Michelle Caiola

Michelle Caiola is an employment lawyer and partner at Phillips & Associates, PLLC, where she represents employees in discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and pregnancy discrimination cases. She handles complex matters from initial investigation through settlement or trial and negotiates millions of dollars in client settlements each year. Her clients include executives and professionals working in finance, technology, media, pharmaceuticals, medicine, law, and modeling. She also represents individuals in high-profile sexual assault cases and is prepared to challenge powerful companies, institutions, and public figures.

Michelle completed her undergraduate degree at Kent State University. She attended Washington University School of Law in St. Louis and earned her J.D. with distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law. She is admitted to practice in New York and Missouri, along with several federal district and appellate courts and the US Supreme Court. Her memberships include the National Employment Lawyers Association, New York State Bar Association, New York City Bar Association, and New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.

Michelle began litigating employment discrimination claims as an attorney with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She handled class actions involving sexual harassment and discrimination based on race, national origin, age, disability, and sex. Her notable EEOC work included helping secure major settlements in cases involving Morgan Stanley and Mitsubishi. She later led legal departments at Legal Momentum and Equal Rights Advocates, where she advocated for women facing pregnancy and sex discrimination. She also served as managing director of Disability Rights Advocates in New York City and achieved important rulings and settlements supporting people with disabilities.

Michelle Caiola has earned recognition for both her courtroom results and leadership in employment law. She received the EEOC Chair’s Organizational Award three times and was named a Law360 MVP in 2020 for her work on accessibility cases involving New York City’s subway system. She serves on the Board of Advisors for the NYU Center for Labor and Employment Law and has contributed to employment discrimination briefs filed with the US Supreme Court. Her experience, advocacy, and ability to manage complex cases support her commitment to securing meaningful results for employees.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Phillips & Associates, PLLC
• Member, National Employment Lawyers Association
• Member, New York State Bar Association
• Member, City Bar of New York
• Member, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers

Licensed State

• New York
• Missouri

Education

• University of Iowa College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Kent State University
  Undergraduate