Nicholas Sikon

Partner

My Legal Practice

I represent employees from every industry in the litigation and negotiation of employment matters, and I advise them on all aspects of the employment relationship. My clients span the corporate ladder, from c-suite executives alleging breach of their employment agreements to junior employees accusing powerful individuals of sexual assault.

I represent clients from the beginning of the employment relationship to the end, whether they’re signing offer letters or believe they’ve been separated for unjust reasons. My docket typically includes litigation in federal and New York state court, as well as arbitrations before JAMS, AAA, and other forums.

When I meet with my clients, I develop strategies that serve their goals. I bring a highly practical approach to litigation and counseling work, and I thrive when confronting problems that require creative, thoughtful solutions. I enjoy working with individuals facing challenging situations at work and helping them navigate those issues to reach a positive outcome.

Prior to joining Outten & Golden in August of 2015, I was an associate with a large defense firm, where I represented employers across a wide spectrum of industries in all aspects of employment law. In that role, I worked with employers across the country, counseling them on complex employment transactions and defending them in litigation in federal and state court. I also currently serve as an arbitrator with respect to certain employment matters.

I bring this defense and arbitration experience to my individual employment work, using it to help guide employees in the face of challenging workplace situations.

Notable Cases

Litigated breach of contract and gender discrimination claims on behalf of a c-suite hospital executive in federal district court and successfully defeated the employer’s summary judgment motion.
Represented a major studio executive in a whistleblower retaliation and gender discrimination case and successfully resolved it for a substantial amount.
Represented a sexual assault victim in a prominent #MeToo matter and successfully resolved it for a substantial amount.
Represented a former U.S. Marine pilot in a gender discrimination and retaliation case against a government employer, settling it for a substantial monetary amount and securing her reinstatement
Successfully settled a disability discrimination case brought by a prominent financial services executive.
Represented a large group of employees with breach of contract claims related to a startup’s failure to grant equity and successfully resolved it for a substantial monetary amount.
Successfully settled a Sarbanes Oxley whistleblower retaliation claim brought by a medical technology sales professional.
Arbitrated a breach of contract claim on behalf of a consulting executive and successfully resolved it for a substantial monetary amount.
Represented three employees in a religious harassment case and successfully resolved it for a substantial monetary amount as well as reinstatement of one of the employees.

Credentials

B.A., Macalester College
J.D., George Washington University Law School
Admitted to practice law in New York and Maryland
Admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
Member, Labor and Employment Law Section of the American Bar Association and New York Bar Association
Member, National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) and its New York affiliate NELA/NY

“My work involves peoples’ jobs, and often their identities. When something goes wrong, it can be a real hit to their mental health and how they perceive themselves.”

Nicholas Sikon

My Story

My interest in employment law began in Washington, DC during law school, when I clerked for a civil rights employment law firm. In many ways, this was a continuation of work I’ve been interested in for a very long time.

I’ve always loved history, in particular the U.S. Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights movement. In college, I studied history and political science, focusing on these periods. After college, I worked for the ACLU, doing public education and legal work. I’ve always felt a strong connection to the disadvantaged, and the belief that every employee has a right to pursue their career in a fair and equitable workplace.

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