DovKesselman

Partner

Dov practices in all aspects of labor and employment law for private sector, financial institutions, higher education, and nonprofit organizations, as well as representing foreign companies in the US.


More About Dov

Clients need practical, real-world advice, driven by experience. They want to know not just the law, but real-world advice on what to do in the difficult matters facing them. When it comes to litigation, Dov is aggressive in achieving his clients' goals, while keeping in mind the implications litigation can have on his clients' business. Whether dealing with claims of discrimination or harassment, wage and hour claims, breach of contract, or unfair dismissal allegations, he works to win. Dov aggressively litigates cases, counsels clients through difficult scenarios, and resolves matters fairly and economically.

Dov has represented clients in employment matters in nearly every industry for nearly 25 years. He has broad litigation, arbitration, and trial experience defending employers and management against claims of discrimination and harassment under federal, state, and city anti-discrimination laws, claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act, wrongful termination, breach of contract and related theories, and enforcement of restrictive covenant or noncompetition matters. Using his mixture of aggressive litigation strategies, his knowledge of his client's industries and standards, and his personable approach and relationships of respect with opposing counsel, he has successfully defended employers in court, FINRA, and private arbitration. He has broad experience conducting sensitive internal investigations representing clients in negotiating executive employment and separation agreements, as well as assisting companies in the protection of corporate assets and trade secrets. In addition, Dov actively works with higher education clients in tenure and student discipline matters, representing dozens of universities on the East Coast and across the nation.

As a trial lawyer and counselor, each of Dov's roles helps inform the other. His experience as a litigator helps provide real-world advice to clients with an eye toward how a certain action will be perceived by a judge or jury down the road. At the same time, Dov's experience as a counselor and advisor helps him appreciate what actually happens "in the trenches" in the workplace, and how to tell the story that resonates to an ultimate fact-finder.

Dov has always enjoyed getting to know the underlying business of his clients—whether it is more broadly making sure he understands objectives, or visiting the workplace to learn the layout and interactions of coworkers in defending a litigation. As a result, his advice and strategies reflect not just the immediate legal matters, but the overall long-term goals and needs.

Dov appreciates being able to draw upon Seyfarth's extensive network of attorneys, professionals, and resources to help solve a wide range of matters. This support allows for cost savings and efficiencies for his clients. In turn, his clients appreciate that Dov's colleagues are uniformly focused on delivering superior service.

  • JD, New York University School of Law

    Review of Law and Social Change, staff editor

  • BA, Yeshiva University
    Economics

    Valedictorian
    Summa cum laude
    Stanley Broff Memorial Award for Excellence in Economics
    Gottesman Award for Scholarship, Ethics & Character

  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
  • US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
  • US District Court, District of Connecticut
  • US District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • US District Court, Northern District of New York
  • US District Court, Southern District of New York
  • US District Court, Western District of New York