Leni D. Battaglia
Leni D. Battaglia is a seasoned litigator and trusted legal advisor, specializing in defending employers in courts and tribunals across the United States. He excels in developing litigation-avoidance strategies for clients in various industries, including financial services, technology, retail and ecommerce, hospitality, and entertainment. Leni collaborates with industry groups, trade associations, and employers to enact, modify, and challenge workplace-related laws and legislation. He serves as co-leader of the firm's fashion and luxury brands team and spearheads joint defense initiatives for retail and restaurant trade associations. His litigation knowledge encompasses wage and hour matters, as well as harassment, discrimination, disability, retaliation, and whistleblower claims. Additionally, Leni represents clients in contract, noncompete, and trade secret disputes.
In preventative practice, Leni advises on predictive scheduling and just cause laws, workplace misconduct and sexual harassment, classification and compensation, restrictive covenants, and employment policies. He conducts internal audits and guides employers through investigations by federal, state, and city agencies. Leni also provides training and collaborates with employers to foster safe, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. He is a frequent media commentator and author on these topics.
Leni earned his J.D. with honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law, where he served as notes and comments editor of the Connecticut Law Review, competed nationally for the Connecticut Moot Court board, and was on the executive board of the Public Interest Law Group. Before 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.
