John G. Stretton

Office Managing Shareholder | Stamford

John Stretton is the managing shareholder of the Stamford office of Ogletree Deakins with more than 23 years of experience. Clients view John as a resourceful counselor and aggressive litigator who never loses sight of a client’s business objectives and the need to establish value. In addition to providing proactive counseling and advice to employers on labor and employment issues, John is frequently sought out to represent clients in discrimination, wrongful termination, wage and overtime, leaves of absences, and complex litigation matters in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. In addition, John regularly counsels clients on the enforceability of restrictive covenants (nonsolicitation, noncompetition, and confidentiality agreements), as is looked at as a “go-to” litigator when it comes to enforcing, or defending against the enforcement of, restrictive covenants. John also has extensive experience drafting and negotiating executive employment agreements. Based on feedback from both in-house and outside counsel, Chambers USA identified John as a “Leading Lawyer” in 2017 through 2023 and proclaimed that John wins praise for his “fantastic quality of work and turnaround time” and his ability to “apply a business acumen to the legal knowledge he has.” John has also been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America since 2022. John is also regularly named a New England Super Lawyer and a Connecticut Super Lawyer, and recognized in the area of Employment & Labor. From 2010 through 2012, John was named a Connecticut Rising Star and was recognized in the area of Employment & Labor. Additionally, John was selected by the American Institute of Legal Counsel for its 10 Best – Labor and Employment List in 2016.

While not practicing law, John pursues a number of charitable endeavors, including actively supporting and participating in events by My Team Triumph, the Connecticut Challenge, and the Pan-Mass Challenge.

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Experience

Lead counsel in numerous federal and state court cases involving discrimination and wrongful termination claims
Lead counsel in numerous federal and state court cases involving the enforcement of restrictive covenants and the protection of trade secrets
After successfully obtaining a denial of a request for a temporary restraining order, negotiated a dismissal with prejudice of a restrictive covenant case involving claims of misappropriation and noncompete and nonsolicit clause violations between two direct competitors
Successfully argued before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to affirm summary judgment in favor of employer in a case involving claims of age and sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation
Successfully sought and obtained the dismissal of all claims advanced by a former employee, including wrongful discharge, defamation, false imprisonment, interference with custodial rights, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligent supervision and retention, tortious interference with business expectancies and violation of the Connecticut Due Process Clause in an action pending in the Connecticut Superior Court
Successfully argued before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to affirm summary judgment in favor of client sued by a former employee hired in connection with a business acquisition and claiming unjust enrichment and violations of Connecticut’s wage statute
Obtained, as a sanction for the plaintiff’s failure to appear at his deposition, dismissal of a Title VII discrimination claim pending before the United States District Court, District of Connecticut
Obtained the dismissal of an action seeking a declaratory judgment and alleging federal antitrust violations and unfair business practices commenced in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California
Obtained a defense verdict after trial in a case pending in the Connecticut superior court wherein claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and unjust enrichment were advanced in connection with the sale of the Joe Boxer brand
Successfully defended a pharmaceutical excipient manufacturer at trial in a patent infringement suit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware
Obtained the dismissal of a multi-million dollar claim alleging fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, legal malpractice, fraudulent concealment and negligence commenced in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
Successfully defended numerous discrimination claims before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities

Education & Admission

Professional Activities

Speeches

New York City Bar – “Employment Issues in Connection with Workplace and Government Investigations (Webcast)” – November 20, 2024
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Who’s in Charge Here? Gaining Control of Workplace Accommodations” – Amelia Island – November 14, 2024
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Tricky Leave and Accommodation Requests: Key Scenarios to Show the Way” – Washington, D.C. – May 2, 2024
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “Multistate Monday: Workplace Romance, Love Contracts, and Sexual Harassment Prevention” – March 4, 2024
Connecticut’s NALP Chapter, CALRA (CT Association of Legal Recruiting Administrators) – “Affirmative Action and DEI After the Supreme Court’s Ruling in SFFA: Some Things to Think About But Don’t Overthink It” – February 13, 2024
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “FMLA Case Studies: Lessons From Recent Leave Litigation” – February 13, 2024
ACC Westchester/Southern CT – “Privacy in the Workplace” – February 7, 2024
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “Workplace Strategies Watercooler 2023: All Things ADA, LOA, FMLA, and Reasonable Accommodations” – June 1, 2023
Workplace Strategies Seminar – “All Things ADA, LOA, and FMLA: A Reasonable Accommodations Workshop” – San Diego – May 10, 2023
Connecticut Bar Association’s Advanced Labor and Employment Law Symposium – “The Annual Employment Law Update” – March 30, 2023
ACC Westchester/Southern CT (formerly WESFACCA) – “HOW GOOD ARE YOUR DOCUMENTS? Practical Tips for Improving Employment and Severance Agreements” – February 1, 2023
2023 Tri-State SHRM Conference – “The Tri-State Trifecta: The Latest Employment Law Update for CT, MA and RI” – 2023
HRACC SHRM – “Legal Implications for HR Professionals” – Milford – November 10, 2022
NWCTHRA SHRM – “Connecticut Employment Law Update” – Torrington – October 14, 2022
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “The Kaleidoscope of State and Local Leave Laws” – Colorado Springs – September 22, 2022
2022 Alternate Finance Bar Association Conference – “Employment Law Update” – New York – June 15, 2022
Connecticut Bar Association’s 2022 Connecticut Legal Conference – “Annual Employment Law Update” – June 13, 2022
Workplace Strategies Seminar – “When Cupid’s Arrow Targets the Workplace” – Phoenix – May 5, 2022
SHRM Western Connecticut – “Managing Leaves of Absences in Connecticut” – October 20, 2021
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Connecticut Employment Law: 2021 Legislative Update” – July 20, 2021
CT Bar Association Advanced Employment Law Symposium – “Annual Employment Law Update” – June 17, 2021
HRACC – “COVID-19 Workplace Vaccination Policies: What Employers Should Decide and Do Now” – April 1, 2021
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Reopening New England” – March 23, 2021
SHRM Western CT – “Top Five Employment Policies to Revisit in a Pandemic” – March 9, 2021
NYCLA Webinar – “Alleged Misappropriation of Trade Secrets and Confidential Information” – November 12, 2020
Connecticut SHRM HR 2020 Leadership Conference (panelist) – “Managing Politics in the Workplace in a Volatile Year” – October 16, 2020
Connecticut SHRM – “Is Your Drug-Free Workplace Discriminatory? The Confluence of Disability Discrimination & Mind Altering Substances” – August 11, 2020
Connecticut SHRM – “Practical Strategies for Managing a Remote Workforce” – July 22, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Reopening Connecticut: An Update for Connecticut Employers” – June 9, 2020
Connecticut SHRM – “Return to Work: A Guide for Getting the Workforce Back Into the Workplace” – May 13, 2020
Connecticut SHRM – “Improving Performance Management for HR Professionals” – March 10-11, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Briefing – “Is Your Drug-Free Workplace Discriminatory? The Confluence of Disability Discrimination and Mind-Altering Substances” – West Hartford – September 12, 2019
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “Untangling Complex Leave Issues – Part II” – April 9, 2019
Managing a Workforce in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut – “When Employees Return from Leave, the Journey for HR Continues” – New York – April 4, 2019
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “Untangling Complex Leave Issues – Part I” – November 19, 2018
Ogletree Deakins Seminar – “Recent Developments in the Tristate Area” – New York City – March 9, 2018
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Responding to Multi-Agency Investigations – A Strategy for Success” – San Diego – May 5, 2017
Annual Advanced Employment Law Symposium – “The ADA, FMLA, and Workers’ Compensation: Leave Issues in Employment” – Orange – March 16, 2017
Ogletree Deakins Seminar – “Recent Developments in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut Employment Laws” – New York – March 10, 2017
Westchester/Southern Connecticut Chapter of ACC (WESFACCA) – “Wage and Hour Issues for 2016” – Darien – November 19, 2015
NAM/New York Law Journal CLE – “Employment ADR: Recent Trends and Practical Tips When Dealing with Restrictive Covenants and Trade Secrets” – New York City – September 24, 2015
Connecticut Law Tribune/ALM CLE – “In-House Counsel CLE Seminar – Unfair Competition and Trade Secret Law” – Stamford – September 10, 2015
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “What Can Go Wrong Often Will When Enforcing Restrictive Covenants” – Las Vegas – May 8, 2014
Ultimate Software Interactive HR Workshop – “Navigating the Intersection Between the ADA, FMLA and Connecticut Leave Laws” – Hartford – February 14, 2013
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “New Connecticut Law Regarding Palliative Marijuana Use: What Employers Need to Know” – Stamford – September 18, 2012
Private Client Webinar – “Classification Issues for Independent Contractors” – Stamford – Spring 2012
Business Networking International Westport, Connecticut Chapter – “Avoiding Legal Problems in Hiring, Managing and Terminating Employments” – Westport – June 26, 2008
ADP’s 2007 Business Solutions Expo – “Big Brother in the Workplace. Balancing Business Necessities with Employee Privacy” – Windsor – September 27, 2007
ADP’s Winning the War on Talent Workforce Management – “Avoiding Legal Problems When Hiring, Managing and Terminating Employees” – Holyoke – June 7, 2007

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John G. Stretton

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Insights by John G. Stretton

Connecticut Court Ruling Clarifies ‘Recent Graduate’ Language in Job Ads: What Employers Need to Know

Connecticut Supreme Court Adopts Federal Definition of ‘Supervisor’ for State Law Hostile Work Environment Claims

Connecticut Appellate Court Finds No Associational Claims Under State’s Discrimination Law

Connecticut Appellate Court Rules Employer Could Discharge Medical Marijuana User Impaired on the Job

Connecticut Appellate Court Says Constructive Discharge Limitations Period Runs From Last Act of Discrimination, Not Resignation

Four Key (and Surprising) Points for Navigating FMLA Leave

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