Of Counsel
Iva brings a trial attorney’s perspective to workplace problems on behalf of employee and management clients. She has represented individuals from executives to entry-level employees in state and federal court on a wide range of employment matters, including discrimination, sexual harassment, defamation, and whistleblower cases, as well as claims for unpaid overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act and retaliation and interference claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act. She also counsels management on best practices, helping them prevent workplace disputes and maintain compliance with state and federal laws.
Iva is a seasoned trial attorney, having tried cases to juries in both state and federal court, as well as in arbitration. Iva has tried nearly thirty jury trials and believes that each case must be prepared as if it will be tried. Understanding however, that many clients prefer to negotiate a resolution outside of court, Iva has successfully resolved workplace disputes through informal settlement negotiations, private confidential mediation, and with the assistance of a federal mediator.
Before starting her own practice, Iva was a partner in a boutique plaintiff’s law firm and litigated a variety of civil matters, including Title IX sexual abuse cases, commercial disputes, defamation claims, and employment claims. Prior to transitioning to civil practice, Iva was a public defender for five years. Her criminal trial successes include three full acquittals in a single month of three separate clients all facing prison time on felony charges, including a full acquittal of a client facing two counts that each carried a twenty-year mandatory prison sentence. She is proudest of her work as a public defender, representing people in dire circumstances who faced the loss of their liberty.
After graduating from law school with honors, Iva was an associate at an international law firm in New York City and served as a federal law clerk. Iva’s passion is helping her clients achieve the best possible outcome so they can move forward.