
Michael S. Arnold
(he/him/his)
Member / Chair, Employment, Labor & Benefits Practice
+1.212.692.6866
Michael Arnold is Chair of the firm's Employment, Labor & Benefits Practice. He is an employment lawyer who deftly handles a wide array of matters. His capabilities include counseling on everyday HR life cycle issues, defending management and senior executives in connection with employment-related proceedings, and assisting companies navigate the complex employment issues that arise in transactions. Michael’s clients appreciate his strong emphasis on providing not just legal advice, but also practical advice, that aligns with organizational and HR strategies while reducing exposure. He also prides himself on being user-friendly, responsive, and strategic.
When Michael is not with a client, he’s out there leading the Firm’s Employment, Labor and Benefits Section. He is still quite active blogging for Mintz’s award-winning Employment Matters Blog, where he currently serves as an Editor and where he’s twice been named a top author by JD Supra (2016 and 2017). His peers seem to like him too as they have recognized him consistently; first he was included on the New York Super Lawyers Rising Star List in 2012 and then included among the New York Super Lawyers List from 2013 through the present.
More specifically, here is what Michael is practicing on a day to day basis:
- Counseling on issues related to the HR life cycle (recruiting, staffing, performance, including evaluations and PIPs; engagement, retention, separation, including reduction in force; post-separation, including employee mobility issues), and compliance with discrimination, wage and hour, family and medical leave, workers’ compensation and disability, and other employment laws and regulations.
- Investigating and reporting on employee complaints, including sexual harassment and discrimination complaints, and assisting management resolve other employee relations issues.
- Conducting anti-discrimination/harassment and other HR and legal issue-based training seminars regarding legal requirements, best practices, and risk mitigation.
- Auditing and assisting in the development and implementation of employment policies, procedures, and practices.
- Representing management and senior executives in connection with a variety of complex employment litigation matters, including pre-trial, trial and appellate work; administrative discrimination charges and other agency proceedings (including EEOC, NYSDHR, NYCCHR, DOL, WCB); and arbitrations and mediations relating to wage and hour, discrimination, restrictive covenants, contract, and other employment-related disputes, including collective and class actions.
- Drafting and negotiating employment-related agreements and policies, including offer letters, employment and consulting agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, separation agreements, and employee-related regulatory disclosures.
- Representing clients in connection with corporate transactions and bankruptcy proceedings, including conducting employment-related due diligence and negotiating employment-related warrants and representations and related employment transaction documents.
Education
- Boston University School of Law (JD)
- Cornell University (BS, Industrial and Labor Relations)
Recognition & Awards
- Included on the New York Super Lawyers: Employment & Labor List (2019 - 2021)
- Chambers USA: New York – Labor & Employment, Up and Coming (2021)
Viewpoints
NYC Council Amends Salary Range Transparency Law; Delays Implementation Date
May 3, 2022 | Blog | By Michael Arnold, Corbin Carter, Danielle Dillon
New York City Commission on Human Rights Provides Salary Range Transparency Act Guidance
April 11, 2022 | Blog | By Danielle Dillon, Evan Piercey, Michael Arnold, Jennifer Rubin
Supreme Court Blocks OSHA Vaccine Rule for Large Employers
January 13, 2022 | Blog | By Michael Arnold, Corbin Carter
(Updated) A Comprehensive Breakdown of OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccination Rule
January 12, 2022 | Blog | By Michael Arnold, Jennifer Rubin, David Barmak, Corbin Carter, Evan Piercey, Danielle Bereznay, Danielle Dillon, Nicole Rivers, Paul Huston, Emma Follansbee
New York State Department of Health Issues Updated Interim COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance
January 7, 2022 | Blog | By Evan Piercey, Corbin Carter, Michael Arnold
(Updated) Shorter COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Periods Will Impact Workplaces
January 6, 2022 | Blog | By Nicole Rivers, Michael Arnold, Jennifer Rubin
New York Department of Labor Issues Proposed Regulations for HERO Act Workplace Safety Committee Requirement
January 4, 2022 | Blog | By Evan Piercey, Michael Arnold
Mayor-Elect Eric Adams Plans to Enforce New York City’s Private Employer Vaccine Mandate
December 31, 2021 | Blog | By Evan Piercey, Michael Arnold
New York City Updates its Vaccine Executive Order Guidance
December 23, 2021 | Blog | By Michael Arnold, Evan Piercey
New York City Council Passes Salary Range Transparency Law
December 23, 2021 | Blog | By Danielle Dillon, Michael Arnold
News & Press
Interview Icebreakers Can Land You in Hot Water
June 1, 2021
Disciplining Workers for Lies About Vaccinations
May 4, 2021
Making the Case for Return to Office
March 30, 2021
Counsel Who Care: How Attys Are Helping During A Crisis
June 16, 2020
4 Slam-Dunk Tips For Employers To Swish March Madness
March 15, 2018
Eighteen Mintz Attorneys Named 2013 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
September 16, 2017
Mintz Named Top Firm in Energy and Eleven Attorneys Featured in JD Supra’s 2017 Reader’s Choice Awards
March 20, 2017
How to Proceed After Last-Minute Overtime Rule Freeze
November 23, 2016
White Collar OT Rules
May 19, 2016
Mintz Elevates Ten Attorneys to Members of the Firm
May 16, 2013
Events
