Stephen J Jones

Practice Areas

Steve Jones is a trusted advisor and experienced trial attorney representing employers of every size. Steve leads the firm’s Labor & Employment Class Action Team and is regularly called upon to defend “bet the company,” high-stakes litigation. His experience includes defense of approximately 100 class actions and collective actions under the FLSA, ERISA, FCRA, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. His practice also includes extensive non-competition and trade secret litigation and defense of whistleblower, discrimination, and sexual harassment claims in state and federal courts and before the EEOC, DOL, and state human rights agencies. Steve has developed innovative auditing methodologies in wage-hour and EEO areas (including statistical pay equity analysis), thereby reducing or eliminating his clients’ exposure to class action litigation and EEOC systemic discrimination enforcement actions.

Steve has been recognized for exceptional standing in the legal community by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business for Labor & Employment (Upstate New York) and is one of only three attorneys to receive Chambers’ highest “Band 1” rating in Upstate New York based on interviews of clients and peer review (2019-2021). He has also been named to the 2017–2021 editions of Best Lawyers in America (Litigation-Labor and Employment) and to the 2014–2021 editions of Super Lawyers (Employment Litigation Defense) based on peer review and professional achievement. In 2014, the New York Law Journal chose Steve for its Rising Stars Award—the only Rochester attorney to receive the award that year, based on his contributions to the practice of law. His practice has been profiled by the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. To read more, click here. Steve is recognized as an industry thought leader, regularly providing commentary to the news media on legal developments, presenting CLEs, and publishing articles advocating for specific legislative or legal reforms.‎

Steve served for over a year on special assignment as in-house counsel to Eastman Kodak Company, where he was responsible for managing external counsel and counseling business units. This experience has proven invaluable in understanding the pressures and budgetary constraints placed on his in-house clients.

Mission

My mission, above all else, is to achieve my clients’ business objectives while pursuing excellence in the practice of law. I don’t just “represent” my clients; I partner with them. I believe clients are entitled to “no surprises.” Accordingly, I dedicate my practice to constant client contact, transparency and accountability.

I understand that the most efficient way to resolve litigation is not always the most obvious. It is critical from the outset, therefore, to develop a defense strategy that is carefully calibrated to achieve trial and/or settlement advantage while remaining attentive always to my clients’ overall business objectives. It’s the foundation of any successful defense and my personal promise to clients.

Community Activity

Steve is highly active in community leadership. He has served for six years on the Board of Directors of Volunteers of America, Upstate New York (“VOA”), holding at various times the positions of Vice Chair, Corporate Secretary, and Chair of the Governance Committee. Steve recently completed the Board Leadership Program, Center for Community Engagement, St. John Fisher College. Prior to VOA, Steve served for three years as the President of the Board of Directors of Step by Step, a Rochester-based organization dedicated to assisting and rehabilitating incarcerated women. Steve led this organization through the Great Recession, at a time when government funding and private donations dropped precipitously. He also helped spearhead a merger between Step by Step and VOA in 2012. He has served on the Judiciary Committee of the Monroe County Bar Association. In 2009, Steve was selected to the Rochester Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award in recognition of his civic and professional achievement. Steve also served as a coach and mentor to high school students in the Monroe County Law Explorers Program for over five years. He actively represents several community-based, nonprofit organizations on a pro bono basis.

Career

Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., cum laude

St. John Fisher College, B.A., cum laude

Professional Memberships

Mr. Jones is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the Monroe County Bar Association.