Howard "Howie" Fetner represents employers in state and federal courts, arbitrations and before administrative agencies in employment matters, including discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful termination, non-competition, non-solicitation and breach of contract. He advises employers on matters such as employee hiring, discipline, and termination; employment contracts; employee policies and handbooks; wage and hour issues; internal investigations; disability accommodation and other employment-related issues. Howie also represents individuals and businesses in probate litigation, complex commercial disputes, and appeals.
Howie served as judicial clerk to Judge Barrington D. Parker, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 2001-2003.
Successfully represented an employer in federal court jury trial of former employee’s race and national origin discrimination claims
Successfully represented a nonprofit employer in court trial of former employee’s breach of contract claim
Won summary judgment for an employer on former employee’s age discrimination and disability discrimination claims; successfully defended judgment on appeal
Won summary judgment for employers in state and federal court discrimination, hostile work environment and breach of contract lawsuits
Successfully defended an employer from an employee's whistleblower retaliation claim under Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Successfully represented an employer in obtaining damages from former employee for theft of confidential information
Won summary judgment for a university on a professor’s claims arising from denial of tenure; successfully defended judgment on appeal
Won summary judgment for a university on defamation, negligence and breach of contract claims seeking $55 million in damages; successfully defended judgment on appeal
Defended university against claims brought by vexatious litigant and successfully enjoined plaintiff from filing additional motions or claims against the client
Represented an independent school in defense of former student’s sexual abuse claim
Conducted an investigation for independent school of former student’s sexual abuse claim
Won judgment for a trust settlor on claim brought by trust beneficiary alleging fraudulent adoptions; successfully defended judgment on appeal
Successfully represented a trust beneficiary in claims against trustee concerning misuse of trust funds
Successfully represented family members in claims concerning undue influence and lack of capacity with respect to revisions to relative’s estate plan
Won summary judgment for a newspaper on defamation and false light invasion of privacy claims
Won summary judgment for a company on antitrust claim brought by competitor; successfully defended judgment on appeal
Obtained upgrade in discharge status in pro bono representation of a U.S. Army veteran
Selected to the list of Connecticut Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), Employment and Labor, 2016-2018
No aspect of these advertisements has been approved by the highest court of any state. See Awards Methodology.