James M. LemonedesMember

Mr. Lemonedes has appeared as lead trial counsel in the following representative matters:

• Scott v. City of New York – Successfully defended the City of New York in a class action lawsuit involving 16,000 present and former police officers and detectives claiming violations of the FLSA and seeking $500 million in damages.

• Mullins v. City of New York – Successfully defended the City of New York in a collective action case brought on by 4,000 present and former police sergeants claiming violations of the FLSA and seeking $60 million in damages.

• Plummer v. Quinn – Successfully defended Speaker of the New York City Council Christine Quinn and the City of New York against a Section 1983 claim.

• Almontaser v. NYC Dept. of Education – Successfully defended the New York City Department of Education and several individual defendants against a Section 1983 claim regarding an organization that distributed T-shirts displaying an offensive slogan.

• Latino Officers Association v. New York City – Defended New York City in a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of 15,000 current and former minority police officers alleging violations of Title VII and Section 1981, employment discrimination and employment misconduct, which ultimately was settled on very favorable terms.

• Patrolman’s Benevolent Ass’n v. City of New York – Represented the City of New York and various high-ranking public officials in a multi-plaintiff jury trial concerning Title VII and Section 1983 discrimination and retaliation violations regarding the transfer of minority police officers in the wake of the Abner Louima incident.

• Tesser v. Board of Education for the City of New York – Successfully defended the New York City Board of Education against a Title VII religious discrimination and retaliation claim.

• USA v. City – Represented the City of New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Fire Department for the City of New York (FDNY) in a multi-plaintiff and U.S. Department of Justice action asserting race discrimination under Title VII and Section 1983 in the hiring of minorities.

• Davis v. City of New York – Successfully defended the City of New York against a claim from a former city councilman running for a position on New York City Council after the New York Police Department enforced a provision that “deems reigned” any police officer who is nominated by any party for an elected official and who does not decline that nomination within 10 days.