kheslin@nfclegal.com

P: 973.665.9100

D: 973.507.7620

F: 973.665.9101

Kerrie R. Heslin, ESQ.

Partner

Kerrie R. Heslin has devoted her entire legal career to representing management in labor and employment matters. As Managing Partner, she combines strategic legal counsel with a practical understanding of the business challenges employers face, helping organizations navigate complex workplace issues while minimizing risk and supporting their long-term objectives.

Kerrie concentrates her practice on the litigation of employment disputes, including claims involving discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower allegations, wage and hour matters, employee benefits, and other workplace-related issues. She regularly represents employers in single-plaintiff actions as well as class and collective actions, handling matters in state and federal courts and before arbitration forums including FINRA, AAA, and JAMS. She also represents employers before a wide range of administrative agencies, including state and federal EEO agencies, the U.S. Department of Labor, Department of Justice, OSHA, and the National Labor Relations Board.

In addition to her litigation practice, Kerrie serves as a trusted advisor to employers on day-to-day employment matters. She counsels clients on hiring and termination decisions, employment and separation agreements, restrictive covenants, workplace policies, and employee handbooks. She regularly assists employers with privileged pay equity audits and provides employment-related due diligence in mergers and acquisitions, including the review of employment agreements, wage and hour compliance, labor obligations, and pension fund withdrawal liability issues.

Known for her responsive, business-minded approach, Kerrie is a nationally recognized employment attorney who partners closely with clients to develop practical solutions that align with both legal requirements and organizational goals.

Outside the office, Kerrie enjoys spending time with her children and embracing an active, outdoor lifestyle. An avid skier and golfer, she appreciates the focus, discipline, and camaraderie that both pursuits offer. She is also passionate about travel and enjoys exploring new destinations, whether discovering different cultures, experiencing unique landscapes, or planning family adventures.

AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Listed in Chambers USA Guide, Labor & Employment 2012 - Present
Selected as a WPO Women 2 Watch 2019, 2022, 2025
Recognized in Best Lawyers® in America 2018 - Present
Selected to the New Jersey Super Lawyers List (2009 - Present) 2009 - Present
“Top 50 Women Lawyers in New Jersey”, Super Lawyers 2012 - Present
“Top 100 Lawyers in New Jersey”, Super Lawyers 2013 - 2020

AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM and Martindale-Hubbell NotableSM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards and policies. A description of the selection methodology can be found at http://www.martindale.com/Products_and_Services/Peer_Review/Methodology.aspx. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey

No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the selection methodology for The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® is available at www.bestlawyers.com.

No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selection methodologies are available at www.superlawyers.com.

Professional Experience
Carella, Byrne, Bain, Gilfillan, Cecchi, Stewart & Olstein, Roseland, NJ 2002-2007
Gibbons, Del Deo, Dolan, Griffinger & Vecchione, Newark, NJ - Associate 1997-2002
Professional Activities
National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF)
Board Member, Executive Committee 2019-Present
Women Presidents' Organization (WPO)
Board Member, Executive Committee 2019-Present
Chapter Member 2008-Present
Women Owned Law Firms (WOL)
Board Member 2024-Present
New Jersey State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section Litigation
Judicial Clerkships
Honorable Nicholas H. Politan, United States District Court, District of New Jersey 1995-1997

 

Seton Hall Law School (J.D.) 1995
Syracuse University (B.S., Finance/Marketing) 1991

State of New Jersey
United States District Court – District of New Jersey
State of New York
United States Court of Appeals - Third Circuit
United State Supreme Court

Publications
Co-Author, “Anticipating and preparing for COVID-19-related employment litigation:, Thomas Reuters, Westlaw Practitioner Insights webpage July 2020
“Building Better Contracts” chapter in Breaking Through: Creating Opportunities for America’s Women and Minority-Owned Businesses, Susan Philips Bari. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 2013
“Companies May Not Shield Internal Employment Law Assessments from Disclosure with “Self-Critical Analysis Privilege”, New Jersey Labor and Employment Law Quarterly June 2011
“How Can an Employer Enforce Safety Regulations on Employees Who Wear Religious Attire that Could Pose Hazards?”, New Jersey Monthly April 2009
“Federal Court Rejects FTC Opinion that Employment Investigations by Outside Counsel are Subject to FCRA”, The Job Description, Defense Research Institute Fall 2001
“Restrictive Covenants: Protecting Confidential and Proprietary Information”, BioPharm Magazine February 2000
“Courts Start to Rule on Online Harassment”, The National Law Journal (January 24, 2000) and New Jersey Law Journal June 2000
“Sexual Harassment in Cyberspace: Cases Consider Employer Liability for Employee Use of E-mail, Chat Rooms, Porn Sites”, Employment Law Weekly January 2000
Speaking Engagements
Legal Expert Tables: Confidentiality Agreements, Non-competes and Non-solicitations, EANJ, Seminar July 2026
Women-Centered Entrepreneurship, United Natation’s International Forum on Micro, Small and Medium-size Enterprises (MSMEs) Day 2026 June 2026
Understanding Implicit Bias in Workplace Investigations, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra P.C., Webinar April 2026
Workplace Culture Assessments: Legal and Strategic Imperatives in A Changing Landscape, NAMWOLF 2026 Spring Meeting March 2026
Charting the Course for 2026: Critical Labor & Employment Law Trends & Takeaways from 2025, EANJ, Seminar February 2026
Lawyers to Leaders: Building Emotional Intelligence with Effective Communication, Citi Legal/ Simon & Schuster CLE Sessions, New York (May 2025) May 2025
Can’t We All Just Get Along: When Religion, Culture and DEI Collide in the Workplace, NAMWOLF, Driving Diversity & Leadership Conference March 2025
Most Common Employment Mistakes, Sandler Training Seminar February 2025
How to Structure DEI Programs After Recent Supreme Court Decisions, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, In-House Counsel Roundtable May 2024
Navigating the Legal Issues Related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs, Women Owned Law Symposium April 2024
Working Collaboratively to Measure, Report and Improve Law Firm Diversity, Panelist, NAMWOLF Annual Meeting, Baltimore September 2023
Gender Pay Equity: What It Is and Why It Matters, CLE Presentation, MetLife March 2023
Navigating the Legal Issues Related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs, CLE Presentation, NAMWOLF, Driving Diversity & Leadership Conference March 2023
Understanding and Reducing Implicit Bias in Workplace Investigations, CLE Presentation, Merck May 2022
Navigating Religious Accommodations & Vaccines To Reduce Risk of Litigation, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, P.C. Webinar May 2022
Shades of Grey: Ethical Rules Related to the Role of In-house Counsel, CLE Presentation, IEX Trading April 2022
Defending Lawsuits by Pro Se Plaintiffs, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra Webinar October 2021
Top 10 Employment Policies Every New Jersey Business Should Have, Executives Association of New Jersey (EANJ) September 2021
Clearing The Haze Around Workplace Marijuana Rules, Celesq Attorneys Ed Center September 2021
Applying the Brakes on Serial Plaintiffs, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, PC, Webinar March 2021

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice
NJ LEEP
Community Food Bank of New Jersey
Volunteers, All Wrapped Up

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