Practice Areas
Regina Waynes Joseph is a member of the bars of New York
and New Jersey and has practiced law for over thirty years.
An arbitrator, mediator, litigator and negotiator, Ms. Joseph
provides prompt and skillful services to all of her clients.
Labor and Employment
The firm's representation of clients extends to all aspects of employment relations including negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, contract administration including grievance arbitrations and disciplinary hearings, development of personnel policies and practices, day to day advice on personnel actions, and representation in discrimination or wrongful discharge claims.
Ms. Joseph has litigated extensively before the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission on scope of negotiations, representation issues, and unfair labor practice charges. She has represented public employers before the Merit System Board (now, New Jersey Civil Service Commission) and the New Jersey Department of Personnel and has handled contested cases before the Office of Administrative Law. Ms. Joseph is experienced in the representation of municipal governments in all aspects of interest arbitration proceedings in police and fire cases and has handled extraordinary litigation stemming from such matters. Further, Ms. Joseph has represented private sector labor clients in matters before the National Labor Relations Board.
The firm has particular experience in the litigation of all types of employment discrimination cases including claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. In particular, Ms. Joseph is experienced in representing clients before the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Ms. Joseph's philosophy is one of preventive labor relations. Rather than acting when a crisis occurs, she believes that proper client counselling can prevent business crises. Consequently, as part of the firm's services to employers, labor audits are conducted in which the entire employment process is examined. In addition, Ms. Joseph is experienced in the development and review of employment handbooks and applications, affirmative action plans, employment confidentiality and non-compete agreements, employment evaluations, warnings, release and related forms, drug testing, disciplinary, absenteeism and related policies, and severance and early retirement plans.
Finally, Ms. Joseph has extensive experience in assisting employers in achieving diverse workforces and developing and implementing policies, procedures and training to ensure that such policies are achieved and that all fair employment laws and regulations are understood and followed by employees.
Dispute Resolution
Ms. Joseph is an Arbitrator on the Dispute Resolution Roster, FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), and the Certified Panel of Arbitrators, National Bar Association. She has arbitrated Employment, Civil Rights, Commercial, Non-Profit, Contracts, Intellectual Property, Entertainment, Construction, and Attorney Fee Arbitration for both public and private sector organizations. Ms. Joseph spent four years as a Member, Vice Chair and Chair of the New Jersey Supreme Court District VC Fee Arbitration Committee responsible for arbitrating fee disputes between attorneys and clients. Further, Ms. Joseph is a Panel Member of the New York City Contract Dispute Resolution Board of the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. She has been retained as a Hearing Officer by municipalities to adjudicate administrative disciplinary matters involving non-represented and union uniformed and civilian employees. She also serves as Arbitrator in private disputes between parties.
Ms. Joseph is a Mediator for the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and served as a New York and New Jersey Super Storm Sandy Mediator administered by the American Arbitration Association, R. 1:40 Qualified Mediator, Roster of New Jersey Court-Approved Civil Mediators, and a member of the Certified Panel of Mediators, National Bar Association. She mediates Employment, Civil Rights, Commercial, Non-Profit, Contracts, Intellectual Property, Entertainment, and Construction matters.
In addition, Ms. Joseph is experienced in representing parties in disputes before arbitration panels and litigates such disputes before a variety of arbitral forums.
Civil Rights
Ms. Joseph is experienced in litigating state and federal constitutional claims, particularly matters arising under the due process clauses of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and claims alleging violations of the freedoms of expression, association, press and religion found in the First Amendment. Further, Ms. Joseph has handled matters on behalf of municipalities and government officials respecting their liability for acts alleged to be a violation of individuals' civil rights under 42 U.S.C. Sections 1981, 1983 and 1985.
Corporate and Not for Profit Corporate Law
Ms. Joseph's representation of corporations, partnerships and individuals includes handling general corporate matters ranging from the review, preparation and negotiation of contracts, issues related to formation and dissolution, to general business advice. In particular, Ms. Joseph is experienced in counselling small and minority owned businesses in matters related to procurement, minority business certification procedures and participation in local, state and federal set-aside programs.
Ms. Joseph has extensive experience in the representation of not for profit, public benefit and religious corporations, community groups and foundations. Services to these clients may include general corporate matters, organizational structuring, licensing, interpretation of government regulations, tax exemption issues, administrative and employment relations matters and general counsel transactional work. Further, Ms. Joseph counsels and trains volunteer Boards of Directors in matters related to their fiduciary and governance obligations to the corporation.
Entertainment Law
Ms. Joseph represents artists, entertainers, journalists, management representatives and corporations in the news and entertainment businesses. Services to these clients include drafting of contracts, business formation, copyright infringement and licensing litigation and general business advice.
She is experienced in negotiating management, recording and licensing agreements, among others, and filing and addressing issues related to copyright registrations with the U.S. Copyright Office. Further, Ms. Joseph has litigated copyright infringement and licensing matters in federal court and supervised forensic royalty accounting in connection with such litigation.
Education Law
Ms. Joseph has substantial experience handling matters arising under the school laws on behalf of local Boards of Education. Her appearances before the New Jersey State Board of Education and Commissioner of Education involved matters ranging from increment withholdings to tenure of school employees.