Leni D. Battaglia
A seasoned litigator and trusted legal advisor, Leni D. Battaglia defends employers in courts and tribunals around the United States. Leni also develops litigation-avoidance strategies for clients across industries, including financial services, technology, retail and ecommerce, hospitality, and entertainment. He works with industry groups, trade associations, and employers to enact, modify, and challenge laws and legislation affecting the workplace. Leni serves as co-leader of the firm's fashion and luxury brands team, as well as joint defense initiatives for retail and restaurant trade associations. In addition to representative wage and hour matters, Leni litigates harassment, discrimination, disability, retaliation, and whistleblower claims. He also represents clients in contract, noncompete, and trade secret matters.
In the realm of preventative practice, Leni counsels on predictive scheduling and just cause laws, workplace misconduct and sexual harassment, classification and compensation, restrictive covenants, and employment policies. He regularly conducts internal audits and navigates employers through investigations brought by federal, state, and city agencies. Leni also conducts trainings and works with employers to create safe, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. Leni frequently comments in the news media and writes articles on these subjects.
Leni received his J.D. with honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law, where he was notes and comments editor of the Connecticut Law Review, a national competitor for the Connecticut Moot Court board, and on the executive board of the Public Interest Law Group. Prior to law school, Leni conducted social science research in Brazil as a recipient of the congressional David L. Boren Scholarship. He is conversant in Spanish and Portuguese.
- University of Connecticut School of Law, 2005, J.D., with Honors
- Old Dominion University, 2001, B.A., magna cum laude
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- US District Court for the District of New Jersey
- US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- US District Court for the Southern District of New York


Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law - Management, New York (2025, 2026)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation – Labor and Employment, New York (2024–2026)
Member, Law360, Practice Group of the Year, Employment (2017, 2019)
Listed, Super Lawyers, Rising Star: New York Metro Area (2013–2017)
Honoree, Pro Bono Service, New York Empire State Counsel (2007–2010, 2013–2014)
2013 Award for Pro Bono Service, New York City Family Court
2006 Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service, Legal Aid Society of NY
Member, American Bar Association
Member, New York State Bar Association
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the selection methodology for the above awards can be found here.
