Jennifer B. Goldstein

A key focus of Ms. Goldstein’s work has been to represent individuals pursuing claims against institutional defendants. Such claims have included actions against defendants such as boarding schools or the Boy Scouts of America for childhood sexual abuse or exploitation; municipalities and school systems for failure to protect students from bullying or physical injury, or failure to provide mandated special education services; municipalities and towns for sexual harassment against public employees; and national nursing home corporations for injuries to elderly residents. Ms. Goldstein recently settled a significant claim against the Town of Greenwich and its Board of Education for their systemic failure to comply with their mandatory anti-bullying policy, which resulted in a student committing suicide. The case was important not only because it vindicated the student’s right to be protected from bullying but also because Connecticut courts repeatedly rejected the town’s claim that it had immunity and could not be held liable for failing to protect students who are bullied in school. Ms. Goldstein has also represented police officers in actions involving the exercise of a union member’s constitutional rights to free speech and free association as well as a police officer’s right to be compensated for on-the-job injuries. In an appeal successfully briefed and argued by Ms. Goldstein, the Connecticut Supreme Court held that police officers and firefighters may bring negligence lawsuits against third party tortfeasors to recover for injuries sustained in the performance of duty; this decision granted to Connecticut police officers and firefighters a right that was previously extended to other public employees, but often withheld from public safety officers.

Ms. Goldstein previously practiced law at prominent firms in Connecticut and New York, including Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, where her practice focused primarily on complex commercial litigation, including business torts, contract disputes and insider trading. Ms. Goldstein has achieved significant results for her clients and has helped to bring about important institutional change.