Marla N. Presley is the Office Managing Principal and the Litigation Manager for the Pittsburgh office Jackson Lewis P.C. Her practice focuses exclusively on the representation of employers in wage and hour disputes, class and collective actions, and claims of discrimination under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and various state tort theories. She also appears regularly before administrative judges and agencies.
Ms. Presley has successfully tried cases before juries and judges in state and federal courts and has prevailed in appeals before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the West Virginia Supreme Court, and numerous appellate courts in Pennsylvania.
Ms. Presley also provides ongoing legal support and counsel on a daily basis for a multitude of clients, including those in the retail, restaurant and service industries. This includes reviewing and revising employee policies, reviewing and counseling management on termination decisions, and performing complex human resource and wage audits. In addition, she is experienced in drafting various employment agreements including non-competes. Ms. Presley routinely provides training to managers and supervisors in all areas of employment law, including supervisory training, sexual harassment prevention, investigation and disciplinary procedures, and leave management.
A significant portion of Ms. Presley’s practice is dedicated to the representation of institutions of higher education. In this role, she regularly provides advice and counsel on Title IX and Clery Act issues, student and faculty claims, constitutional and state statutory issues, and wage and hour matters. Ms. Presley frequently conducts third-party investigations and advises universities on Title IX compliance. She has developed Title IX/Sexual Violence policies and standard operating procedures and provides training to Responsible Persons, Investigators, and Hearing Panels.
During law school, Ms. Presley was the recipient of the Lynette Norton Award for excellence in trial advocacy.
Pro Bono and Community Involvement
•Children’s Hospital of UPMC - Children’s Trust member
•Wills for Heroes volunteer
•Founder of Project MVP honoring military
Honors and Recognitions
•Allegheny County Bar Association, Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year Award (2012)
•Allegheny County Bar Foundation, Young Lawyer fellow
•The Legal Intelligencer, Lawyer on the Fast Track (2015)
•Pennsylvania Bar Association, Young Fellow
Marla N. Presley In the News
Jackson Lewis' Recently Elevated and Promoted Attorneys Spotlighted
April 28, 2020 • Law360
Jackson Lewis Expands Litigation and Labor Management Practices, Adds Terri Imbarlina Patak and Brian P. Lundgren
March 9, 2020 • Jackson Lewis
Jackson Lewis Announces Management Changes in Cleveland, Madison, Memphis and Pittsburgh Offices
February 25, 2020 • Jackson Lewis
Marla N. Presley Publications
article
Pennsylvania Health Secretary’s Order Lays Out Extensive Requirements for Essential Employers
April 16, 2020
article
Pennsylvania Legislature Amends Unemployment Regulations to Require Employer Notices
April 15, 2020
special-report
How State Workshare Programs Can Help Employers Reduce Costs, Avoid Layoffs, Furloughs
April 15, 2020
Webinars
webinar
Legal Challenges Facing Higher Education Right Now: What You Need to Know to Assess and Avoid Liability in Light of COVID-19
1 - 2:00 PM EST
Archived
Marla N. Presley Blog Posts
Employment Class and Collective Actions
Criticizing Lower Court, Third Circuit Reverses Class Certification in Suit Alleging Pay Violations
January 4, 2019
Employment Class and Collective Actions
Rule 23 Amendments Awaiting Congressional Review
July 16, 2018
Wage and Hour
Pennsylvania Governor Seeks to Expand Overtime Pay to Currently Exempt Employees
January 22, 2018
