Gena B Usenheimer

Practice Areas

Wage-Hour Litigation, Single and Multi-Plaintiff Litigation, Transactional Risk Insurance

Career

Gena co-created and now co-chairs the Firm’s Transactional Risk Insurance practice group, which serves, primarily, as underwriting counsel in the issuance of representation and warranty insurance policies. Under her leadership, the practice has grown to serve ~90% of the market and draws on the expertise of over 60 Seyfarth attorneys worldwide. The Transactional Risk Insurance group has significantly expanded its offerings over the last two years, now supporting clients as underwriting counsel on contingent risk and tax insurance policies as well as in leading the defense in coverage disputes.

Gena also defends employers in single and multi-plaintiff discrimination matters. For instance, Gena recently emerged victorious from a trial before the New York State Division of Human Rights, a notoriously claimant-friendly forum. Gena also represents employers in complex class and collective action litigations, focusing on discrimination and wage and hour matters. Recent highlights include successfully defeating class action certification in three state court pregnancy discrimination cases. As to wage and hour, Gena’s practice focuses on New York specific concerns, as well as the misclassification of exempt employees and independent contractors.

Professional Memberships

New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers (Member); New York City Bar Association (Member).

Publications

Co-Host, “Into the Breach” an RWI Podcast; Contributing Author, “Wage & Hour Litigation Blog”; Frequent CLE presenter.