I'm an employment lawyer with 30 years of experience based in the greater New York City area.
I have worked as a state prosecutor and as an in-house, human resources attorney. I have been associated with a number of small law firms in addition to a 200 lawyer firm. I was the human resources director conducting internal investigations for a professional employer organization. I have founded and directed 3 law firms in 3 different states.
I am very familiar with the financial services, health care, union represented civil service, manufacturing, higher education, and sales industries. In addition to federal court litigation, mediation, and arbitration I help employees and small employers with the application of employment policies and procedures. More employers choose to apply covenants not to compete, enforce trade secrets and duties of loyalty, in order to protect legitimate business interests.
One of the most challenging things we do as employment lawyers is the reality check. We tell employees that unless they work for the government, are covered by union collective bargaining agreements, or have entered private employment contracts, their employers don't need a reason to fire them. That's correct. An employer does not have to give most employees any reason when firing them. Many employees find this surprising.
I search for sufficient facts, usually proven with circumstantial evidence, to determine whether potential clients might have suffered discrimination prohibited by Title VII, the ADA, FMLA, ADEA, EPA, FRA, PDA, or unpaid wages covered by the FLSA or New York's Labor Laws.
- Valparaiso University School of Law
- J.D. (1988) | Law
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- University of South Florida
- MBA (1983) | Business Administration
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- Indiana University - Indiana University-Bloomington
- B.S. (1980) | Psychology, Business Administration
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- Labor and Employment Attorney
- Urba Law PLLC
- - Current
- My practice is limited to labor and employment law matters. I litigate in federal court, represent clients at administrative proceedings, and have been certified as a court mediator. Most clients do not wish to spend years in court although sometimes that is the only option.
- Discrimination Attorney
- Law Offices of Jonas Urba, P.A.
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- Represented the most discriminated segment of the population at that time.
- Labor and Employment Attorney
- Modern Business Associates, Inc.
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- EEOC, Title VII, Department of Labor, sexual harassment, employment discrimination, employer policies and procedures, unemployment, internal and external employee conduct investigations
- Labor and Employment Attorney
- Fowler White Boggs Banker, P.A.
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- Represented carriers and employers.
- Labor and Employment Attorney
- Miller Kagan Rodriguez & Silver, P.A.
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- Represented carriers and employers.
- Labor and Employment Attorney
- Law Office of Jonas Urba, P.C.
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- Employment discrimination, EEOC, Title VII, ADA, severance agreements, agency administrative actions, unemployment, sexual harassment, FLSA, FMLA
- Labor and Employment Attorney
- McCrea & Keck, LLC
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- Represented carriers and employers.
- Assistant General Counsel
- State of Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
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- Civil servant. Represented management and human resources in agency administrative actions, public employees relations commission actions, federal, state, and administrative forums.
- Labor and Employment Attorney
- Law Office of Joseph A. Vassallo, P.A.
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- Represented injured and disabled employees at administrative agency actions and drafted documents to resolve claims.
- Assistant State Attorney
- 20th Judicial Circuit Office of the State Attorney
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- Prosecuted criminal cases.
- The Glory Days of PUBLIC SERVICE
- Westchester Lawyer magazine
- Do Statutory Rights Mean What They Say?
- Florida Bar - Administrative Law Section Newsletter
- Strategies to Protect Non-Traditional Families, University of Miami Law School / NCLR, Miami, Florida
- NCLR
- Florida continuing legal education workshop / seminar. Panel member / speaker.
- Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil and County Court Mediator (2004 - 2010)
- Florida Supreme Court
- Jonas Urba mentioned for helping a pregnant Planned Parenthood employee
- New York Times
- The New York Times published a story about pregnant employees losing their jobs at Planned Parenthood. The Times mentioned that I had resolved such a claim.
- Highest Scholastic Achievement
- Valparaiso University School of Law
- National Employment Lawyers Association, New York
- Member
- Current
- New York City Bar Association
- Member
- Current
- New York State Bar Association # 4974333
- Member
- Current
- Westchester County Bar Association
- Member
- Current
- Colorado
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- Florida
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- Massachusetts
- New York
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
- Free Consultation
Initial telephone conference. - Credit Cards Accepted
All major credit cards. - Contingent Fees
The facts of each case determine whether contingent fees are appropriate. Litigation always costs money and someone must pay. The type of case and amount of potential damages determine fees. - Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Fees can be flat fees, hourly fees, contingent fees, or hybrid agreements. They can include reduced hourly and multiple other combinations.
- Employment Law
- Arbitration & Mediation
- English: Spoken, Written
Employment Law Reality Check Sales Professionals Losing JobsSales professionals in their 50s and 60s are losing their jobs. Many think age discrimination but an employment lawyer might uncover something else.
Employment Law Reality Check Probationary Teachers AdministratorsProbationary teachers and administrators may have Taylor Law issues. Collective bargaining agreements should be reviewed.
Employment Law Reality Check Physician Nurse Practitioner Non competePhysician and nurse practitioner non-compete agreements. You likely have one. Ask an employment lawyer to review it with you.
Employment Law Reality Check Switching LawyersSwitching employment lawyers. Can you do that if you now feel you made a mistake? What to consider.
Employment Law Reality Check Severance Pay in New YorkNo law requires severance pay in New York. Many employees think there are guidelines when none exist in most cases.
Employment Law Reality Check Stress at WorkStressed at work? Don't act before discussing your specific facts with employment lawyers.
Employment Law Reality Check New York City Human Rights Law 2New York City's Human Rights Law gives employees much more protection. If you work in any of the 5 Boroughs you are probably covered.
Employment Law Reality Check Media AttentionMedia attention can be a bad thing. Employees sometimes don't consider the down side. Some things to consider.
Employment Law Reality Check Workplace BullyingBullying laws don't exist in most workplaces. Your employer doesn't have to be nice to you and they don't have to give you a reason before firing you.
