Covington & Burling LLP operates as a limited liability partnership worldwide, with the practice in England and Wales conducted by an affiliated
limited liability multinational partnership, Covington & Burling LLP, which is formed under the laws of the State of Delaware in the United States
and authorized and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registration number 77071..
Evan Parness, vice chair of the firm’s Employment Practice Group, has a full-service labor and employment practice that includes litigating cutting-edge issues at the trial and appellate levels, negotiating employment aspects of complex M&A deals and other business transactions, and counseling global employers on compliance with national, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
Evan represents employers and senior executives in non-compete, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, ERISA, and business tort litigation in state and federal courts, administrative agencies, and alternative dispute resolution bodies. He has secured significant trial and appellate victories for clients, including complete dismissals of discrimination and retaliation lawsuits, successful verdicts following trial, and injunctive relief on behalf of clients enforcing restrictive covenants.
Evan also counsels established and emerging companies on compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and litigation avoidance measures in connection with all aspects of workplace employment issues. He conducts sensitive internal investigations of alleged discrimination and harassment, and assists employers in shaping workplace policies to comply with law and promote a productive working environment.
Evan advises leading companies on the labor and employment aspects of significant business transactions and acquisitions. He negotiates employment-related provisions in business transaction documents and oversees due diligence of a potential target's employment practices. He also counsels clients on executive employment and restrictive covenants agreements.
Chambers USA notes “Evan is an exceptional and talented lawyer. He possesses a deep understanding of the law and an unwavering commitment to his clients. He has a keen eye for detail and can dissect complex legal issues with remarkable efficiency. His thorough and methodical approach to each case ensures that no stone is left unturned, providing his clients with the best possible legal representation.”
The Legal 500 US notes that clients have commented that "Evan Parness is an amazing attorney. Always attentive and will take instructions outside of business hours, he is always there when we need him and looks for the best outcome for clients."
Secured a complete victory in arbitration in defense of an asset management company in which a former executive sought more than US $30 million in damages for alleged gender discrimination and retaliation.
Representing financial services company in defense of Northern District of Illinois lawsuit in which former senior executive alleges gender and age discrimination, Equal Pay Act, and contract claims.
Representing pharmaceutical company in defense of Eastern District of California lawsuit in which former employee alleges whistleblower retaliation, disability and age discrimination, and related claims.
Represented a large benefits, insurance, and wealth management firm and its affiliates in employment-related matters, including successfully obtaining summary judgment dismissal of an age discrimination lawsuit in federal court.
Secured a unanimous jury verdict on behalf of one of the largest private universities in the U.S. in connection with a series of lawsuits in New York brought by a former adjunct professor alleging retaliation.
Secured an 11th Circuit Court of Appeals victory for a leading healthcare corporation in a restrictive covenants matter, vacating a preliminary injunction that had barred an executive from accepting employment.
Secured a complete trial victory in the Southern District of New York in defense of a large private university in a class action in which the plaintiffs had sought more than US$350 million in damages for alleged ERISA violations.
Represented a leading medical laboratory company in a disability discrimination jury trial; following verdict of no compensatory damages, case was resolved on favorable terms.
Represented a financial services company, including successfully obtaining dismissal of a disability discrimination case before the New York State Division of Human Rights.
Represented a production studio, including successfully obtaining dismissal of a race discrimination and retaliation case before the New York City Commission on Human Rights.
Represented a real estate finance company in successful prosecution of claim for injunctive relief against former executive enforcing non-competition and non-solicitation agreement.
Represented a leading fashion modeling agency, in successfully prosecuting and defending claims concerning alleged breach of employment and non-solicitation agreements, claims for unfair competition, tortious interference, breach of contract and promissory estoppel, including proceedings seeking and obtaining injunctive relief, including recently obtaining dismissal of a lawsuit brought in the Southern District of New York.
Represented a leading manufacturer of premium chocolates in employment-related matters, including advice concerning internal investigations of alleged employee misconduct, employee disciplinary actions, and negotiation of key agreements.
Successfully prosecuted claims for injunctive relief on behalf of one of the nation's leading providers of language translation, document management and litigation support services in multiple actions relating to the enforcement of non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements.
Representative Counseling and Investigation Matters
Conducted sensitive investigations into alleged harassment and discrimination, and, where warranted, advise clients on appropriate corrective actions and workplace policies to ensure a productive workplace that complies with applicable laws and regulations.
Negotiated and drafted employment agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, and severance/settlement agreements on behalf of leading companies in the financial services, technology, life sciences, and media, sports and entertainment sectors.
Representative Business Transaction Matters
Represented a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, in the employment-related aspects of its US$948 million business combination with OneSpaWorld, a global provider of health and wellness products and services on board cruise ships and in destination resorts around the world.
Represented a global financial services company in its multi-million acquisition of another financial services company, handling all employment aspects of the transaction.
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Judicial Clerkship
Hon. Barry T. Albin, Supreme Court of New Jersey
Pro Bono
Evan and his colleagues received the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware Judge Caleb R. Layton, III Service Award for successful pro bono representation of the Court in trial and appellate proceedings related to Court’s COVID-19 vaccine policy.
The Lawyers Alliance of New York recognized Evan for his successful representation of BK ROT, a non-profit environmental organization that promotes community-based, green jobs for youth.
Provided pro bono employment law representation to Lincoln Center as part of Lincoln Center Counsels’ Council Summer Associate program.
Provided pro bono employment law counsel to various theater companies in the New York City area, including, Theater Breaking Through Barriers, an Off-Broadway theatre organization dedicated to advancing artists with disabilities, and Sundog Theatre, a not-for-profit theater company that provides educational theatre programming to schools in the New York City area.
Provided pro bono election law counsel to various organizations, including Election Protection and VoteRiders.
Accolades
Chambers USA, Band 5, New York Labor & Employment (2023-2025); Up and Coming, New York Labor & Employment (2021-2022)
Benchmark Litigation, Litigation Star - Labor and Employment (2024)
The Legal 500 US, Next Generation Partner, Workplace and Employment Counseling (2021-2023); Recommended, Labor-Management Relations (2022); Recommended, Labor and Employment Disputes (including Collective Actions): Defense (2019, 2021).
Law360, Employment Law “Rising Star” (2018)
New York Metro Super Lawyers, Employment Litigation and Employment & Labor (2024); Rising Star (2013-2020)
Memberships and Affiliations
Member, American Employment Law Council
Diversity Lab Hackathon, 2024 team winner – Crowd Favorite – Work Allocation Program
Commissioner, ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession (2020-2023). Evan was appointed to this position by ABA President Patricia Refo and served as chair of the Policy subcommittee and was responsible for drafting and revising ABA resolutions aimed at improving diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
Fellow, Anti-Defamation League Glass Leadership Institute
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