Diane Mokriski practices in the areas of employment law, employment litigation, and fair housing litigation. She represents employers of all sizes, ranging from small, family-owned Connecticut businesses, to national banks and nonprofit organizations. Her clients include restaurant owners, hotel franchisees, owners of dental, medical, and veterinary practices, and large retail establishments. She defends her clients against a wide range of employment-related claims, including allegations of discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, and unpaid wages. She counsels her clients in the areas of non-compete agreements and contract negotiations, and provides managerial training in areas such as harassment prevention and the drafting of employee handbooks.
As a member of the Insurance Litigation team, Attorney Mokriski is frequently retained by insurers to defend businesses accused of employment discrimination. She is an experienced practitioner in every forum in which Employment Practices Liability (EPL) matters can be mediated and litigated, including the EEOC, Connecticut’s Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), and state and federal courts. Attorney Mokriski’s experience includes the defense of EPL claims based on race, religion, and gender discrimination under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA); the Whistleblower Act; and other related state and federal laws. Additionally, Attorney Mokriski is adept at defending cases alleging violations of wage and hour laws. These cases include a variety of claims against employers including unpaid overtime, failure to pay appropriate wages including minimum wage, and employee misclassification. As these claims become more frequent, and involve a sizable number of class members, more employers are being counseled to obtain specialized coverage for these potential losses.
In the area of fair housing litigation, Attorney Mokriski represents property owners, local housing authorities, and management companies against claims of housing discrimination. She has successfully defended these clients before the CHRO, HUD, and state and federal courts.
Attorney Mokriski earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University, where she graduated magna cum laude and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her law degree from the University of Connecticut, where she served as Executive Editor of the Connecticut Law Review. She is admitted to practice in Connecticut state and federal courts, and is a member of the Connecticut and American Bar Associations.
