Giovanna Tiberii Weller is a seasoned trial lawyer and trusted advisor to CEOs, boards of directors, and senior executives across a broad range of industries. As Co-leader of Carmody’s Litigation Practice and past chair of the Employment Litigation Practice, Giovanna brings over 30 years of experience representing public and private companies of all sizes in high-stakes litigation and complex employment matters. Giovanna regularly advises educational institutions, including private schools, heads of schools, and their boards of trustees, on legal issues such as employment, governance, mandated reporting, student disciplinary issues, Title IX and litigation matters.
“A great legal strategist and a talented advocate with excellent, clear-eyed judgment.”
– Client, Chambers USA
“Giovanna Tiberii Weller has a significant reputation as one of the state’s top labor and employment litigators.”
– Benchmark Litigation
“[Giovanna’s] ability to relate to clients, judges and juries is unparalleled. She has an innate ability to feel her client’s case and effectively communicate that feeling to judges and juries. She is definitely a go to litigator.”
– In-House Counsel for global producer of specialty chemical products
Giovanna has a proven track record of success in defending employers and schools in federal and state courts against claims involving:
Giovanna has argued appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the Connecticut Supreme Court, and the Connecticut Appellate Court. She also has extensive experience before regulatory agencies, including the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Giovanna regularly trains management personnel and HR professionals on a wide variety of employment related topics.
Her clients include large and small employers such as:
Giovanna is experienced in conducting confidential workplace investigations to advise senior management and corporate boards. In 2024, Giovanna successfully completed 40 hours of Mediation Skills Training from the Quinnipiac School of Law Center on Dispute Resolution.
Fellow, American Bar Association
Fellow, Connecticut Bar Association
Fellow, Connecticut Bar Foundation
Appointed by Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court to serve as member of the Appellate Rules Advisory Committee, 2004-present
Best Lawyers® – Litigation: Labor and Employment, 2021-2026, Employment Law: Management, 2024-2026, Labor Law: Management, 2024-2026
Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers® in New Haven, Connecticut – Employment Law – Management, 2023
Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation, 2025-2026
Future Litigation Star and Labor & Employment Star, Benchmark Litigation, 2020-2024
Ranked in Chambers USA Guide – Labor & Employment, Connecticut, 2025
Connecticut Super Lawyers® – Employment Litigation Defense, 2007-2025, Top Super Lawyer, 2023, 2025
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Connecticut, Super Lawyers®, 2025
Top 50 Women Lawyers in New England, Super Lawyers®, 2019
Top 10 Most Influential Labor & Employment Lawyers in Connecticut 2023, Business Today
Top Tier ranking, Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers, 2017-2023
Top 25 Women Lawyers in Connecticut, Connecticut Magazine, 2009, 2011, 2018-2022
New England Super Lawyers® – Employment Litigation Defense, General Litigation, Employment & Labor, 2007-2019
AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings
Waterbury Young Lawyers’ Award, 2003
Judicial Law Clerk for Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Robert I. Berdon, 1991-1992
Editor, International Law Journal, 1990-1991
Successful lead counsel in jury trial of sex discrimination and retaliation case involving current employee.
Obtained defense verdict after a jury trial involving a claim of breach of contract brought by a former student against a large private university.
Successful lead counsel on appellate team that secured employer-friendly federal appellate court decision providing novel interpretation of state jurisdictional statute in favor of employers with out-of-state former employees.
Outside employment litigation counsel for several companies, including utilities and regional bank.
Enforced covenants not to compete and non-solicitation agreements in state and federal courts.
Obtained injunction and sanctions on behalf of herbal remedies company against former employee who had violated covenant not to compete and misappropriated trade secrets.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of employer in two matters in federal court brought by former employees alleging disability and sexual orientation discrimination claims.
Presented customized, in-house training programs in several states for large manufacturing client.