Nicole M. Grzeskowiak

Nicole is a partner in the firm’s Employment and Labor practice, where she brings a results-driven approach to representing public and private sector clients in a wide array of employment, labor, and civil rights matters. She has extensive experience advising and defending municipalities, government officials, employers, and individual employees in complex litigation. Nicole’s practice encompasses workplace disputes involving harassment, retaliation, whistleblower claims, wrongful termination, and wage and hour violations, as well as discrimination claims based on race, gender, disability, age, pregnancy, religion, and national origin.

Nicole’s public sector work includes serving as legal counsel to municipalities, public entities, and law enforcement agencies in litigation arising under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act and state and federal civil rights and employment statutes. She regularly defends against claims of excessive force, false arrest, and malicious prosecution, and provides day-to-day guidance to public officials on legal compliance, personnel management, and liability prevention. Her deep understanding of governmental operations and constitutional law enables her to develop legal strategies that minimize risk while protecting institutional integrity.

In addition to her litigation practice, Nicole is highly regarded for her proactive counsel on employment law compliance and workplace best practices. She conducts internal investigations into allegations of misconduct, including harassment and discrimination, and partners with clients to implement sound human resources policies, procedures, and training. Her practical, solution-oriented advice helps organizations navigate disciplinary decisions, terminations, wage compliance, and labor negotiations with confidence and clarity.

Nicole earned her undergraduate degree cum laude from Villanova University and her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, where she distinguished herself as Symposium Editor of the Circuit Review and excelled in advocacy competitions. She was awarded Best Brief in Appellate Advocacy and was a Quarter-Finalist and Best Petitioner’s Brief recipient in the Eugene Gressman Moot Court Competition. She began her legal career as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Colleen M. Flynn, J.S.C., in Middlesex County, gaining valuable insight into trial procedure and judicial reasoning that continues to inform her practice.

 Areas of Focus

Employment Litigation

• Represents employers and employees in workplace disputes involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and hostile work environments
• Defends against wage and hour claims, whistleblower actions, and breach of employment agreements
• Litigates claims of unlawful discrimination based on race, sex, disability, age, pregnancy, religion, and other protected classes

Public Entity & Civil Rights Defense

• Defends municipalities, law enforcement, and public agencies in Title 59 and federal civil rights litigation
• Handles high-exposure claims involving excessive force, false arrest, and malicious prosecution
• Provides counsel on risk mitigation, policy development, and compliance with state and federal laws

Employment Counseling & Compliance

• Conducts internal investigations into employee complaints involving discrimination, harassment, and other workplace misconduct
• Provides workplace training
• Negotiates collective bargaining agreements
• Advises employers on employee discipline, terminations, compensation, and HR compliance
• Counsels public and private sector clients on labor relations and represents clients before the Civil Service Commission, PERC, and National Labor Relations Board

 

Affiliations

• New Jersey State Bar Association
• Middlesex County Bar Association, Trustee (2024-Present)

Awards

• New Jersey Law Journal, New Leaders of the Bar, 2021
• New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, 2019-Present

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