Attorney Garrison founded the law firm in 1975. From the beginning of his career, he has represented individuals. Employment law became an important part of his activities, and after some early successes he has concentrated his practice in this field. Mr. Garrison has tried numerous employment cases to conclusion before juries, as well as before arbitrators in arbitration proceedings. He is experienced in the federal and state trial courts of Connecticut.
Since 2003, Mr. Garrison has increasingly acted as a mediator and an arbitrator. He is a panel member on the American Arbitration Association's selective list of mediators and arbitrators. His experience in these procedures has further enhanced his ability to represent clients at all levels of employment in negotiations and other settlement processes.
The year 2007 will be the 20th consecutive year that Mr. Garrison has been listed in The Best Lawyers In America. Placement in Best Lawyers results from peer selection and represents the top 1% of lawyers in the particular listed fields. In addition, Mr. Garrison was selected as a Connecticut Super Lawyer, and within that group he earned a spot in the top 50 lawyers in the state. Because of his jury trial work, he has also been selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates, an honorary group in which he is the only lawyer selected in Connecticut who represents employees in employment matters.
Mr. Garrison has been writing a monthly column for the Connecticut Law Tribune since 2003, concentrating on issues in arbitration law and procedure. He contributed a chapter to Connecticut's Mediation Practice Book on mediation from the employee's perspective. He has acted as a book reviewer for works on alternate dispute resolution, arbitration, and jury instructions for employment litigation.
Mr. Garrison is also a nationally-known speaker. He has spoken annually at various seminars, including New York University Law School's employment law workshop for federal judges, the National Employment Lawyers Association's (NELA) conventions, and the Law Education Institute seminar for employment law. He has also spoken at many American Bar Association annual meetings and seminars, and is a frequent lecturer in Connecticut.
In his legal career, Mr. Garrison has been selected as an officer in a number of national and local organizations. The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers welcomes the most prominent lawyers in the field as its Fellows. Mr. Garrison was a Charter Fellow in the College's Board of Governors, and served as its national President. He has also served for three years as President of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), the specialty bar for employee advocates. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association.
Representative Matters
Arthur Rosenfield v. Yale University
Dr. Rosenfield had been disciplined and demoted because of his patient care advocacy. After a seven-week trial, a jury awarded both compensatory and punitive damages, which eventually totaled approximately $6.3 million.
Sol Hicks v. Chesebrough-Ponds
Race discrimination case on behalf of African-American lead chemist who was wrongly accused of misconduct by his white co-workers. Jury award of $600,000 by all-white jury.
Michael Kuselias v. SNET
Wrongful termination and defamation case resulting in jury award of $580,000 for infliction of emotional distress and damage to reputation.
Kim Persky v. Cendant Corp.
Interference with rights under Connecticut and federal family medical leave laws when employer refused to restore client to her previous position and failed to find any equivalent job. The Connecticut Supreme Court affirmed the Connecticut Department of Labor's award of $500,000 and affirmed employee-friendly burden of proof in this case of first impression.
Maria D'Ullise-Cupo v. Notre Dame High School
Established a new tort in employment law - the tort of negligent misrepresentation.
Brian Smith v. Cox Radio
Arbitration award of contract damages and $300,000 for defamation to high-profile morning radio talk show host. The award was affirmed in state court.
Publications and Lectures
Connecticut Law Tribune Articles by Joseph D. Garrison
Mazadoorian Chapter Contribution on Mediation by Joseph D. Garrison
