
Overview
James Leva, a labor and employment lawyer, regularly defends employers against all types of employment-related claims, including discrimination, harassment, whistleblower and retaliation claims. He represents clients before state and federal courts, as well as government agencies. James has represented employers of all sizes from a number of different industries, including the financial, telecommunications, retail, pharmaceutical, logistics, manufacturing and insurance industries.
In addition to handling complex employment litigation, James routinely counsels employers on day-to-day compliance with the spectrum of laws governing the employer-employee relationship. He also regularly assists companies with protecting their confidential information and trade secrets. James has successfully represented companies and individuals in injunction hearings arising from and related to non-disclosure, non-competition, non-solicitation and other restrictive covenant agreements. He also routinely works with clients to prepare such agreements and to strategize the onboarding and offboarding of employees subject to restrictive covenants.
James has substantial experience counseling employers on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance and with OSHA investigations. He defends employers with OSHA whistleblower cases and before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Experience
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Successfully defended Fortune 500 company against retaliation claims in 5-day bench trial
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of Fortune 500 company on age discrimination claim
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of large employer on former employee's hostile work environment, and race and age discrimination claims
Successfully represented several employers in wage/hour audits before United States Department of Labor and Connecticut Department of Labor
Education and Credentials
Education
- University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D., 2011, Connecticut Law Review, Editor
- The George Washington University, B.A., 2008
Admissions
- State of New Jersey
- State of Connecticut
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
- U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Affiliations
- Connecticut Bar Association
- Oliver Ellsworth Inn of Court
- Human Resource Leadership Association of Eastern Connecticut
- Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey
Recognition and Community
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See Awards Methodology.
Recognitions
Chosen for inclusion on 2024 New Leaders of the Bar Award, ALM/Law.com, 2024
Selected to The Best Lawyers in America list of Ones to Watch (Woodward/White, Inc.) for Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2021-2025; Labor and Employment Law - Management, 2024-2025
News & Insights
Thought Leadership
- New Year, New Employment Law Updates: New York's 2025 Updates , February 6, 2025
- New Jersey's New Pay Transparency Law Is on the Horizon , November 20, 2024
- A Mostly Quiet Year for Employment Laws During Connecticut's 2024 Legislative Session , October 21, 2024
- NLRB GC Proposes Significant Penalties for Employers' Use of Non-Compete and Stay-or-Pay Agreements , October 11, 2024
- Texas Court Invalidates FTC Noncompete Rule Nationwide , August 21, 2024
Events
- 2023 Annual Employment and Labor Conference, June 7, 2023
- Day Pitney's Annual Employment and Labor Conference Session 2, June 16, 2022
News
- Day Pitney Partner James Leva Recognized as a New Leader of the Bar in New Jersey, September 5, 2024
- Day Pitney Names New Chairs of Cannabis Practice Group, January 17, 2024
- Eleven Day Pitney Attorneys Elevated to Firm Partnership for 2023, January 3, 2023
- James M. Leva, January 3, 2023
- Day Pitney Represents TriStruX LLC in Sale to Huron Capital, December 23, 2021
In The Media
Publications
- DOL Issues Final Overtime Rule, CBIA News, May 23, 2016
- Department of Labor Issues Final Overtime Expansion Rule, Day Pitney Alert, May 18, 2016
- Connecticut Enacts Employee Online Privacy Law, Employee Relations Law Journal, August 19, 2015
- Connecticut Enacts Employee Online Privacy Law, Employee Relations Law Journal, May 21, 2015
Media Mentions
- Meet NJ Law Journal's New Leaders of the Bar, New Jersey Law Journal , October 30, 2024
- Employee's Medical Marijuana Termination Claim Goes Up in Smoke, April 15, 2024
- Connecticut Movers: New Partners and Practice Chairs, Connecticut Law Tribune, January 18, 2024
- Day Pitney Names New Chairs of Cannabis Practice Group - Attorney At Law Magazine, Attorney At Law Magazine, January 17, 2024
- Day Pitney Selects New Leaders For Cannabis Practice Group, Law360, January 17, 2024
- Day Pitney's Cannabis Practice Leaders, Law.com, January 18, 2024
- New Partners Yearbook 2023, New Jersey Law Journal, New Jersey Law Journal, March 2, 2023
- Day Pitney Elevates 11 To Partner, Law360 Pulse, January 3, 2023
- Day Pitney Real Estate, Land Use Lawyer in New Jersey Named Partner, Real Estate NJ, January 4, 2023
- Eleven Day Pitney Attorneys Elevated to Firm Partnership in 2023, The Boca Raton Tribune, January 4, 2023
- CT gets on board with e-pay cards, The Hartford Business Journal, October 10, 2016
- New payday option in Conn. - put it on plastic, The Stamford Advocate, October 5, 2016
Speaking Engagements
- Employment Matters - Travel Tuesday: Doing Business in Connecticut, November 19, 2024
- 2023 Annual Employment and Labor Conference, June 7, 2023
- Employment Matters – Travel Tuesdays: Doing Business in Connecticut, August 9, 2022