Atty. Michael Jakowsky
Michael Jakowsky is a principal in the New York City, New York, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He partners with clients on all aspects of their workplace strategy, from proactive advice, counsel and training to litigation defense and transactional support.
Employment Law Management Attorney · Serving New York, NY
Profile Summary
About Michael Jakowsky at a Glance
Michael Jakowsky is a employment attorney based in New York, New York, practicing at Jackson Lewis PC. Educated at Hofstra University (J.D., 2006). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026). Serves clients in New York, NY and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Michael Jakowsky
- Michael Jakowsky is a principal in the New York City, New York, office of Jackson Lewis P.C
- He partners with clients on all aspects of their workplace strategy, from proactive advice, counsel and training to litigation defense and transactional support
- Michael wants his clients to know they can rely on him for support—no matter the concern
- Aspiring to become an extension of his client’s team, Michael prioritizes gaining a thorough understanding of their business to find solutions and achieve results consistent with their goals, legal needs, and culture
- Proactive counseling is a key to maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws
- Michael works with management teams to achieve compliance with a particular focus on wage and hour, including the FLSA, as well as disability leave management (including the FMLA), and reductions-in-force (including WARN)
- A key focus of Michael’s practice involves helping clients faced with implementing reductions-in-force and reorganizations
- He serves as national counsel to clients conducting workforce reductions—attempting to achieve the delicate balance of minimizing the potential for litigation while fostering positive employee relations
- When the COVID-19 crisis forced many businesses to consider headcount reductions to weather the pandemic, Michael led the firm’s Managing Your Work Force and WARN Act Compliance Task Force to ensure clients received the information and support needed to make informed decisions
- Michael is often consulted on purchase and sale transactions to work with clients’ transactional counsel on employment due diligence, WARN/RIF, immigration, and union implications of transactions
- If litigation of any type becomes unavoidable, Michael seamlessly transitions to defender—leveraging his litigation experience and knowledge of the client’s business to defend against single plaintiff and class actions covering a wide range of employment related claims, including wage and hour, WARN, discrimination, wrongful discharge, breach of contract and other claims
- Michael represents numerous banks and brings a sophisticated understanding of the financial industry’s unique employment challenges and trends, delivering advice tailored to his clients’ needs and environment
Practice Areas Explained
Michael Jakowsky's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael Jakowsky handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in New York.
Employment Law in New York
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Michael Jakowsky is one of 167,770 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in New York →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in New York
Practicing law in New York. Legal matters in New York are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in New York are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate New York state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in New York brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in New York courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
New York Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a New York-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in New York Choose Michael Jakowsky
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Michael Jakowsky's practice in the field of employment.
Focused Employment Practice
Concentrating on employment means Michael Jakowsky's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in New York
A New York-based practice means Michael Jakowsky attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Michael Jakowsky Handles in New York
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Michael Jakowsky has experience with under New York law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Michael Jakowsky directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Michael Jakowsky Online
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Michael Jakowsky's Practice Areas & Specializations
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