BernardOlshansky
Associate
Labor & Employment
bolshansky@seyfarth.com
Bernie’s experience as a litigator informs his practice as a counselor, and vice versa. Admitted in both New York and California, he draws on his deep knowledge to solve complicated, multistate legal issues.
More About Bernie
A substantial portion of Bernie’s practice focuses on the defense of claims for workplace harassment, wrongful termination, employment discrimination, retaliation, and breach of employment contracts. In addition, Bernie’s practice involves the defense of wage and hour class and collective actions. He has taken and defended depositions, opposed class certification, and drafted motions for summary judgment. Bernie enjoys developing a rapport with clients and opposing counsel alike to enable all parties to a litigation to resolve it as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Bernie has been instrumental in achieving significant legal victories for major clients. Notably, Bernie helped secure a favorable resolution to a multimillion-dollar federal class and collective action lawsuit that spanned several years, demonstrating his experience and ability to reach a compromise. Additionally, Bernie won summary judgment and dismissal of a single-plaintiff federal lawsuit, showcasing his ability to effectively defend clients in complex legal matters. Bernie also takes substantial pride in devoting significant time to pro bono efforts, assisting an incarcerated client with efforts to win his release.
Bernie also counsels clients regarding the ever-changing workplace safety landscape, including laws and orders requiring COVID-19 vaccination, masking, hazard pay, and workplace violence prevention. Further, Bernie counsels a range of clients on general employment policies and practices, in addition to paid sick leave, including preparing and reviewing policies and employee handbooks. Bernie draws on his admissions in both California and New York in counseling clients on increasingly complicated legal frameworks.
Bernie has played a crucial role in assisting several major clients with comprehensive overhauls of their paid sick and family leave policies. His efforts have ensured these policies are aligned with the latest legal requirements, providing better support for employees. Furthermore, Bernie has been pivotal in creating workplace safety policies that comply with new legal frameworks, enhancing the overall safety and compliance of his clients' workplaces.
Bernie has been instrumental in achieving significant legal victories for major clients. Notably, Bernie helped secure a favorable resolution to a multimillion-dollar federal class and collective action lawsuit that spanned several years, demonstrating his experience and ability to reach a compromise. Additionally, Bernie won summary judgment and dismissal of a single-plaintiff federal lawsuit, showcasing his ability to effectively defend clients in complex legal matters. Bernie also takes substantial pride in devoting significant time to pro bono efforts, assisting an incarcerated client with efforts to win his release.
Bernie also counsels clients regarding the ever-changing workplace safety landscape, including laws and orders requiring COVID-19 vaccination, masking, hazard pay, and workplace violence prevention. Further, Bernie counsels a range of clients on general employment policies and practices, in addition to paid sick leave, including preparing and reviewing policies and employee handbooks. Bernie draws on his admissions in both California and New York in counseling clients on increasingly complicated legal frameworks.
Bernie has played a crucial role in assisting several major clients with comprehensive overhauls of their paid sick and family leave policies. His efforts have ensured these policies are aligned with the latest legal requirements, providing better support for employees. Furthermore, Bernie has been pivotal in creating workplace safety policies that comply with new legal frameworks, enhancing the overall safety and compliance of his clients' workplaces.
- JD, Fordham University School of Law
Cum laude
Intellectual Property, Media, and Entertainment Law Journal - BA, University of Washington
With honors
- California
- New York
- US District Court, Central District of California
- US District Court, Eastern District of California
- US District Court, Northern District of California
- US District Court, Southern District of California
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
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- Co-Author, "California Loosens Indoor Masking Requirements for the Unvaccinated," California Peculiarities Employment Law Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 2, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus — Part 34: California To Reenact COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 3, 2022)
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- Co-Author, "Hap-Hazard Pay: COVID-19 Hazard Pay Ordinances," California Peculiarities Employment Law Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 29, 2021)
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- Co-Editor, "Approaches to Workplace Mental Health Issues in the United States," 13th Annual ABA Labor and Employment Law Conference, New Orleans, LA (November 8, 2019)
Bernie’s experience as a litigator informs his practice as a counselor, and vice versa. Admitted in both New York and California, he draws on his deep knowledge to solve complicated, multistate legal issues.
More About Bernie
A substantial portion of Bernie’s practice focuses on the defense of claims for workplace harassment, wrongful termination, employment discrimination, retaliation, and breach of employment contracts. In addition, Bernie’s practice involves the defense of wage and hour class and collective actions. He has taken and defended depositions, opposed class certification, and drafted motions for summary judgment. Bernie enjoys developing a rapport with clients and opposing counsel alike to enable all parties to a litigation to resolve it as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Bernie has been instrumental in achieving significant legal victories for major clients. Notably, Bernie helped secure a favorable resolution to a multimillion-dollar federal class and collective action lawsuit that spanned several years, demonstrating his experience and ability to reach a compromise. Additionally, Bernie won summary judgment and dismissal of a single-plaintiff federal lawsuit, showcasing his ability to effectively defend clients in complex legal matters. Bernie also takes substantial pride in devoting significant time to pro bono efforts, assisting an incarcerated client with efforts to win his release.
Bernie also counsels clients regarding the ever-changing workplace safety landscape, including laws and orders requiring COVID-19 vaccination, masking, hazard pay, and workplace violence prevention. Further, Bernie counsels a range of clients on general employment policies and practices, in addition to paid sick leave, including preparing and reviewing policies and employee handbooks. Bernie draws on his admissions in both California and New York in counseling clients on increasingly complicated legal frameworks.
Bernie has played a crucial role in assisting several major clients with comprehensive overhauls of their paid sick and family leave policies. His efforts have ensured these policies are aligned with the latest legal requirements, providing better support for employees. Furthermore, Bernie has been pivotal in creating workplace safety policies that comply with new legal frameworks, enhancing the overall safety and compliance of his clients' workplaces.
Bernie has been instrumental in achieving significant legal victories for major clients. Notably, Bernie helped secure a favorable resolution to a multimillion-dollar federal class and collective action lawsuit that spanned several years, demonstrating his experience and ability to reach a compromise. Additionally, Bernie won summary judgment and dismissal of a single-plaintiff federal lawsuit, showcasing his ability to effectively defend clients in complex legal matters. Bernie also takes substantial pride in devoting significant time to pro bono efforts, assisting an incarcerated client with efforts to win his release.
Bernie also counsels clients regarding the ever-changing workplace safety landscape, including laws and orders requiring COVID-19 vaccination, masking, hazard pay, and workplace violence prevention. Further, Bernie counsels a range of clients on general employment policies and practices, in addition to paid sick leave, including preparing and reviewing policies and employee handbooks. Bernie draws on his admissions in both California and New York in counseling clients on increasingly complicated legal frameworks.
Bernie has played a crucial role in assisting several major clients with comprehensive overhauls of their paid sick and family leave policies. His efforts have ensured these policies are aligned with the latest legal requirements, providing better support for employees. Furthermore, Bernie has been pivotal in creating workplace safety policies that comply with new legal frameworks, enhancing the overall safety and compliance of his clients' workplaces.
- JD, Fordham University School of Law
Cum laude
Intellectual Property, Media, and Entertainment Law Journal - BA, University of Washington
With honors
- California
- New York
- US District Court, Central District of California
- US District Court, Eastern District of California
- US District Court, Northern District of California
- US District Court, Southern District of California
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
Related Services
Related News & Insights
-
Legal Update
Feb 5, 2025
New York Set to Amend Law Addressing Retail Employee Workplace Violence Prevention
-
Legal Update
Jan 28, 2025
Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Program Signed Into Law
-
Legal Update
Sep 10, 2024
New York Law to Provide Protections Against Workplace Violence for Retail Employees
-
Legal Update
Jun 20, 2024
New Bill Seeks to Provide New York State Warehouse Workers with Additional Injury Protections
- Co-Author, “New York Set to Amend Law Addressing Retail Employee Workplace Violence Prevention,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 5, 2025)
- Co-Author, “Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Program Signed Into Law,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 28, 2025)
- Co-Author, “New York Law to Provide Protections Against Workplace Violence for Retail Employees,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 10, 2024)
- Co-Author, “New Bill Seeks to Provide New York State Warehouse Workers with Additional Injury Protections,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 20, 2024)
- Co-Author, "New York Bill Would Provide Protections Against Workplace Violence for Retail Employees," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 11, 2024)
- Co-Author, "How Antidiscrimination Laws Apply to Employees Who Work Remotely," New York State Bar Association (April 29, 2024)
- Co-Editors, Litigating CA Wage & Hour Class and PAGA Actions, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, 23rd Edition (2024)
- Co-Author, "If Pain, Yes Gain – Part 120: CDC Shortens COVID-19 Isolation Guidelines; Potential Impact on New York COVID-19 Paid Leave," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 6, 2024)
- Co-Author, "NYC Council Proposes Broad Non-Compete Ban," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 1, 2024)
- Co-Author, "New York Non-Compete Ban is Off the Table—For Now," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 26, 2023)
- Co-Author, "New York Legislature Considers Revised Non-Compete Ban," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 21, 2023)
- Co-Author, "If Pain, Yes Gain – Part 113: California Officially Expands Statewide Paid Sick Leave Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 10, 2023)
- Co-Author, "If Pain, Yes Gain – Part 111: California State Legislature Passes Amendments to Statewide Paid Sick Leave Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 15, 2023)
- Co-Author, "New York Inching Toward Ban of Employee Non-Compete Agreements," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 21, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Legal Update: New York City Announces Nation’s First Minimum Wage for App-Based Delivery Drivers," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 12, 2023)
- Co-Author, "New York City's COVID Vaccine Mandate Challenges: Momentary or Sustainable Success?," New York Law Journal (March 21, 2023)
- Co-Author, "New York City's COVID Vaccine Mandate Challenges Momentary or Sustainable Success," New York Law Journal (March 17, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Happy Holidays, New York Employers! Critical Employment Law Updates for December 2022," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 28, 2022)
- Co-Editor, Litigating California Wage & Hour Class and PAGA Actions, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, 22nd Edition (2022)
- Co-Author, "New York Strengthens Worker Protections for Retaliation Based on Legally Protected Absences," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 1, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Fair Work Week Ordinance: Los Angeles City Joins the Fray," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 23, 2022)
- Co-Author, "New York Court Strikes Down NYC COVID-19 Vaccination Mandates," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 26, 2022)
- Co-Author, "If Pain (Or Anything Else), Yes Gain—Part 100: Lights, Camera, . . .West Hollywood, CA Local Paid Time Off Ordinance," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 23, 2022)
- Co-Author, "New Statute Would Mandate Broad Disclosures by New York Warehouse Employers," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 8, 2022)
- Co-Author, "California Loosens Indoor Masking Requirements for the Unvaccinated," California Peculiarities Employment Law Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 2, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus — Part 34: California To Reenact COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 3, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Groundhog Day: California Reenacts COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave," California Peculiarities Employment Law Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 3, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Hap-Hazard Pay: COVID-19 Hazard Pay Ordinances," California Peculiarities Employment Law Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 29, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Cool for the Summer," California Peculiarities Employment Law Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 22, 2019)
- Co-Speaker, "Assessing Supplier Diversity Risks in the Post-Students for Fair Admissions Landscape," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 27, 2023)
- Co-Editor, "Approaches to Workplace Mental Health Issues in the United States," 13th Annual ABA Labor and Employment Law Conference, New Orleans, LA (November 8, 2019)