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Areas of Practice
White Collar Criminal Defense
Internal Investigations
Litigation
Labor Law

 

Admissions
  • United States District Courts:
  • Eastern District of N.Y.
  • Southern District of N.Y.
  • Northern District of N.Y.
  • Western District of N.Y.
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Position
Associate
Education
J.D. Emory University School of Law, 1998
B.A. Lehigh University, 1995, magna cum laude
News
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James W. Versocki

James joined Archer, Byington, Glennon & Levine, LLP in November of 2008.

From 1998 through 2006, James was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York in the Attorney General's Labor Bureau. While at the Attorney General's office his practice focused on the enforcement of a wide range of labor and employment laws, including handling numerous complex civil and criminal white-collar prosecutions involving the construction industry. James' prosecutions focused on prevailing wage and wage-and-hour enforcement throughout New York State and resulted in numerous criminal convictions, civil settlements, and the recovery of tens of millions of dollars for the residents of New York State.1 James' experience prosecuting these cases affords him a unique insight into the construction industry and applicability of New York State and Federal labor laws in that industry. This experience also allowed James to assist in the drafting of proposed legislation and provide guidance to Department of Labor investigators in prevailing wage and wage-and-hour enforcement matters.

During his years with the Attorney General's office, he was also responsible for handling ground-breaking labor-related litigation matters throughout New York State and Federal courts on behalf of workers. For example, in People v. 14 West Garment Manufacturing Corp et. al., 182 Misc.2d 146 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 1999), James successfully handled the first challenge to the New York State Department of Labor's use of the "Hot Goods Law" -- a law designed to protect workers in the garment manufacturing industry.2 James also led investigations into the misclassification of workers by employers to avoid payment of overtime, taxes, and insurance premiums in the construction, restaurant, and other industries.3 In People v. Royal Flush Bathroom Attendant Services, Ltd. et al. (N.Y. Cty. Supreme Court, Index No. 403273/2004), James recovered a judgment in excess of three million dollars for workers misclassified as independent contractors in the restaurant industry.4

As an Assistant Attorney General, James worked closely with a wide variety of unions, law enforcement agencies, and community groups. For his exemplary performance, James was awarded the Attorney General's highest award for prosecutors.

Immediately prior to joining Archer, Byington, Glennon & Levine LLP, James was in private practice handling complex internal investigations, white-collar criminal defense matters, and litigation matters for clients before New York State and Federal courts. James also guided clients through regulatory investigations by the New York State and United States Departments of Labor, the United States Department of Justice, and numerous New York State District Attorney offices. James also handled matters for clients before administrative boards, including the New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings and matters involving New York City's Procurement Policy Board rules and regulations.

In 2009, James was appointed to the New York State Restaurant and Hotel Industry Wage Board by then Commissioner of Labor M. Patricia Smith.  The Board's work resulted in the restructuring of the two separate industry wage orders into one wage order with a focus on clear, concise guidance to employees and employers.

Since joining the firm, James has actively guided unions, Taft-Hartley Funds, and Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees through government investigations and advised them on recent developments in New York State and federal labor laws.

James is an officer of the Labor & Employment Committee of the New York County Lawyer's Association, a member of the New York National Employment Lawyer's Association, and a member of the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

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