Christian M. Mercado

Christian Mercado focuses his practice on all aspects of labor and employment law, including litigation, counseling, and compliance. 

Christian defends employers in matters ranging from single-plaintiff lawsuits to large class actions involving wage and hour claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act, New York Labor Law, and other state-level wage and hour laws, as well as discrimination claims, in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies. He has particular experience defending clients in the restaurant, hospitality, and healthcare industries. In addition to his litigation practice, Christian counsels employers on compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, helping clients navigate workplace issues and reduce risk. 

As a former plaintiff-side employment litigator, Christian brings a unique strategic perspective to employer defense, allowing him to anticipate adversaries’ arguments, identify vulnerabilities, and craft effective litigation strategies.

Before joining the firm, Christian was an associate at a management-side labor and employment law firm, and prior to that, he practiced at a boutique employment litigation firm, where he represented employees and employers in federal and state courts, before government agencies, and in private arbitration.