Marissa combines deep expertise in employment law with a practical, creative approach to help clients solve workplace issues and handle employment litigation matters with confidence.

Experience

Known for her deep expertise in employment law compliance and employment litigation matters, Marissa serves as a trusted advisor to her clients. Marissa not only advises employers on navigating the constantly evolving employment law landscape, but she also provides practical guidance that integrates business operations considerations and risk management strategies.

In addition to participating in day-to-day discussions with clients regarding personnel decisions, employee leave and accommodation requests, and employee complaints, Marissa routinely prepares employee handbooks, policies, hiring protocols and packages, and workplace safety programs. On behalf of employers and, in some cases, high-level professionals and executives, she also regularly drafts and negotiates various types of agreements, including, employment agreements, separation agreements, confidentiality agreements, and restrictive covenant agreements. Marissa additionally conducts interactive discrimination, harassment, and engagement training for employers.

Marissa litigates a broad spectrum of employment litigation matters before federal and state courts, administrative agencies, and arbitration tribunals. She zealously defends her clients against claims and charges brought by current and former employees alleging discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour violations, breach of contract, violation of restrictive covenant obligations, and misappropriation of confidential information claims. Marissa is also well-versed in representing clients in connection with investigations launched by various federal and local government entities, including, the U.S. Department of Labor, the N.J. Department of Labor, the N.Y. Department of Labor, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the N.J. Division on Civil Rights, the N.Y. Division of Human Rights, the N.Y.C. Commission on Human Rights, and the N.Y.C. Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.

Additionally, Marissa is often called upon to conduct independent workplace investigations and audits in response to complaints or claims made by current or former employees involving allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other related issues. When conducting these sensitive investigations and audits, Marissa understands that businesses need an attorney who has the communication skills and tact necessary to effectively interview witnesses to gather information and evidence to serve as the foundation for the investigatory findings.

As the resident employment attorney in the firm’s Cannabis practice group since 2018, Marissa counsels employers regarding the growing anti-discrimination protections and drug testing regulations passed to protect medical and recreational cannabis users across the country. Marissa drafts substance-free workplace policies, drug testing programs, and hiring protocols for employers across industries that not only emphasize the importance of maintaining a safe working environment, but also foster positive company culture that is inclusive for cannabis users. As effective alternatives to impractical anti-cannabis policies, she also works with employers in creating and implementing workplace safety training for employees at all levels.

Prior to joining Cole Schotz, Marissa worked as a labor and employment associate for Proskauer Rose LLP. She also served as a law clerk for the Honorable Stephan C. Hansbury, P.J. Ch. (ret.) of the Chancery Division-General Equity Part.

thought leadership

Appreciated for providing forward-thinking insights into the employment law landscape, Marissa is regularly called upon by media outlets for her comments and insights into changing laws, regulations, and government-issued guidance. Marissa has been featured in prominent publications such as Bloomberg Law, Law360, the New York Real Estate Journal, SHRM, and HR.com, to name a few. Additionally, Marissa regularly presents seminars on employment law topics and has recently participated at the NJBIZ Human Resources Summit, Rutgers RWJMS Business of Medicine Series, and conducted the virtual webinar “Key Legal and Financial Safeguards for Your Practice and Vital Assets” to healthcare providers who own and/or manage their own practices.

Honors & Awards

Marissa has received various honors given for exhibiting excellence in the practice area. Marissa was named as a Finalist for the New Jersey Law Journal Innovator Award in 2024 and Marissa was selected for inclusion as a Forty Under 40 honoree by NJBIZ in 2023. Since 2022, Marissa has been recognized annually by the prestigious Chambers USA Guide. Marissa was also named as a “New Leader of the Bar” by the New Jersey Law Journal in 2022. Additionally, Marissa was recognized as a “2022 Employment Law Trailblazer” and a “2022 Cannabis Law Trailblazer” by the National Law Journal. Since 2020, Marissa has been selected annually to the New Jersey Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list for her work in labor and employment law.

No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court in any state. 

See Award Methodology.