Thomas J. Reilly

Counsel

Overview

Tom Reilly, Counsel and a member of Porzio's Litigation Practice Group, concentrates his practice in the areas of employment and labor counseling and litigation, appellate practice, and education law. 

Throughout his years of practice, Tom has provided employment counseling to public and private sector clients alike. In the private sector, Tom has argued in New Jersey’s courts on behalf of Fortune 500 companies, handled complex civil litigation arising under New Jersey’s antitrust laws, argued and won cases before the New Jersey Appellate Division, and counseled clients on a variety of complex statutory issues. In the public sector, Tom has represented clients in a number of high stakes matters, including binding arbitration before the Public Employment Relations Commission, matters before the Office of Administrative Law, and cases heard by the Commissioner of Education. He also has brought his appellate experience to bear, briefing dozens of cases for public sector clients before both the Appellate Division and the New Jersey Supreme Court, including cases concerning complex labor and tax disputes, interpretation of New Jersey’s public sector employment statutes, and important matters of public policy. 

Tom’s experience both in the courtroom and in the day-to-day affairs of clients has provided him with extensive practical knowledge and experience concerning a number of statutory schemes that affect both private and public employers alike, including the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law, and many others. Tom also possesses extensive knowledge of New Jersey education laws and statutes, earned through years of both counseling and extensive briefing on some of New Jersey’s most complex legal matters.

Prior to joining Porzio, Tom served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Jaynee LaVecchia, Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, where Tom gained critical insight into appellate practice and procedure, as well as a prime overview of New Jersey’s most important and complex legal issues. 

Memberships

  • New Jersey State Bar Association - Member
  • Friends of South Amboy - Member

Articles

Speaking Engagements

  • "Employment of Adults Under Guardianships: Legal Issues and Practical Tips," 42nd Annual Autism Conference, 10/25/2024
  • "WPBN Legal Update," 16th Annual Porzio Employment Law Forum, 10/01/2024
  • "Discipline & Termination While on Leave: End of (Vacation) Days," Presenter, Porzio Employment Law Forum, Morristown, NJ, 10/04/2023
  • "Recruitment and Retention: Lawful Methods and Potential Pitfalls Employers Should Know," Porzio Employment Law Forum, 11/02/2022
  • "Examining the Importance of Leave Laws in the Final Months of FFCRA and Beyond," Porzio Employment Law Forum, 10/20/2020
  • "The Old School and the New - Considerations for School Re-Opening," Porzio Webinar, 7/07/2020
  • "Ethical Issues Attorneys Face in Representing Cannabis Businesses," NBI's Marijuana Business Law in NJ, Princeton, NJ, 12/05/2019
  • "Ethical Issues Attorneys Face in Representing Cannabis Businesses," NBI's Marijuana Business Law in NJ, Newark, NJ, 12/04/2019
  • "Roundtable Discussion: The Opioid Crisis and Its Impact on the Workplace," Porzio Employment Law Forum, 10/03/2019

Relevant Experience

Relevant Industry and Governmental Experience

  • Seton Hall University School of Law - Professor, Appellate Advocacy (Fall 2024)
  • The Honorable Jaynee LaVecchia, Supreme Court of New Jersey, Morristown, NJ, Law Clerk.
  • The Honorable Joseph Paone, Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Family Part, New Brunswick, NJ, Intern

Opinions, Decisions and Cases

  • American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey v. County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey, 257 N.J. 87 (2024)
  • State v. Olenowski, 255 N.J. 529 (2023)
  • Conforti v. County of Ocean, 255 N.J. 142 (2023)
  • Mack-Cali Realty Corp. v. State, et al., 250 N.J. 550 (2022)
  • In re Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive Nos. 2020-5 and 2020-6, 246 N.J. 462 (2021)
  • In re Ridgefield Park Bd. of Educ., 244 N.J. 1, (2020)
  • Kratovil v. City of New Brunswick, No. A-216-23 (App. Div. Apr. 26, 2024)
  • Lipsky v. N.J. Ass’n of Health Plans, Inc., 474 N.J. Super. 447 (App. Div. 2023)
  • State v. Ruthnaswamy, No. A-000219-19 (App. Div. Dec. 2, 2019)
  • Board of Education of Ridgefield Park v. Board of Education of Little Ferry, Agency Dkt. No. 165-8/20 (Commissioner of Education, April 22, 2021)