Michael D. Palmer
Top rated Employment & Labor attorney in New York, New York
Practice Areas:
Employment & labor,
Employment litigation,
Discrimination,
Employment law - employee,
Sexual harassment,
Wage & hour laws,
Whistleblower,
Wrongful termination
Education Qualification:
New York University School of Law
Practice Areas:
Employment & labor,
Employment litigation,
Discrimination,
Employment law - employee,
Sexual harassment,
Wage & hour laws,
Whistleblower,
Wrongful termination
17 State Street, Suite 3700New York, New York, 10004
First Admitted: 2005, New York
Professional Webpage: https://www.sanfordheisler.com/team/michael-palmer/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
- United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- State of New York
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Litigated a False Claims Act qui tam case against Roche and Humana companies on behalf of a whistleblower who alleged that the defendants engaged in a kickback scheme, resulting in a settlement of greater than $12 million., 2021
- Served as counsel for the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against Forest Laboratories, Inc., and Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Forest”) in federal court in New York, alleging, among other claims, that Forest discriminates against its female Sales Representatives by paying them less than their male counterparts. The Plaintiffs also alleged claims of failure to promote, discrimination based on pregnancy and maternity leave, sexual harassment, and retaliation. In 2014, the Court denied Forest’s attempt to dismiss the Plaintiffs’ claims, and in 2015 the Court conditionally certified a class under the Equal Pay Act (EPA). In June 2018, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight secured final approval of a $4 million class settlement. , 2018
- Litigated an overtime class action against telecom company Alaska Communications System and obtained a multi-million dollar settlement on behalf of sales employees who alleged they were misclassified as exempt from overtime pay under state and federal law., 2022
- United States of America ex rel. Derrick v. Hoffman-La Roche LTD et al.
- U.S. ex rel. Simmons v. Meridian (M.D. Tenn.)
- United States ex rel. Gale v. Omnicare (N.D. Ohio)
Representative Clients:
- Representing Fabio Silva, a former General Counsel for global fashion brand Armani, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in Mr. Silva's lawsuit against Armani, filed in September 2015, alleging discrimination based on national origin and disability, and retaliation, in violation of the New York City Human Rights Law., 2025
- Mr. Palmer is representing Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in claims of religious discrimination and retaliation against Teachers College Columbia University (Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess v. Teachers College, Columbia University, Case No.: 1:24-cv-02891-JMF). The lawsuit, filed in April 2024 on behalf of Dr. Amra Sabic‑El‑Rayess, an accomplished scholar in educational displacement, hate prevention, and storytelling, alleges that her religion (Islam) has functioned as a glass ceiling at the College. The Complaint further alleges that following her complaints of discrimination, the College retaliated against Dr. Sabic‑El‑Rayess, including by refusing to consider her for tenure track and reducing her regular wages. , 2025
- Mr. Palmer is representing the plaintiffs in a class and collective action in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Southwest Airlines, alleging pervasive wage law violations affecting the economic livelihoods of hundreds of the airline’s baggage and cargo handlers at airports across New York State (Richard Strain and David Garner, et al. v. Southwest Airlines, Co., et al., Case No.: 2:24-cv-08885)., 2025
- The Complaint alleges that Schlumberger knowingly permitted women who work on male-dominated oil rigs to be sexually harassed, assaulted, and discriminated against by their male colleagues. Represented plaintiffs with claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation (Saidman v. Schlumberger Tech. Corp., No. 4:20-cv-012193 (S.D. Tex.)), 2023
- Mr. Palmer is representing thousands of Oracle America, Inc. sales employees in a class action filed in California Superior Court (San Mateo County) in September 2015. The lawsuit alleges that Oracle engaged in unlawful practices against sales representatives by failing to comply with laws governing commission agreements and failing to pay sales representatives all earned commissions, among other allegations. The lawsuit was brought under California's Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), wherein “aggrieved employees” may file a lawsuit on behalf of themselves and other employees for employer violations of the California Labor Code. Mr. Palmer has been lead counsel for plaintiffs through two liability trials, resulting in decisions recognizing that Oracle America violated state laws and failed to fully and timely pay employees earned commissions. The parties are currently engaged in discovery regarding the extent of PAGA penalties. The final phase of trial is expected to occur in 2025. , 2023
Honors/Awards:
- Mr. Palmer has been named a New York Metro Super Lawyer every year (except 2018) from 2016 to 2023., Super Lawyer, New York Metro Super Lawyer, 2023
- The 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Civil Rights and Plaintiff Employment Lawyers, Lawdragon, 2024
- 2023 Lawdragon 500 Leading Civil Rights & Plaintiff Employment Lawyers, https://www.lawdragon.com/guides/2023-07-28-the-2023-lawdragon-500-leading-civil-rights-plaintiff-employment-lawyers, 2023
- New York Metro Rising Star, Super Lawyers
- Labor & Employment Star - Northeast, Benchmark Litigation, 2020
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyer, Lawdragon, 2020
- 2019 Benchmark Litigation Labor & Employment Star - Northeast in the practice area of Labor & Employment, Benchmark Litigation Labor & Employment Star, Benchmark Litigation, 2019
Educational Background:
- The University of Texas, B.A., 2000
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