Michael S. Arnold
(he/him/his)
Member / Chair, Employment Practice
+1.212.692.6866
Michael Arnold serves as the Chair of the firm’s Employment Practice and has significant experience advising private and public employers on a wide variety of employment-related issues across a broad range of sectors, including the financial, professional services, life sciences, health care, real estate, energy, technology, media, retail, industrial, and governmental sectors.
Mike’s client-centric approach and consistent ability to provide practical advice that reduces risk and aligns with organizational and HR strategies is a continued testament to his broad expertise and leadership. He is singled out by Chambers USA sources as an “incredible advisor and asset to in-house legal departments and operations teams, sharing both his technical expertise and always providing practical guidance.” Chambers USA sources add that Mike is “extremely responsive, knowledgeable, practical, and commercial” and “distinguishes himself in the market by delivering information and work product in the most user-friendly manner possible, enabling teams to efficiently operate in a fast-paced environment.”
Clients turn to Mike for his expertise in navigating sophisticated and highly-sensitive workplace matters, including:
- Counseling on issues related to all aspects of the HR life cycle (from recruiting and onboarding, to retention and development, to separation and post-separation) covering discrimination, harassment and retaliation, wage and hour, leave and accommodation, restrictive covenant issues and other employment-related issues.
- Conducting investigations of employee complaints, including discrimination and harassment complaints, and assisting management resolve other employee relations issues.
- Auditing and assisting in the development and implementation of employment policies, procedures, and practices.
- Conducting anti-discrimination/harassment and other HR and legal issue-based training regarding legal requirements, best practices, and risk mitigation.
- Representing management and senior executives in connection with a variety of complex employment litigation matters, including pre-trial, trial and appellate work; administrative discrimination charges and other agency proceedings (including EEOC, NYSDHR, NYCCHR, DOL, WCB); and arbitrations and mediations relating to wage and hour, discrimination, restrictive covenants, contract, and other employment-related disputes, including collective and class actions.
- Drafting and negotiating employment-related agreements and policies, including offer letters, employment and consulting agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, separation agreements, and employee-related regulatory disclosures.
- Representing clients in connection with corporate transactions and bankruptcy proceedings, including conducting employment-related due diligence and negotiating employment-related warrants and representations and related employment transaction documents.
As Chair of the Employment practice, Mike works alongside Firm leadership and key stakeholders to drive strategy and operations, while ensuring optimal client service. Mike also remains out in front on identifying and commenting on employment industry hot topics, including by authoring many posts for the group’s award-winning blog, regularly speaking and reporting on timely and important trends, and hosting the firm’s Annual Employment Law Summit.
Michael Arnold serves as the Chair of the firm’s Employment Practice and has significant experience advising private and public employers on a wide variety of employment-related issues across a broad range of sectors, including the financial, professional services, life sciences, health care, real estate, energy, technology, media, retail, industrial, and governmental sectors.
Experience
- Represented a global financial institution in connection with multiple discrimination claims, including claims of national origin, age, sex and pregnancy discrimination.
- Represented an international media company in connection with claims of age and race discrimination arising out of a reduction in force.
- Represented one of the world’s largest hotel chains in successfully obtaining a dismissal of an Article 78 wrongful termination proceeding.
- Represented one of the nation's premier medical centers in successfully obtaining a dismissal of national origin and religious discrimination claims.
- Represented a luxury residential and commercial real estate development and management company in defending against a wage/hour class action based on alleged failure to pay overtime.
- Represented an independent global expert services and advisory firm in defending against claims of equal pay and sexual harassment.
- Represented a state development agency in addressing a highly complex pandemic-related telecommuting disability accommodation issue.
- Conducted a full-scale employment practices audit for a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company.
- Conducted a hiring and onboarding employment practices audit for a national life insurance company.
- Advised a global hospitality company on multiple reductions in force, including regarding WARN Act implications, disparate impact issues, OWBPA compliance, severance program structuring, and implementation of the same.
- Advised a global consulting firm in successfully navigating mobility issues arising out of various new hires.
- Advised an international Am Law 75 law firm in complying with its background check compliance obligations.
- Advised a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company in connection with potential employment compliance issues related to the use of a remote workforce.
- Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of a global consulting firm in response to an executive’s alleged sexual harassment.
- Drafted and negotiated an executive employment agreement for a C-Level executive at one of the nation’s largest debt securities underwriters.
- Advised a multinational energy company in connection with its vaccination compliance obligations and overall policy strategy.
- Advised a global banking institution in connection with the creation and implementation of a bonus plan.
- Represented various employers in successfully vacating initial determinations of contractor misclassification before unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation agencies.
- Advised various employers on their compliance obligations with respect to employee use of cannabis.
- Guided numerous employers in redesigning their workplaces in the next phase of COVID, including by providing extensive counseling on designing an effective “return to office” strategy (in person, hybrid, or remote), creating vaccination, booster, and testing policies and ensuring a safe office environment overall, realigning leave policies and procedures, and undertaking various workforce planning and change management exercises.
- Guided numerous employers in formulating and implementing pay transparency strategies that ensure compliance and align with operational needs.
viewpoints
New York State Department of Health Issues Updated Interim COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance
January 7, 2022 | Blog | By Evan Piercey, Corbin Carter, Michael Arnold
On January 4, 2022, and faced with record numbers of COVID-19 cases in New York State, the New York State Department of Health (“NYSDOH”) issued Interim Updated Isolation & Quarantine Guidance. The Interim Guidance aligns NYSDOH’s isolation and quarantine recommendations for the general population with the guidance issued by the CDC on December 27, 2021, which the CDC has updated repeatedly since then, and about which we previously reported on here. This Interim Guidance also supersedes the essential worker portion of NYSDOH’s December 24, 2021 shortened isolation guidance, although the portion pertaining to healthcare workers remains in effect. We will continue to provide updates on NYSDOH’s recommendations, as well as those issued by other public health agencies, as events continue to unfold.
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(Updated) Shorter COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Periods Will Impact Workplaces
January 6, 2022 | Blog | By Nicole Rivers, Michael Arnold, Jennifer Rubin
UPDATE: Following its original announcement, the CDC further updated its guidance to apply the 5 day quarantine rule to those who are asymptomatic but now also to those whose symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours). The guidance now also includes a reminder that applicable local laws continue to apply and that the recommendations do not apply to healthcare workers (for whom the CDC has issued separate guidance). The CDC separately updated its definitions of “isolation” and “quarantine” and outlined additional recommendations regarding testing and masking procedures for individuals who test positive and those who are exposed to COVID-19. This post has been updated to reflect these changes.
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New York Department of Labor Issues Proposed Regulations for HERO Act Workplace Safety Committee Requirement
January 4, 2022 | Blog | By Evan Piercey, Michael Arnold
The New York State Department of Labor has issued proposed regulations interpreting and further defining the contours of the HERO Act’s joint labor-management workplace safety committees. We summarize the proposed regulations below.
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Mayor-Elect Eric Adams Plans to Enforce New York City’s Private Employer Vaccine Mandate
December 31, 2021 | Blog | By Evan Piercey, Michael Arnold
Mayor-elect Eric Adams has announced that he plans to keep New York City’s vaccine mandate in place once he takes office.
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New York City Updates its Vaccine Executive Order Guidance
December 23, 2021 | Blog | By Michael Arnold, Evan Piercey
The updated guidance now states that NYC employers must comply with its vaccine order regardless of whether the OSHA vaccine order becomes effective. The guidance originally stated that “[c]overed entities or individuals who are subject to federal requirements that are not currently in effect because of a court order must comply with this order.” The guidance has now been updated to read: “Covered entities or individuals who are covered by the OSHA rule that allows either employee vaccination or testing must comply with this order – their workers must be vaccinated if they do not have a reasonable accommodation.” The City is taking this position even though the NYC Vaccine Executive Order itself states that it does not apply where a covered entity is already subject to another order, including an order of a “federal entity that is in effect and requires them to maintain or provide proof of full vaccination.”
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New York City Council Passes Salary Range Transparency Law
December 23, 2021 | Blog | By Danielle Dillon, Michael Arnold
The New York City Council passed a bill which would amend the New York City Human Rights Law and require employers to state the minimum and maximum salary for any position located in New York City. This applies to job postings and advertisements, as well as promotion or transfer opportunities. This is the latest move to encourage salary transparency and equity, which is a growing movement a number of states and locales, including New York have joined to address systemic pay inequities.
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Supreme Court to Have Final Word on OSHA Vaccine Order
December 23, 2021 | Blog | By Michael Arnold, Evan Piercey
As expected, the U.S. Supreme Court will rule on whether OSHA may proceed with its Vaccine Order for large employers. The Court will hold a special hearing on January 7, 2022. Briefings are due by December 30, 2021. The Court will also consider whether a separate vaccine order related to healthcare workers is enforceable.
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New York City Releases Private Employer Vaccine Executive Order
December 16, 2021 | Blog | By Evan Piercey, Corbin Carter, Michael Arnold
New York City has released its anticipated vaccine order for private businesses alongside a workplace vaccine requirement webpage containing interpretative guidance and other helpful links. The new vaccine order generally requires employers to obtain proof of a worker’s vaccination before allowing them entry into the workplace. As we previously reported, Mayor Bill de Blasio described this mandate as a “preemptive strike” made in an effort to confront looming challenges posed by the Omicron variant and the holiday season. We summarize relevant portions from the order and interpretative guidance below, and note that NYC employers will need to take several affirmative actions to come into compliance in the next couple of weeks.
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New York Will Require Employers to Notify Employees of Phone, Internet, and Email Monitoring
December 9, 2021 | Blog | By Danielle Dillon, Evan Piercey, Michael Arnold
Effective May 7, 2022, all New York employers will be required to provide notice to employees of any employer monitoring of work phones, emails, or Internet use.
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New York City Announces a Vaccine Mandate for All Private Employers
December 7, 2021 | Blog | By Michael Arnold, Evan Piercey
Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate that will apply to all private employers in New York City. The Mayor announced the mandate as a “first in the nation measure,” and a “preemptive strike” in response to challenges posed by the new Omicron variant, colder weather, and holiday gatherings.
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News & Press
New York Governor Voices Concerns About Proposed Noncompete Ban
December 5, 2023
Legal Dive quoted a recent article written by Mintz attorneys Michael Arnold, Andrew Bernstein, Corbin Carter, and Evan Piercey in a story discussing New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s concerns surrounding a proposed noncompete ban.
Twenty-nine Mintz Attorneys Named to 2023 New York Metro Super Lawyers List
September 22, 2023
NEW YORK – Mintz is pleased to announce that 18 attorneys have been named New York Metro Super Lawyers and 11 attorneys have been named New York Metro Rising Stars by Super Lawyers for 2023.
Member Michael Arnold and Associate Kevin Kim co-authored an article published in the latest edition of the Employee Benefit Plan Review journal analyzing The U.S. Supreme Court's recent unanimous decision in Groff v. DeJoy.
BOSTON – Mintz has earned top rankings in the 2023 edition of Legal 500 United States guide. The firm is recognized in 14 practice categories, and 59 individual attorneys are also recognized in the guide, some in more than one category.
BOSTON – Mintz has earned top rankings in the 2023 edition of Legal 500 United States guide. The firm is recognized in 14 practice categories, and 59 individual attorneys are also recognized in the guide, some in more than one category.
BOSTON –Mintz announced today that 39 of its practices and 81 of its attorneys earned recognition in the 2023 edition of Chambers USA, a guide to the country’s leading law firms.
Twenty-six Mintz Attorneys Recognized as 2022 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
September 29, 2022
17 Mintz attorneys have been named New York Metro Super Lawyers and nine Mintz attorneys have been named New York Metro Rising Stars by Super Lawyers for 2022.
CDC Relaxes COVID Quarantine Guidelines
August 24, 2022
Interview Icebreakers Can Land You in Hot Water
June 1, 2021
Mintz Member and Chair of the firm’s Employment, Labor & Benefits Practice Michael Arnold was quoted in an article published by the Society for Human Resource Management’s HR Magazine that looked at job interview questions and icebreakers that may violate civil rights or present other legal risks.
Disciplining Workers for Lies About Vaccinations
May 4, 2021
Mintz Member and Chair of the firm’s Employment, Labor & Benefits Practice Michael Arnold was quoted in an article published by the Society for Human Resource Management’s HR Magazine that examined best practices to avoid liability for employers disciplining employees who lie about getting COVID-19 vaccinations.
Making the Case for Return to Office
March 30, 2021
Mintz Member and Chair of the firm’s Employment, Labor & Benefits Practice Michael Arnold was quoted in an article published by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)’s HR Magazine that provided key considerations for employers making a case for returning to the workplace, including employees’ perspectives and preferences, pandemic-related challenges, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for employers seeking to re-establish in-person business operations.
Counsel Who Care: How Attys Are Helping During A Crisis
June 16, 2020
Mintz Member and Chair of the firm’s Employment, Labor & Benefits Practice Michael Arnold was quoted in a recent Law360 article that highlighted the firm’s new pro bono initiative to provide employment law services to income-screened small businesses and nonprofits affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
4 Slam-Dunk Tips For Employers To Swish March Madness
March 15, 2018
Member and leader of the firm’s Employment, Labor & Benefits Practice Mike Arnold is quoted in this March Madness feature article. The story notes that employers should use this as an opportunity to create and foster company camaraderie and try to avoid being too harsh on employees.
Fourteen Mintz attorneys have been named New York Super Lawyers for 2017 and thirteen have been named New York Rising Stars. New York Super Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers with the highest degree of peer recognition and professional achievements.
Eighteen Mintz Attorneys Named 2013 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
September 16, 2017
Mintz Named Top Firm in Energy and Eleven Attorneys Featured in JD Supra’s 2017 Reader’s Choice Awards
March 20, 2017
JD Supra has recognized Mintz in its 2017 Reader’s Choice awards, highlighting the most widely read authors and articles over the past year. Eleven Mintz attorneys were named JD Supra Top Authors in four industries and Mintz was recognized as the Top Firm with readers in the Energy Industry.
How to Proceed After Last-Minute Overtime Rule Freeze
November 23, 2016
Michael Arnold, a Mintz Employment, Labor & Benefits Member, was quoted in this Society for Human Resource Management article on the U.S. District Court for the Easter District of Texas’s temporary decision to place a nationwide hold on the overtime rule.
Sixteen Mintz attorneys have been named New York Super Lawyers for 2016 and twelve have been named New York Rising Stars. The list will be published in a special advertising supplement in The New York Times Magazine and in a stand-alone magazine, New York Super Lawyers - Metro Edition.
Michael Arnold, a New York Employment, Labor & Benefits Member, was quoted in this Law360 article on attorney feedback regarding the U.S. Department of Labor’s final overtime exemption rule.
White Collar OT Rules
May 19, 2016
Michael Arnold, a New York Employment, Labor & Benefits Member, is quoted in this news segment on the forthcoming US Department of Labor final rule regarding the “salary test” determining whether white collar workers will be subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act requirements for overtime pay.
Thirteen attorneys from Mintz have been named New York Super Lawyers for 2014 and eleven have been named New York Rising Stars. The list will be published in a special advertising supplement in The New York Times Magazine and in a stand-alone magazine, New York Super Lawyers - Metro Edition.
Mintz Elevates Ten Attorneys to Members of the Firm
May 16, 2013
Events & Speaking
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Second Annual Employment Law Summit
The Princeton Club 14 West 43rd Street, New York, New York
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Michael Arnold serves as the Chair of the firm’s Employment Practice and has significant experience advising private and public employers on a wide variety of employment-related issues across a broad range of sectors, including the financial, professional services, life sciences, health care, real estate, energy, technology, media, retail, industrial, and governmental sectors.
Recognition & Awards
Legal 500 United States: Workplace and Employment Counseling (2022 - 2023)
Legal 500 United States: Employee Benefits and Retirement Plans (2023)
Included on the New York Super Lawyers: Employment & Labor List (2019 - 2023)
Chambers USA: New York – Labor & Employment, Band 5 (2023)
Chambers USA: New York – Labor & Employment, Up and Coming (2021)
Recent Insights
New York Court Puts Breaks on Manual Worker Weekly Wage Payment Claims
January 23, 2024| Blog|
