Nick is co-leader of the firm’s Business Services Group. He practices primarily in the area of labor and employment law and has extensive experience counseling, representing, and training employers on all aspects of the employment relationship. Nick also has experience representing employers in traditional labor matters including negotiating collective bargaining agreements, arbitrating grievances, and defending unfair labor practice complaints. His clients range from small to large companies in various industries such as banking, health care, education, manufacturing, engineering, retail, construction, and non-profit organizations.
Working closely with C-level executives, in-house counsel, human resource professionals and business owners, Nick provides pragmatic advice on compliance and preventative strategies related to virtually every type of employment issue including: managing employees with medical issues; workplace investigations; discrimination and harassment; hiring and employee discipline; handling retaliation/whistleblower issues; workforce restructuring and downsizing; drafting employment, retention, separation, non-competition, confidentiality, change in control, and independent contractor agreements; wage and hour compliance; and labor law. Nick regularly conducts training on these issues, tailoring the programs to address the employer’s needs.
Nick’s practice also focuses on representing clients in the education sector, including independent private schools and universities. He works closely with heads of schools, deans, and other school administrators on student and employee disciplinary matters, investigations of wrongdoing, employment contracts, enrollment agreements, child abuse and neglect allegations, and a myriad of other day-to-day compliance and risk management issues.
In 2024, Nick successfully completed 40 hours of Mediation Skills Training from the Quinnipiac School of Law Center on Dispute Resolution.
“Domenico Zaino is frequently sought out for representation by employers in sexual harassment and retaliation claims. He also handles WARN Act disputes and discrimination cases.”
– Chambers USA 2023
Connecticut Bar Association – Board of Governors, 2015-2016
Past Chair of the Connecticut Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section and current Ex-Officio Executive Committee Member
American Bar Association – Labor and Employment Section
Best Lawyers® – Employment Law: Management, 2021-2025
Ranked in Chambers USA Guide – Labor & Employment, Connecticut, 2010-2024
Who’s Who Legal: Labour and Employment and Thought Leader, 2015-2024
Connecticut Super Lawyers® – Employment & Labor, 2010-2024
Counseled a large, regional employer on planning and implementation of all aspects of a company-wide reduction in force, including conducting a disparate impact analysis, WARN Act obligations, severance agreements, and notices to employees.
Counseled client through labor union representation petition and negotiated first labor contract.
Conducted extensive reviews and audits of wage and hour practices and coordinated large-scale reclassification of exempt positions.
Conducted extensive revisions of policies and practices for multi-state employer relating to FMLA, criminal background checks, hiring forms, and paid time off policies.
Obtained numerous dismissals of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation complaints.
Successful representation of employers in Department of Labor audits and complaints on wage and hour issues, and issues related to the classification of workers as independent contractors.