Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

Partner

Whether addressing a single employee’s complaint, defending against a sprawling class action, overseeing a sensitive investigation, or providing prompt, practical compliance advice, Barbara Hoey is an indispensable advisor, ally, and advocate for employers facing the toughest employment challenges.

Barbara is frequently called upon to protect her clients’ interests in high-profile, high-stakes employment litigation where financial, reputational, and precedential concerns hang in the balance. She is known as a pragmatic yet tough employment litigator and savvy negotiator who can obtain optimal outcomes in the courtroom, at the negotiating table, or before a matter proceeds to litigation.

Barbara also understands that the best resolution to employment disputes is to prevent them from arising in the first place. She collaborates closely with her clients to develop compliance strategies designed to minimize the likelihood of litigation while best positioning them for a successful result should a claim ensue.

Demonstrably committed to protecting her clients’ interests, Barbara is valued not only for her in-depth understanding of employment law, but also for her knowledge of her client’s business, responsiveness, accessibility, and immediate, straightforward answers to their questions.

During her more than 30 years as a litigator, Barbara has litigated and won more than a dozen jury and bench trials involving claims arising under Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as the False Claims Act, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), New York State Whistleblower Law, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). She also litigates cases involving breach of non-compete contracts and theft of trade secrets. Barbara also regularly is called upon to investigate complaints of harassment, discrimination, and alleged wrongdoing by upper-level executives.

Barbara’s industry experience is broad and deep, ranging from health care and telecommunications to finance, education, the non-profit sector, and beyond. In all cases, Barbara picks her battles strategically, avoiding inconsequential distractions and costly but immaterial disputes to focus on the issues and arguments that are outcome-determinative. She is aggressive when warranted, but open to compromise when advantageous to her clients’ immediate and long-term interests, as she knows that the best result is the outcome that works for her client.

Barbara’s professional success has earned her consistent recognition in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, with clients calling her ​“a wonderful litigator and advocate,” as among the ​“best of the best,” and describing her as ​“extremely good at negotiating,” ​“tenacious,” and having a ​“laser-like focus.”

In her compliance counseling practice, Barbara works with her clients to develop comprehensive and workable strategies to address today’s endless and evolving workplace issues, such as managing difficult termination decisions, policy design, handling lay-offs, and oversight of internal investigations.

Barbara is a frequent guest speaker on topics that range from harassment and workplace violence to litigation avoidance, preparedness, and trial strategy. A prolific writer and editor, Barbara serves as co-editor of Labor Days, Kelley Drye’s labor and employment law blog.