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Cassandra N. Branch

Associate
Cassandra N. Branch's headshot
Cassandra N. Branch Associate

Cassandra Branch advises employers from various industries in both the private and public sectors on wage and hour, discrimination, sexual harassment, whistleblowing, retaliation and other employment matters. 

Cassandra has extensive experience litigating cases from inception through trial. She has helped clients obtain summary judgment in numerous actions at both the trial and appellate levels, including cases of first impression in New York. Before joining private practice, Cassandra served as an assistant corporation counsel in the Labor & Employment Division of the New York City Law Department for over four years, representing City agencies as employers in litigation.  

Prior to joining Morrison Cohen, Cassandra was an associate at Littler Mendelson, P.C., where she served as defense counsel in litigation, conducted internal EEO investigations, drafted employment agreements and provided legal analysis for employers on issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Cassandra was an avid mock trial and moot court competitor during law school and still enjoys coaching and judging local high school students in trial advocacy competitions.

Experience

  • Successfully litigated implementation of New York’s “Raise the Age” law, prohibiting detainment of juvenile offenders in Riker’s Island facilities at trial and appellate levels.  Defended against Union claims that detention facility officers were not performing out-of-title work.
  • Successfully resolved dispute involving 80 Police Officers claiming entitlement to Detective status at trial, and secured voluntary dismissal of 51 claims.
  • Represented the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus as amicus curiae in the Southern District of New York and Second Circuit Court of Appeals regarding repeal of New York Civil Rights Law § 50-a and planned disclosure of law enforcement disciplinary records.
  • Successfully represented a major healthcare provider in complex wage and hour litigation, and secured favorable settlement for the employer that helped avoid potential class action.
  • Drafted and revised employee handbooks to ensure client’s policies are in compliance with federal, state, and local laws during Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Drafted employment separation and settlement agreements providing for confidentiality and release of claims against employers.
  • Secured dismissal of discrimination and retaliation claims before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, New York State Division of Human Rights, and New York City Commission on Human Rights.
  • Handled extensive electronic evidence in sexual harassment case concerning supervisor-employee relations, successfully negotiated to narrow scope of discovery sought from the employer.

Professional Activities

  • Member of the American Bar Association

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ for Labor and Employment, 2023 edition
  • New York City Law Department - Legal Rookie of the Year Award
  • New York City Law Department - 2018 Division Chief Award
Cassandra N. Branch's headshot

Practices

Sectors

Education

  • Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, J.D.
  • University of Central Florida, B.A., Member of Phi Alpha Delta

Bar Admissions

  • New York
  • Southern District of New York
  • Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

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