Michael Tiliakos
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Prior to forming Rao Tiliakos LLP, Michael Tiliakos was a Senior Labor and Employment Associate in the New York office of Seyfarth Shaw LLP where he was an active member of the Firm’s hiring committee, Diversity Action Team, pro bono program, management-training subsidiary (“Seyfarth Shaw At Work”), and Summer Associate Mentor Program. While at Seyfarth Shaw, he served as lead senior associate in several significant collective actions brought under the FLSA, including a FLSA collective action against the City of New York.
Prior to joining Seyfarth Shaw, he served as an Assistant Corporation Counsel with the New York City Law Department, where he handled matters ranging from workers’ compensation to employment discrimination cases and civil rights violations. In 1997, he received an award from the Corporation Counsel in recognition of his outstanding performance and dedication.
He has significant experience representing both private and municipal clients in employment actions, including class and collective actions, brought under local, state and federal anti-discrimination statutes, and in civil rights cases such as false arrest, excessive use of force, malicious prosecution, selective enforcement and First Amendment retaliation. His trial experience includes four federal jury trials, including a July 2008 defense verdict in a large FLSA collective action concerning the exempt status of select groups of sergeants in the New York City Police Department.
In addition to being an experienced litigator, Michael conducts extensive employee and management training courses, including anti-harassment training and courses on how to effectively manage employees in accordance with various employment laws. He also counsels clients on compliance with federal, state and local employment laws and conducts workplace investigations and wage and hour audits.
Education
J.D., New York Law School, cum laude (1996)
B.A., Pennsylvania State University, with honors (1993)
Admissions
New York
New Jersey
Courts
U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Affiliations
New York State Bar Association
Hellenic Lawyers Association, Board Member
Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
Workshop in Business Opportunities (“WIBO”), Volunteer
Recent Representative Cases
O’Neill & Padaong v. Genesis Logistics, Inc., Alameda Superior Court (2010). Obtained summary judgment against a male and a female employee alleging nine claims including sexual and national origin harassment and retaliation.
Canales v. Panini & Co., U.S. Southern District of New York (2010). New York Rule 23 class action alleging overtime, off-the-clock, minimum wage, and spread of hours violations.
Torres v. DHL Express, et al., New York Supreme Court (2010). Obtained summary judgment in false imprisonment, false arrest, assault and defamation action arising from termination.
Robles v. Goddard Riverside Community Center, U.S. Southern District of New York (2009). Obtained dismissal on an aiding and abetting claim against multiple Board members.
Taylor v. DHL Express (USA) Inc., Los Angeles Superior Court (2009). Obtained dismissal in action alleging negligence, joint employment and ostensible agent liability.
Meixel-West v. Exel, Inc., U.S. Central District of California (2008). Obtained favorable settlement in action alleging sex and pregnancy discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination.
Economou v. Vandoros Ventures, Ltd., d.b.a. Blue Bay Diner et al., U.S. Eastern District of New York (2008). Obtained dismissal of New York class allegations against successor in interest in action alleging overtime and minimum wage violations.
Ruchaevsky v. Costco Wholesale Corp., U.S. District of New Jersey (2008). Obtained summary judgment on claims of national origin and religious discrimination claims, retaliation, hostile work environment and breach of contract.
Mullins et al. v. City of New York et al., U.S. Southern District of New York (2007). FLSA collective action concerning exempt status of Sergeants in the New York City Police Department.
Represented gas station chain in FLSA action brought by the United States Department of Labor for alleged unpaid overtime and “off the clock” work.
Kramer v. Exel, New York Supreme Court (2007). Obtained favorable settlement on client’s behalf on Plaintiff’s claim of defamation and wrongful termination following close of discovery.
Spatola v. Costco Wholesale Corp., Superior Court of New Jersey (2005). Secured voluntary dismissal of action with prejudice on Plaintiff’s claims of disability discrimination under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination and ADA.
Shafer v. TBI Airport Management Inc., U.S. Northern District of New York (2004). Obtained summary judgment on claims of sex and national origin discrimination claims, hostile work environment, retaliation and constructive discharge.
Hildenbrandt v. TBI Airport Management Inc., U.S. Northern District of New York (2004). Obtained summary judgment on claims of sex and national origin discrimination claims, hostile work environment, retaliation and constructive discharge.
Uddin v. City of New York, et al., U.S. Southern District of New York (2001). Obtained summary judgment of Plaintiff’s claim of retaliation.
Wheeler v. City of New York et al., U.S. Southern District of New York (2000). Obtained summary judgment on Plaintiff’s claims of retaliation and discrimination.
Representative Trials
Mullins et al v. City of New York et al., (jury trial), No. 04-CV-2979 (SAS)(THK) (obtained defense verdict in FLSA collective action concerning exempt status of select groups of NYPD sergeants)
Kadesh v. United Airlines et al. (bench trial), No. 02-CV-9058 (KMK) (obtained defense verdict on Plaintiff’s sexual orientation discrimination and retaliation claims)
Cole v. City of New York, New York City Police Department, et al. (jury trial), No. 97-CV-6692 (JMA) (obtained defense verdict on Plaintiff’s 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims)
Uddin v. City of New York, Administration For Children’s Services, et al. (jury trial), No. 99-CV-5843 (GEL) (obtained defense verdict on Plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim)
Hemric v. City of New York, New York City Department of Correction, et al. (jury trial), No. 96-CV-213 (DLC) (defense verdict for individual defendant and favorable verdict for defendant City of New York/Department of Correction on excessive use of force claim)
Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications
The Impact of Healthcare Reform on Your Business, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce (October 2010)
Avoiding Common Mistakes of New York Employment Law, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce (July 2009)
One Salad Bowl: Many Recipes, The Evolving Role of Labor Law in a Changing Economy, Business Outreach Center Network (May 2009)
Co-author, Place Your Bet: The Legality of Office Pools, HR Advisor, West Group (May/June 2007)
Co-author, Child Pornography – An Employer’s Duty to Report, HR Advisor, West Group (September/October 2007)
Employment Discrimination: New NYC Provisions Impose Greater Burdens on Employers, Seyfarth Shaw Tri-State Law Bulletin (September 2006)
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