Molly Brooks

Partner

My Legal Practice

I focus on class action wage theft and overtime cases in restaurant and hospitality, logistics, healthcare, retail and other businesses where employees are routinely not being paid according to the law.

The cases I take on can involve outright wage theft, minimum wage violations, time shaving, improper expense reimbursement, worker misclassification, and other practices that employers engage in knowingly and unknowingly. I also help employees address workplace issues related to transgender identity, sexual harassment, and race discrimination.

All of my clients are bound by a common thread – they’re hard workers who want to right an injustice, for themselves and their fellow workers. My job is to guide them through the litigation process, and help them find their voice along the way.

Notable Cases

Secured $8.1 million for appliance repair workers in New York and New Jersey, who were allegedly misclassified as overtime exempt.
Won a $4 million settlement for hourly employees of one of the country’s largest home goods retailers, who alleged the company failed to pay them in full by the required payday
Secured $2.5 million for airport security officers who were allegedly required to stay past the end of their shifts without pay, and did not receive proper wage statements and contractual benefits
Obtained a $7.5 million settlement for tipped workers of a major New York City restaurant chain, who were allegedly paid an improper minimum wage, and forced to share tips with managers
Secured $3.9 million for Buffalo Wild Wings servers and bartenders, who were allegedly required to perform non-tipped work while receiving a reduced minimum wage

Credentials

B.A., Grinnell College
J.D., Northeastern University School of Law
Admitted to practice law in New York and Massachusetts
Admitted to the following federal courts: The United States District Courts for the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of New York; and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Member, New York State Bar Association (Labor & Employment Committee)
Member, National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA)
Member, NELA New York Affiliate (NELA/NY)
Member, American Bar Association

“I’m committed to standing alongside workers to fight against wage theft and discrimination.”

Molly Brooks

My Story

Growing up in a rural factory and farming town shaped not only my worldview but also my purpose. Around me, hardworking people faced economic insecurity against a backdrop of unjust corporate power. In the summers, I worked in the local factory and waited tables to earn money for college, but many of my coworkers were relying on these jobs to get by. Advocating for fair wages and the right to work free of discrimination and harassment is not just about the law—it’s about honoring the people I grew up with and ensuring that all workers, no matter where they live or what they do, are treated with the dignity they deserve.

In one of my first cases, a supermarket chain, owned by a billionaire, was shaving time from workers’ hours at a mass scale. On one side was a powerful and connected employer, willing to defend the practice at any cost. On the other side were hourly workers who were barely surviving in New York City and deserved justice and the money they had worked for. Litigating the case was just the kind of work I wanted to be doing – taking on challenging situations where the outcome could materially improve the lives of workers.

Today, I stay true to my ideological goals and convictions. Whether it’s defending restaurant workers, logistics drivers, security guards or anyone else, I pursue cases that will make an impact.

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