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Domenico (Nick) Zaino

Domenico (Nick) Zaino

Partner

  • Waterbury
  • [email protected]

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Legal Services

  • Labor & Employment
  • Municipal Law
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Education

  • University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D., 1996
  • Trinity College, B.A., 1993

Admissions

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  • New York
  • Connecticut
  • Rhode Island

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut

Domenico (Nick) Zaino

Partner

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Home » Our Team » Domenico (Nick) Zaino

  • Overview
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Nick is co-leader of the firm’s Business Services Group. He practices primarily in the area of labor and employment law and has extensive experience counseling, representing, and training employers on all aspects of the employment relationship. Nick also has experience representing employers in traditional labor matters including negotiating collective bargaining agreements, arbitrating grievances, and defending unfair labor practice complaints.  His clients range from small to large companies in various industries such as banking, health care, education, manufacturing, engineering, retail, construction, and non-profit organizations.

Working closely with C-level executives, in-house counsel, human resource professionals and business owners, Nick provides pragmatic advice on compliance and preventative strategies related to virtually every type of employment issue including: managing employees with medical issues; workplace investigations; discrimination and harassment; hiring and employee discipline; handling retaliation/whistleblower issues; workforce restructuring and downsizing; drafting employment, retention, separation, non-competition, confidentiality, change in control, and independent contractor agreements; wage and hour compliance; and labor law. Nick regularly conducts training on these issues, tailoring the programs to address the employer’s needs.

Nick’s practice also focuses on representing clients in the education sector, including independent private schools and universities. He works closely with heads of schools, deans, and other school administrators on student and employee disciplinary matters, investigations of wrongdoing, employment contracts, enrollment agreements, child abuse and neglect allegations, and a myriad of other day-to-day compliance and risk management issues.

In 2024, Nick successfully completed 40 hours of Mediation Skills Training from the Quinnipiac School of Law Center on Dispute Resolution.

“Domenico Zaino is frequently sought out for representation by employers in sexual harassment and retaliation claims. He also handles WARN Act disputes and discrimination cases.”

Chambers USA Guide 2023

“Nick is an outstanding lawyer who has mastered the art of being a deep subject matter expert who provides practical and effective solutions.”

Chambers USA Guide 2025

Affiliations

  • Connecticut Bar Association – Board of Governors, 2015-2016

  • Past Chair of the Connecticut Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section and current Ex-Officio Executive Committee Member

  • American Bar Association – Labor and Employment Section

Distinctions

  • Best Lawyers® – Employment Law: Management, 2021-2025

  • Ranked in Chambers USA Guide – Labor & Employment, Connecticut, 2010-2025

  • Who’s Who Legal: Labour and Employment and Thought Leader, 2015-2024

  • Connecticut Super Lawyers® – Employment & Labor, 2010-2024

Community

  • Board of Directors, Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Board Member, Naugatuck Valley Community College Foundation
  • Personnel Committee, United Way of Greater Waterbury

Experience

  • Counseled a large, regional employer on planning and implementation of all aspects of a company-wide reduction in force, including conducting a disparate impact analysis, WARN Act obligations, severance agreements, and notices to employees.

  • Counseled client through labor union representation petition and negotiated first labor contract.

  • Conducted extensive reviews and audits of wage and hour practices and coordinated large-scale reclassification of exempt positions.

  • Conducted extensive revisions of policies and practices for multi-state employer relating to FMLA, criminal background checks, hiring forms, and paid time off policies.

  • Obtained numerous dismissals of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation complaints.

  • Successful representation of employers in Department of Labor audits and complaints on wage and hour issues, and issues related to the classification of workers as independent contractors.

Supreme Court Rejects Heightened Scrutiny for Discrimination Claims by Majority Groups

June 27, 2025
The United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision on June 5, 2025, holding that members of a majority group, such as males, heterosexual and white individuals, do not have to meet a higher evidentiary standard than a member of a minority group when bringing discrimination and retaliation claims under
Read More

Carmody Ranked in Chambers USA 2025

June 09, 2025
Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey LLP is pleased to be ranked in Chambers USA 2025 in the following practice areas: Labor & Employment Litigation: General Commercial Real Estate Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use Chambers is one of the leaders in identifying, ranking and differentiating the best talent for law firms. Lawyers ranked individually in
Read More

Court Issues Significant Decision Impacting ADA Reasonable Accommodation Standard

May 08, 2025
The Second Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Connecticut, New York and Vermont, recently issued a decision that clarifies the obligations employers have to provide a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In Tudor v. Whitehall Central School District (2d Cir., March 25, 2025), the Second Circuit
Read More

Impact of Executive Orders and EEOC Guidance on Employer DEI Programs

April 09, 2025
Shortly after taking office, President Trump issued several executive orders that impact employer-sponsored diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) also stated that it is stepping up enforcement of illegal discrimination arising from DEI programs. All employers should be aware of these developments and assess
Read More

Texas Court Invalidates Overtime Rule

November 22, 2024
On November 15, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a nationwide order vacating the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) 2024 Final Rule increasing the minimum salary levels for exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Prior to the 2024 Final Rule, the
Read More

HR Legal Update and Networking Event

June 25, 2025
With so many changes already underway at the federal level and proposed legislative changes pending at the Connecticut General Assembly, staying informed is more important than ever for Connecticut employers. Join Carmody’s Labor & Employment team for an essential seminar tailored for HR professionals, business leaders, and in-house legal counsel. We'll break
Read More

HR Hotline Live: Avoiding Hiring Hazards

June 04, 2025
Hiring a new employee isn’t just about finding the right skills and experience—it’s also a legal minefield. From interview questions to background checks, missteps can lead to costly compliance issues. Carmody Labor & Employment partners Vincent Farisello and Nick Zaino join CBIA’s HR counsel Diane Mokriski for this productive virtual event.
Read More

2025 Executive Orders and Their Impact on HR

March 20, 2025
Labor & Employment partners Vincent Farisello and Nick Zaino discuss key developments that have occurred at the federal level that significantly impact employers and human resource leaders: Key learning points: Various Executive Orders targeting DEI initiatives, affirmative action and discrimination laws Major development at the NLRB and new leadership at
Read More

Major Changes to Connecticut’s Paid Sick Leave Law

January 16, 2025
Carmody Labor & Employment partners Vincent Farisello and Nick Zaino discuss the major changes to Connecticut's Paid Sick Leave Law that became effective January 1, 2025, in this informal Zoom session through the Waterbury Regional Chamber's Human Resources Council. Register here.

HR Hotline Live: Managing Employee Absences

February 25, 2025
Get answers to your toughest questions about FMLA, paid sick leave, no-shows, and more in this interactive Q&A session with Carmody partners Vincent Farisello and Nick Zaino. Register here.

HR Hotline Live: Paid Sick Leave Update

December 05, 2024
Connecticut’s new paid sick leave law has brought confusion and frustration to many employers. Whether you’ve already attended training on the new law, or are just beginning, this HR Hotline Live webinar will clear up the confusion, simplify the issues, and outline exactly what you need to know for compliance.
Read More

HR Hotline Live: Prevent & Navigate Workplace Discrimination Complaints

June 03, 2024
Navigating the complexities of workplace discrimination complaints can be daunting. However, arming yourself with the right knowledge and strategies can protect your organization from potential legal pitfalls. Join us June 3 for HR Hotline Live: Prevent & Navigate Workplace Discrimination Complaints, where CBIA HR Counsel Diane Mokriski and Carmody Torrance
Read More

FMLA Compliance and Managing Medical Leave

May 15, 2024
Please join us for this highly interactive half-day workshop where we will tackle one of today’s most challenging areas for employers – FMLA compliance and managing employee medical leaves. We will discuss numerous real-world scenarios that will provide attendees with an understanding of their obligations under the Connecticut and federal
Read More

The Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges Annual Member Forum

November 03, 2023
CCIC's Annual Forum provides our members with an opportunity to gain information and discuss solutions with industry experts and colleagues from other institutions about the latest trends on campuses.   Carmody will provide a review of new Connecticut laws that were passed during the most recent legislative session and bills
Read More
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