Megan Youngling Carannante

Megan Y. Carannante is co-chair of the firm’s Labor, Employment Law and Employee Benefits Department.  Clients rely on her extensive experience as a seasoned litigator and counselor, to help them proactively resolve business, employment and construction disputes as quickly and favorably as possible. Clients appreciate her keen understanding of their desire to focus on business and minimize the costs associated with protracted litigation.

Megan represents clients ranging from small business owners to Fortune 500 companies in state and federal court, mediation and arbitration.  She regularly represents employers before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and other state and federal agencies. A former Connecticut Appellate Court clerk, Megan has significant appellate experience. She is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and New York as well as Connecticut and regularly represents clients in these jurisdictions. 

Megan regularly counsels employers to ensure they are in compliance with state and federal law and assists them in navigating and resolving complicated personnel issues.  She provides sexual harassment training and other training to supervisors on a regular basis and assists employers in crafting employment practices and procedures which facilitate and promote a productive and inclusive workplace.

Featured in the firm's centennial years' annual report,  Megan recognizes, above all else, that communication and responsiveness are paramount and strives to keep her clients involved and informed throughout the duration of their alliance.

Office

Professional Affiliations

Connecticut Bar Association - Member, Construction, Labor and Employment, and Women in Law Sections

Oliver Ellsworth Inn of Court

Community Involvement

March of Dimes -  former secretary, Connecticut State Board of directors

Junior League of Hartford – sustaining member

Honors & Recognitions

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of labor and employment litigation in 2022, employment law - management for 2023 and 2024 and construction litigation for 2024

Recipient of the Hartford Business Journal's "40 Under 40" award for 2015

Recipient of the Connecticut Law Tribune's "New Leaders in the Law" award

Selected to the Super Lawyers  list in the areas of business litigation, construction litigation, employment & labor

Litigation Experience    

Employment Defense Matters

• Successfully resolved sexual harassment litigation in Connecticut federal district court for publicly traded global advertising agency, parent media company and national marketing services agency.  
• Regularly represent publicly traded insurance and financial services company in a variety of employment matters in Connecticut, including the defense of claims of disability, race and national origin discrimination in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut and before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.  
• Successfully resolved 31-51q free speech case in Connecticut Superior Court and a case alleging disability discrimination before the Office of Public Hearings for large multistate employer.
• Obtained favorable settlement of lawsuit brought against property management company alleging race discrimination following jury selection in Connecticut Superior Court.
• Obtained “no reasonable cause findings” and other favorable results, from the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities for automotive dealer, medical provider and other employers on sexual harassment, race discrimination and retaliation claims.
• Assisted federal contractor defending an audit on affirmative action requirements performed by the Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs.

Business and Construction Litigation Matters

• Represented numerous businesses in Connecticut and Massachusetts state and federal courts in various types of litigation matters, involving employment discrimination, trade secrets, unfair trade practices, breach of contract, collections, and mechanic’s liens.    
• Successfully prosecuted and resolved construction defect claim for Connecticut homeowners’ association in Connecticut Superior Court
• Represented international solar developer and construction contractor in dispute with third party inspector arising from the inspector’s negligence and breach of contract which led to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection issuing a cease and desist order on a solar project site.
• Obtained dismissal of all claims brought against national ambulance company on motion to strike and resulting judgment in its favor in Connecticut Superior Court.   
• Defended former shareholder and officer in shareholder dispute in Connecticut Superior Court.

Employment Counseling and Training Experience

• Provide ongoing counseling, advice and support to employers on a wide variety of complex workplace issues.
• Regularly collaborate with employers to create and update comprehensive and legally compliant personnel policies which address issues such as sexual harassment prevention, employee expectations and conduct, PTO, medical leaves of absence and substance abuse issues.
• Conduct interactive, specifically tailored training programs and workshops on various employment topics including leadership, harassment and discrimination prevention, diversity and inclusion, discipline and termination, wage and hour, and leave issues.   
• Assist employers in translating and complying with new and emerging employment laws such as family and medical leave laws, wage and hour laws, cannabis laws, and rules related to the Covid 19 pandemic.
• Draft employment agreements and noncompetition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements for employers and review and negotiate such agreements for employers and executives.
• Assist employers in investigating and responding to internal complaints of sexual harassment and other types of harassment and discrimination.   
• Counsel employers on issues related to employee discipline, terminations and reductions in force.
• Assist employers with implementing, adapting and following hiring practices and procedures.   
• Provide frequent advice and training to the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association and its members on various employment related issues facing dealerships.
• Provide employment counseling, training and employment litigation for a large non-profit community center in the greater Hartford area.     

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