Jillian R. Orticelli

Jillian Orticelli’s practice focuses on defense litigation in employment and education matters, investigations, and preventive counseling. Jillian defends employers and educators against claims of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, and violation of wage and hour laws, including FLSA collective action claims.

Her experience also includes proactive restrictive covenant and trade secret misappropriation litigation and appellate matters. She appears regularly before state and federal courts, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and the U.S. and Connecticut Departments of Labor.

Jillian’s legal skills extend beyond litigation to advising on compliance issues and employment terminations, including reductions in force, preparing employment agreements and workplace policies, and presenting onsite employee training. Jillian represents colleges, universities, and primary and secondary schools advising on matters of student discipline, policies, board governance, disability accommodation, and federal and state regulatory issues including the Department of Labor’s Dear Colleague Letters, the Clery Act, Campus SaVE Act, Title IX and VAWA. She is involved in investigations of sexual misconduct, harassment, discrimination, and other alleged wrongdoing.

Prior to joining the firm, Jillian practiced at national and regional boutique law firms focusing on management-side employment litigation and workplace law.  She served as law clerk to retired Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, Ellen Ash Peters, and retired Chief Judge of the Connecticut Appellate Court, Antoinette L. Dupont, at the Connecticut Appellate Court.

Education:

• University of Connecticut School of Law (J.D., 2010)
• University of Connecticut (B.A., with honors, 2007)

Professional & Community Involvement:

• American Bar Association
• Connecticut Bar Association
• Board of Directors, University of Connecticut School of Law Alumni Association (2015-Present)
• Board of Directors, Connecticut Italian American Bar Association (2017-Present)
• Secretary, Oliver Ellsworth American Inns of Court (2018-2021)
• Employers Counsel Network
• Volunteer, Pro Bono Partnership