Erin O'Neill

Erin M. O'Neill is a litigator, with a particular emphasis on employment discrimination litigation and counseling employers on a wide range of employment related issues. Ms. O'Neill primarily represents clients in employment-related lawsuits in federal and state courts, and before local, state and federal agencies. She has helped employers resolve a wide variety of employment-related disputes, including claims of sexual harassment; discrimination based on age, race, gender, disability, religion and national origin; retaliation; wrongful discharge; defamation; and breach of contract litigation. Ms. O'Neill also provides personnel management counseling and employment law advice to employers, as well as compliance training to employers with regard to various state and federal laws governing employment.

In 1995, Ms. O'Neill graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in government and international studies. Ms. O'Neill earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from Villanova University School of Law in 1998. While there, she served as an associate editor of the Villanova Law Review and was elected to the Villanova Chapter of the Order of the Coif. Ms. O'Neill was admitted to practice in the State of Pennsylvania in 1998. In 2006, Ms. O'Neill was recognized by Philadelphia Magazine as one of Pennsylvania's Rising Stars.

EDUCATION:

  • Villanova University School of Law, J.D., 1998, Magna Cum Laude

  • University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1995, Cum Laude

 

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS:

Served as counsel to employers in a number of industries, including pharmaceutical companies, universities, hospitals, financial institutions, and non-profit organizations, handling and resolving a wide array of employment law matters.

Defended employers against all claims of employment discrimination, including those based on age, gender, religion, national origin, disability or other alleged discrimination, in state and federal court and at the agency level, including administrative proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.

Represented clients in claims of breach of restrictive covenants, disclosure of trade secret confidential information, wrongful discharge, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

Served as counsel to educational institutions with regard to issues related to faculty discipline and appointments, grievance processes and appeals.

Counseled employers on decisions related to: hiring, discipline, discharge, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Family and Medical Leave Act issues; implementing policies; responding to internal complaints of discrimination; preventing discrimination and harassment; and avoiding litigation related to various employment decisions.

Provided employment law advice and personnel management counseling to employers experiencing restructuring, layoffs, or reductions in force.

Drafted, reviewed, negotiated and provided advice on employment agreements, trade secret agreements, confidentiality agreements, and severance agreements.

Designed and implemented training sessions for employers on various employment issues. Conducted audits of policies and procedures for compliance with applicable law.

Conducted internal investigations related to claims of sexual harassment or other discrimination and provided advice to employers on appropriate course of action.

BOARD MEMBERSHIPS/CIVIC AND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES:

  • Board of Directors, The West Hill School, Rosemont, PA, 2007-2010
  • Board of Directors, Children's Village, Philadelphia, PA, 2005-2007
  • Presenter, Pennsylvania Bar Institute Annual Employment Law Institute
  • Member, Temple American Inn of Court, 2002-2004
  • Rosemont School of the Holy Child, Spring Auction Committee, 2010-2011
  • World Collector's Committee for Philadelphia Antique Show, 2010-2011
  • Pennsylvania Ballet's Nutcracker Magic Committee, 2010-2011
  • Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Sponsorship Committee, 2009-2010
  • Member, Young Friends of The Philadelphia Antique Show, 2006-2009
  • Member, Young Friends of Lankenau Hospital, 2006-2008