Ephraim J.Pierre
Partner
Labor & Employment
epierre@seyfarth.com
Ephraim partners with employers to manage the risk of complex employment litigation in an ever-changing legal and cultural environment.
More About Ephraim
Effective management of complex employment litigation is key to a productive enterprise, a sustainable workplace culture, and achieving business goals. Complex employment litigation is also subject to an ever-evolving set of laws and social movements, which requires employers to stay nimble and forward-thinking. Clients look to Ephraim for insightful and practical solutions to the legal, strategic, and operational challenges presented by complex employment litigation.
Ephraim has worked with clients in the financial services, media and entertainment, technology, health care, education, retail, energy, and nonprofit industries. Ephraim's experience in representing employers in a variety of industries across the nation provides him with unique insights into the challenges that employers face in complex employment litigation. He has extensive experience with single-plaintiff and class action employment litigation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. For example, Ephraim has won summary judgment or obtain dismissal on a range of employment and contract claims, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims under federal and state law, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) interference and retaliation claims, whistleblower claims, and class action claims under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Additionally, Ephraim has significant experience with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration proceedings representing broker-dealers.
Ephraim has significant first-chair trial experience in federal and state courts as well as arbitration matters. For example, he obtained the dismissal of four out of six claims on a motion for directed verdict and secured a defense jury verdict on the remaining claims of gender discrimination and retaliation for a Fortune 25 client in state court. He has also obtained dismissal of eight of 10 claims in a FINRA arbitration on a motion to dismiss and then obtained a defense verdict following a 16-day arbitration on breach of contract claims against a Fortune 50 client.
Ephraim also regularly provides clients with practical advice on various trending workplace issues, including hiring practices, internal complaints, and investigations involving C-suite executives, workplace training, employment agreements, and background screening.
Ephraim has been recognized by his peers as a leader in his field. Ephraim was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Minority Corporate Counsel Association and the New York Law Journal (ALM Global LLC) in 2023, respectively. Crain’s New York Business (Crain Communications Inc.) also named Ephraim as one of its "40 under 40" honorees for 2023.
Ephraim enjoys working alongside Seyfarth's talented and knowledgeable attorneys, who are as enthusiastic about labor and employment law as he is. Ephraim particularly enjoys defending and vindicating clients at trials and arbitrations. Ephraim is co-chair of Seyfarth's A+ affinity group for the firm's Black attorneys and allies. Ephraim is an advisory board member for Legal Outreach, Inc., a nonprofit organization that serves low-income or minority urban youth from underserved neighborhoods in New York City through a law-based curriculum and academic support. In 2017, he was awarded Seyfarth's "Inspirational Leadership Award" in recognition of his commitment to Legal Outreach, Inc., and for inspiring others to make a difference in the New York City community.
Ephraim has worked with clients in the financial services, media and entertainment, technology, health care, education, retail, energy, and nonprofit industries. Ephraim's experience in representing employers in a variety of industries across the nation provides him with unique insights into the challenges that employers face in complex employment litigation. He has extensive experience with single-plaintiff and class action employment litigation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. For example, Ephraim has won summary judgment or obtain dismissal on a range of employment and contract claims, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims under federal and state law, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) interference and retaliation claims, whistleblower claims, and class action claims under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Additionally, Ephraim has significant experience with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration proceedings representing broker-dealers.
Ephraim has significant first-chair trial experience in federal and state courts as well as arbitration matters. For example, he obtained the dismissal of four out of six claims on a motion for directed verdict and secured a defense jury verdict on the remaining claims of gender discrimination and retaliation for a Fortune 25 client in state court. He has also obtained dismissal of eight of 10 claims in a FINRA arbitration on a motion to dismiss and then obtained a defense verdict following a 16-day arbitration on breach of contract claims against a Fortune 50 client.
Ephraim also regularly provides clients with practical advice on various trending workplace issues, including hiring practices, internal complaints, and investigations involving C-suite executives, workplace training, employment agreements, and background screening.
Ephraim has been recognized by his peers as a leader in his field. Ephraim was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Minority Corporate Counsel Association and the New York Law Journal (ALM Global LLC) in 2023, respectively. Crain’s New York Business (Crain Communications Inc.) also named Ephraim as one of its "40 under 40" honorees for 2023.
Ephraim enjoys working alongside Seyfarth's talented and knowledgeable attorneys, who are as enthusiastic about labor and employment law as he is. Ephraim particularly enjoys defending and vindicating clients at trials and arbitrations. Ephraim is co-chair of Seyfarth's A+ affinity group for the firm's Black attorneys and allies. Ephraim is an advisory board member for Legal Outreach, Inc., a nonprofit organization that serves low-income or minority urban youth from underserved neighborhoods in New York City through a law-based curriculum and academic support. In 2017, he was awarded Seyfarth's "Inspirational Leadership Award" in recognition of his commitment to Legal Outreach, Inc., and for inspiring others to make a difference in the New York City community.
- JD, Boston University School of Law
Litigation & Dispute ResolutionSutherland Cup Moot Court Competition, best team (2012)
- BA, Fordham University
Political Science
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- US District Court, District of New Jersey
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
Related Key Industries
Related News & Insights
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Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
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Recognition
11/01/2023
Seyfarth’s Ephraim Pierre Honored as One of Crain’s New York Business’s “40 Under 40”
-
Speaking Engagement
Oct 27, 2022
Seyfarth Attorneys To Be Panelists at NBA 2022 Labor and Employment Section Annual Conference
-
Recognition
Aug 18, 2022
Seyfarth Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America 2023
- Recognized as a "40 Under 40" by Crain's New York Business (Crain Communications Inc.) (2023)
- Recognized as a "Rising Star" by Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) (2023)
- Recognized as a "Rising Star" by New York Law Journal (ALM Global LLC) (2023)
- Recognized as a "Ones to Watch" lawyer by Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Labor and Employment Law - Management (2021-2024) and Litigation - Labor and Employment (2021-2024)
- Listed in New York Metro Area Super Lawyers Rising Stars for Employment & Labor (Thomson Reuters) (2019-2023)
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Pathfinder Program (2017)
- Seyfarth Shaw Community Service Award for Inspirational Leadership (2017)
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- Metropolitan Black Bar Association; past secretary, Labor and Employment section
- National Employment Law Council, Strategic Co-Chair of Programing and Professional Development
- Co-Author, "No Adverse Action? No Problem: NJ Supreme Court Eases Pleading Burden for Disability Claims under LAD," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 15, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Reporting and Investigating Harassment in the Age of Social Movements," Future Employer, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 14, 2018)
- Co-Author, "Spokeo v. Robins: The U.S. Supreme Court Declines An Encore Performance," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 23, 2018)
- Co-Author, “Spokeo v. Robins: The U.S. Supreme Court Finds Concrete Injury Is Required Under Article III But Remands Back To The Ninth Circuit,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 16, 2016)
- Co-Author, "Austin, Texas Joins Movement To “Ban The Box” In Hiring Practices," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 5, 2016)
- Co-Author, "Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins: Petitioner Argues If There Is No Actual Injury-in-Fact, Plaintiff Lacks Standing to Sue," Employment Law Lookout, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 11, 2015)
- Co-Author, "Federal Agencies Issue Final Diversity & Inclusion Standards Under Dodd-Frank," Financial Services Employment Arbitration Q&A, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 16, 2015)
- Co-Author, "U.S. Supreme Court Grants Cert in Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2015)
- Co-Author, “New Jersey Supreme Court Issues Long-Awaited Battaglia Decision and Delivers Good and Bad News for Employers,” New Jersey Labor and Employment Law Quarterly, Vol. 35, No. 2 (February 2014)
- Co-Author, "'Tis the Season for . . . Temporary or Seasonal Hires," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 12, 2013)
- Co-Author, "New Jersey Raises the Bar for Punitive Damages in CEPA Suits," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 29, 2013)
- Co-Author, “New Jersey SAFE,”Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 24, 2013)
- Co-Author, “New Jersey Supreme Court Issues Long Awaited Battaglia Decision,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 19, 2013)
- Presenter, ADR topic: “Recent Trends Related to Arbitration Clauses in Employment Agreements,” National Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section (October 28, 2022)
- Presenter, “Successfully Navigating the Law Firm Minefield," National Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section (October 28, 2022)
- Presenter, “Hot Employment Law Issues that All In-House Lawyers Should Know,” Fortune 150 technology firm (October 4, 2022)
- Presenter, “Effective Interviewing and Hiring Practices for Managers and HR Professionals,” Nonprofit client (September 10, 2022)
- Presenter, “Successfully Navigating Pay Transparency Laws in NYC and Nationwide," Tech:NYC (July 20, 2022)
- Moderator and Presenter, “2018 Labor and Employment Annual Year-End-Review,” Metropolitan Black Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section (March 12, 2019)
- Presenter, “Transforming Workplace Culture In the Era of #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, and More,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 29, 2019)
- Moderator and Facilitator, New York Regional Conference, “Human Resources Panel: The Current & Evolving Business of Labor & Employment Law and Human Resources,” National Employment Law Council (October 15, 2018)
- Speaker, “Transforming Workplace Culture In the Era of #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, and More,” Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 26, 2018)
- Co-Presenter, “What You Need to Know in 2017 - new wage and hour regulations, updates to New York state's Paid Family Leave Act, background check developments, and impact of the Trump Administration” Seyfarth Shaw HR Forum (March 2017)
- Co-Presenter, “Hot Topics in Wage and Hour Law - Unpaid Interns, Independent Contractors and Temporary Workers” Seyfarth Shaw HR Forum (May 2015)
- Seyfarth A+ Affinity Group, Chair
- Seyfarth New York Diversity and Inclusion Action Team member
- Legal Outreach, Inc., Advisory Board Member and Attorney Mentor
- 1844 member
Ephraim partners with employers to manage the risk of complex employment litigation in an ever-changing legal and cultural environment.
More About Ephraim
Effective management of complex employment litigation is key to a productive enterprise, a sustainable workplace culture, and achieving business goals. Complex employment litigation is also subject to an ever-evolving set of laws and social movements, which requires employers to stay nimble and forward-thinking. Clients look to Ephraim for insightful and practical solutions to the legal, strategic, and operational challenges presented by complex employment litigation.
Ephraim has worked with clients in the financial services, media and entertainment, technology, health care, education, retail, energy, and nonprofit industries. Ephraim's experience in representing employers in a variety of industries across the nation provides him with unique insights into the challenges that employers face in complex employment litigation. He has extensive experience with single-plaintiff and class action employment litigation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. For example, Ephraim has won summary judgment or obtain dismissal on a range of employment and contract claims, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims under federal and state law, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) interference and retaliation claims, whistleblower claims, and class action claims under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Additionally, Ephraim has significant experience with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration proceedings representing broker-dealers.
Ephraim has significant first-chair trial experience in federal and state courts as well as arbitration matters. For example, he obtained the dismissal of four out of six claims on a motion for directed verdict and secured a defense jury verdict on the remaining claims of gender discrimination and retaliation for a Fortune 25 client in state court. He has also obtained dismissal of eight of 10 claims in a FINRA arbitration on a motion to dismiss and then obtained a defense verdict following a 16-day arbitration on breach of contract claims against a Fortune 50 client.
Ephraim also regularly provides clients with practical advice on various trending workplace issues, including hiring practices, internal complaints, and investigations involving C-suite executives, workplace training, employment agreements, and background screening.
Ephraim has been recognized by his peers as a leader in his field. Ephraim was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Minority Corporate Counsel Association and the New York Law Journal (ALM Global LLC) in 2023, respectively. Crain’s New York Business (Crain Communications Inc.) also named Ephraim as one of its "40 under 40" honorees for 2023.
Ephraim enjoys working alongside Seyfarth's talented and knowledgeable attorneys, who are as enthusiastic about labor and employment law as he is. Ephraim particularly enjoys defending and vindicating clients at trials and arbitrations. Ephraim is co-chair of Seyfarth's A+ affinity group for the firm's Black attorneys and allies. Ephraim is an advisory board member for Legal Outreach, Inc., a nonprofit organization that serves low-income or minority urban youth from underserved neighborhoods in New York City through a law-based curriculum and academic support. In 2017, he was awarded Seyfarth's "Inspirational Leadership Award" in recognition of his commitment to Legal Outreach, Inc., and for inspiring others to make a difference in the New York City community.
Ephraim has worked with clients in the financial services, media and entertainment, technology, health care, education, retail, energy, and nonprofit industries. Ephraim's experience in representing employers in a variety of industries across the nation provides him with unique insights into the challenges that employers face in complex employment litigation. He has extensive experience with single-plaintiff and class action employment litigation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. For example, Ephraim has won summary judgment or obtain dismissal on a range of employment and contract claims, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims under federal and state law, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) interference and retaliation claims, whistleblower claims, and class action claims under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Additionally, Ephraim has significant experience with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration proceedings representing broker-dealers.
Ephraim has significant first-chair trial experience in federal and state courts as well as arbitration matters. For example, he obtained the dismissal of four out of six claims on a motion for directed verdict and secured a defense jury verdict on the remaining claims of gender discrimination and retaliation for a Fortune 25 client in state court. He has also obtained dismissal of eight of 10 claims in a FINRA arbitration on a motion to dismiss and then obtained a defense verdict following a 16-day arbitration on breach of contract claims against a Fortune 50 client.
Ephraim also regularly provides clients with practical advice on various trending workplace issues, including hiring practices, internal complaints, and investigations involving C-suite executives, workplace training, employment agreements, and background screening.
Ephraim has been recognized by his peers as a leader in his field. Ephraim was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Minority Corporate Counsel Association and the New York Law Journal (ALM Global LLC) in 2023, respectively. Crain’s New York Business (Crain Communications Inc.) also named Ephraim as one of its "40 under 40" honorees for 2023.
Ephraim enjoys working alongside Seyfarth's talented and knowledgeable attorneys, who are as enthusiastic about labor and employment law as he is. Ephraim particularly enjoys defending and vindicating clients at trials and arbitrations. Ephraim is co-chair of Seyfarth's A+ affinity group for the firm's Black attorneys and allies. Ephraim is an advisory board member for Legal Outreach, Inc., a nonprofit organization that serves low-income or minority urban youth from underserved neighborhoods in New York City through a law-based curriculum and academic support. In 2017, he was awarded Seyfarth's "Inspirational Leadership Award" in recognition of his commitment to Legal Outreach, Inc., and for inspiring others to make a difference in the New York City community.
- JD, Boston University School of Law
Litigation & Dispute ResolutionSutherland Cup Moot Court Competition, best team (2012)
- BA, Fordham University
Political Science
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- US District Court, District of New Jersey
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
Related Key Industries
Related News & Insights
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Recognition
11/01/2023
Seyfarth’s Ephraim Pierre Honored as One of Crain’s New York Business’s “40 Under 40”
-
Speaking Engagement
Oct 27, 2022
Seyfarth Attorneys To Be Panelists at NBA 2022 Labor and Employment Section Annual Conference
-
Recognition
Aug 18, 2022
Seyfarth Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America 2023
- Recognized as a "40 Under 40" by Crain's New York Business (Crain Communications Inc.) (2023)
- Recognized as a "Rising Star" by Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) (2023)
- Recognized as a "Rising Star" by New York Law Journal (ALM Global LLC) (2023)
- Recognized as a "Ones to Watch" lawyer by Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Labor and Employment Law - Management (2021-2024) and Litigation - Labor and Employment (2021-2024)
- Listed in New York Metro Area Super Lawyers Rising Stars for Employment & Labor (Thomson Reuters) (2019-2023)
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Pathfinder Program (2017)
- Seyfarth Shaw Community Service Award for Inspirational Leadership (2017)
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
- Metropolitan Black Bar Association; past secretary, Labor and Employment section
- National Employment Law Council, Strategic Co-Chair of Programing and Professional Development
- Co-Author, "No Adverse Action? No Problem: NJ Supreme Court Eases Pleading Burden for Disability Claims under LAD," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 15, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Reporting and Investigating Harassment in the Age of Social Movements," Future Employer, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 14, 2018)
- Co-Author, "Spokeo v. Robins: The U.S. Supreme Court Declines An Encore Performance," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 23, 2018)
- Co-Author, “Spokeo v. Robins: The U.S. Supreme Court Finds Concrete Injury Is Required Under Article III But Remands Back To The Ninth Circuit,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 16, 2016)
- Co-Author, "Austin, Texas Joins Movement To “Ban The Box” In Hiring Practices," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 5, 2016)
- Co-Author, "Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins: Petitioner Argues If There Is No Actual Injury-in-Fact, Plaintiff Lacks Standing to Sue," Employment Law Lookout, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 11, 2015)
- Co-Author, "Federal Agencies Issue Final Diversity & Inclusion Standards Under Dodd-Frank," Financial Services Employment Arbitration Q&A, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 16, 2015)
- Co-Author, "U.S. Supreme Court Grants Cert in Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2015)
- Co-Author, “New Jersey Supreme Court Issues Long-Awaited Battaglia Decision and Delivers Good and Bad News for Employers,” New Jersey Labor and Employment Law Quarterly, Vol. 35, No. 2 (February 2014)
- Co-Author, "'Tis the Season for . . . Temporary or Seasonal Hires," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 12, 2013)
- Co-Author, "New Jersey Raises the Bar for Punitive Damages in CEPA Suits," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 29, 2013)
- Co-Author, “New Jersey SAFE,”Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 24, 2013)
- Co-Author, “New Jersey Supreme Court Issues Long Awaited Battaglia Decision,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 19, 2013)
- Presenter, ADR topic: “Recent Trends Related to Arbitration Clauses in Employment Agreements,” National Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section (October 28, 2022)
- Presenter, “Successfully Navigating the Law Firm Minefield," National Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section (October 28, 2022)
- Presenter, “Hot Employment Law Issues that All In-House Lawyers Should Know,” Fortune 150 technology firm (October 4, 2022)
- Presenter, “Effective Interviewing and Hiring Practices for Managers and HR Professionals,” Nonprofit client (September 10, 2022)
- Presenter, “Successfully Navigating Pay Transparency Laws in NYC and Nationwide," Tech:NYC (July 20, 2022)
- Moderator and Presenter, “2018 Labor and Employment Annual Year-End-Review,” Metropolitan Black Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section (March 12, 2019)
- Presenter, “Transforming Workplace Culture In the Era of #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, and More,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 29, 2019)
- Moderator and Facilitator, New York Regional Conference, “Human Resources Panel: The Current & Evolving Business of Labor & Employment Law and Human Resources,” National Employment Law Council (October 15, 2018)
- Speaker, “Transforming Workplace Culture In the Era of #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, and More,” Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 26, 2018)
- Co-Presenter, “What You Need to Know in 2017 - new wage and hour regulations, updates to New York state's Paid Family Leave Act, background check developments, and impact of the Trump Administration” Seyfarth Shaw HR Forum (March 2017)
- Co-Presenter, “Hot Topics in Wage and Hour Law - Unpaid Interns, Independent Contractors and Temporary Workers” Seyfarth Shaw HR Forum (May 2015)
- Seyfarth A+ Affinity Group, Chair
- Seyfarth New York Diversity and Inclusion Action Team member
- Legal Outreach, Inc., Advisory Board Member and Attorney Mentor
- 1844 member