Linda Prestegaard

Practice Areas

A dynamic labor and employment lawyer, Linda has earned a reputation for understanding her client’s business and seeking practical solutions to immediate legal issues while bearing in mind her client’s long term goals.

Linda takes a proactive approach to avoiding employment discrimination claims by offering energetic and memorable training on avoiding sexual and other harassment in the workplace by incorporating real-life employment examples. She also conducts training on wage and hour compliance and human resources best practices.

Clients recognize Linda’s sound understanding of their business operations, and how she uses that knowledge to provide practical legal advice.

In the event an employment discrimination claim is made, Linda has experience representing employers in higher education, health care, manufacturing, construction and workforce development, among other sectors, in federal and state courts and agency proceedings defending Title VII, Equal Pay Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Family and Medical Leave Act and New York Human Rights Law claims. Linda is also experienced in handling collective and class actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act and New York Labor Law, as well as investigations and actions by the federal and state Departments of Labor. She has represented construction clients in prevailing wage matters, Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigations and Davis-Bacon audits. Linda has represented higher education institutions with her work on faculty tenure and contract disputes, investigations of claims of misconduct and civil rights violations, regulatory compliance, faculty and staff handbooks, appointment letters and affirmative action plans.

Linda represents management in traditional labor matters, conducting training regarding concerted activity, union awareness and campaigns, collective bargaining, labor arbitrations, National Labor Relations Board proceedings and Labor Management Relations Act litigations and advising regarding strikes. She also has extensive experience investigating claims of harassment, discrimination, workplace misconduct and other confidential issues.

Career

Joined firm in 1998 and has been a Partner since 2004.

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, Litigation Section; Connecticut Bar Association; Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys; National Association of College and University Attorneys; New York City Bar Association; New York State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, Trial Lawyers Section

Personal

Cornell Law School, J.D. 1988 and Tufts University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1985