Joanna Topping is an experienced litigator whose practice focuses on employment and labor law, municipal law, education law, civil rights litigation, appellate advocacy, and complex civil litigation.

Employment & Labor Counsel

For more than 20 years, Joanna has advised and defended public and private employers in matters involving employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower claims, labor relations issues, and civil rights claims.

She regularly represents clients in state and federal courts and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the New York State Division of Human Rights, the Public Employment Relations Board, and other state and federal agencies. She negotiates collective bargaining agreements, handles grievance arbitrations and advises management on the interpretation and administration of complex labor agreements.

Strategic Workplace Counsel

Joanna’s practice includes advising employers and human resources professionals on complex workplace issues before they become litigation. Clients value her practical, business-focused approach and her ability to navigate the intersection of employment law, labor relations, collective bargaining obligations, civil service requirements, and organizational policies.

Municipal & Education Experience

Joanna’s extensive municipal experience includes serving as labor counsel to municipalities and public entities throughout Westchester County and the Hudson Valley, as well as representing one of New York state’s largest school districts.

Joanna’s representative experience includes:

• Obtaining summary judgment on behalf of an employer in a highly publicized case involving discrimination and hostile work environment claims against a supervisor who forced an employee to take inappropriate photographs, which were later published on the front page of the New York Post. Joanna also secured affirmation of the judgment before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Securing defense verdicts in employment discrimination and wrongful termination actions in state and federal courts.
• Obtaining summary judgment and pre-answer dismissals of discrimination, defamation and civil rights claims against municipalities and public and private employers.

In addition to her labor and employment practice, Joanna has significant experience handling personal injury, construction accident (New York Labor Law), premises liability, automobile liability, and product liability matters.