Carmel Joy Decker

Carmel Joy Decker is an employment lawyer and partner at Connell Foley LLP, representing employers in sophisticated workplace disputes and compliance matters. She handles wrongful termination, hostile work environment, discrimination, retaliation, and contract claims in state and federal courts. Her practice includes matters arising under ERISA, CEPA, the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. She also appears before the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, protecting clients through litigation and administrative proceedings statewide.

Carmel earned a B.S. in Business Administration, cum laude, from Montclair State University in 1978. She received her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1981. Her civil rights work includes representing companies, public entities, and public employees in matters involving constitutional violations, negligence, and police conduct. She also manages construction disputes concerning defects, design deficiencies, building code violations, professional liability, and site accidents. Her work addresses contractual relationships among stakeholders during multiparty claims and insurance coverage matters.

Carmel covers contracts, business transactions, leasing, aviation, insurance, dispute resolution, and litigation in her corporate practice. She frequently serves as fractional general counsel to companies across industries, including businesses with foreign parent organizations. Her advice addresses daily operations, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management. By reviewing workplace practices, agreements, and internal procedures, she helps clients identify potential exposure before disputes escalate. She also drafts employee handbooks and counsels employers on hiring practices, workplace policies, and evolving state and federal requirements effectively.

Carmel Joy Decker is admitted in New Jersey, New York, and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. She belongs to the Federal Bar Association, Bergen County Bar Association, and Professional Liability Underwriting Society. She joined Connell Foley LLP as a partner in March 2026, bringing employment litigation and compliance experience. She frequently lectures on employment law best practices and litigation strategies. Her practical business insight helps employers strengthen governance, maintain compliance, and manage complex legal risks.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Connell Foley LLP
• Member, Federal Bar Association
• Member, Bergen County Bar Association
• Member, Professional Liability Underwriting Society

Licensed State

• New Jersey
• New York

Education

• Seton Hall University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Montclair State University
  Bachelor of Science (BS)