Laura C. Mattiacci

About Laura

Laura Carlin Mattiacci is the Co-managing Partner at Console Mattiacci Law, LLC.  She is the lead trial counsel for many of the law firm’s most significant cases. Her recent victories include:

June 12, 2023 – As lead trial counsel, Laura won a unanimous jury verdict of $25.6 million in federal court against Starbucks after a six-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey before the Honorable Joel H. Slomsky. The jury found that race was a determinative factor in Starbucks’ decision to terminate her client, Shannon Phillips. The jury awarded $600,000 in emotional distress damages and $25 million in punitive damages. A petition for back pay, front pay, attorneys’ fees and costs will be filed and decided by the Judge shortly. The verdict was featured on Good Morning America, in The New York Times and by many other prominent news organizations.

January 2, 2024 – Laura was the lead trial counsel in the sex and pregnancy discrimination case of Meigs v. Care Providers Insurance Services, LLC. After accepting an Offer of Judgment for $75,000, Plaintiff filed a Fee Petition for Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. The Honorable Joel H. Slomsky issued an Opinion awarding $438,245.35 in attorneys’ fees and $10,429.35 in costs.

 After citing many other fee petition decisions involving CML, Judge Slomsky wrote: “[e]nough has been said in court decisions about the reputation and experience of Console and Mattiacci to convince this Court that other judges view them as exceptional lawyers who warrant in 2023 the hourly rate requested in this case…[t]he Court concurs with other judges in this Circuit who presided over cases with Console and Mattiacci as counsel in recognizing their stellar reputation and expertise in the field of employment matters…[t]he skill and experience displayed by CML Lawyers in cases before this Court further support their requested rates.” Meigs v. Care Providers Insurance Services, LLC, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 91.

“In particular, the Court notes the skill and experience of Laura Mattiacci, Esquire, in Phillips v. Starbucks Corporation, a case tried before this Court. See Phillips v. Starbucks Corporation, No. 19-cv-19423 (D.N.J.). There, a complex employment matter was litigated in 2023 and the jury awarded the plaintiff a total of $600,000 in compensatory damages and $25,000,000 in punitive damages. Phillips, ECF 150 at 2-3.” Meigs, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 91, n.9.

December 1, 2022 – Laura was the lead trial counsel and handled oral argument for attorneys’ fees, costs and an enhancement of fees under Rendine. In a very significant decision, The Honorable Christine P. O’Hearn of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey granted a 40% enhancement of the attorneys’ fees incurred by plaintiff after the unanimous federal court jury verdict win in Hightower v. Ingerman Management Company, et al. The Court had previously entered an award of $939,048.00 in attorney’s fees and $71,133.87 in costs. With the Rendine multiplier, the final fees and costs awarded were $1,385,801.39. Together with the underlying award for economic loss, pain and suffering and punitive damages, the total recovery in this single-person race/retaliation case, was $2,310,801.39. In rendering her decision, Judge O’Hearn stated: “…the skills, ethics and professionalism exhibited by all the attorneys on the plaintiff’s side during this very long, very old case, was exceptional. Ms. Mattiacci, in the Court’s opinion, displayed excellent trial skills, a command of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, as well as, I think, a level of restraint and professionalism in this case that is unusual to face in federal court and the very difficult circumstances under which the case was tried, primarily because of the defendants’ trial counsel.” (J. O’Hearn, October 20, 2022).

June 9, 2022 – As lead trial counsel, Laura won a jury verdict in federal court on behalf of an African American Director of Human Resources. She alleged she was terminated after 18 months of employment for opposing race and sex discriminatory practices of the executive leadership team, which was comprised of all White males. The nine-person jury (of 7 White and 2 Asian jurors) unanimously handed down its verdict in Hightower v. Ingerman Management Company, et al. after a two-week trial in Camden before the Honorable Christine P. O’Hearn in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

The jury unanimously found that Ms. Hightower was retaliated against in violation of federal and New Jersey state law and awarded her $325,000 in pain and suffering damages and $500,000 in punitive damages. A judgment of $100,000 in stipulated economic loss was added, for a total of $925,000. The complaint was filed in 2017 and required an intense amount of legal work.

April 22, 2022 – Laura was lead trial counsel in this case in which her client was awarded over $800,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs by Judge Timothy R. Rice after winning a unanimous jury verdict and $2.254 million judgment in an age discrimination case, bringing judgment to over $3 million in case against AT&T. In setting the top CLS rate per hour for both Laura and her co-counsel, Susan Saint-Antoine, Judge Rice stated in his Opinion: “Saint-Antoine’s experience and expertise on several of the pre-trial motions was critical in allowing the case to move to trial and Mattiacci’s courtroom skills were pivotal to Ray’s successful verdict. Their hourly rates must reflect such expertise and skill. Mattiacci’s age also is irrelevant to the value of her legal talent, which has contributed to her status as a shareholder and as a formidable advocate for her clients in challenging cases. Attorneys of comparable skill and ability merit equal compensation without regard to gender or age.”

“Mattiacci has devoted her practice to employment law for 19 years, has been a shareholder for 10 years, is well-recognized as a leading employment trial attorney, and has developed extraordinary record of courtroom achievement. Her exceptional advocacy skills helped to persuade the jury to award a significant verdict for Ray in a complex case. Such expertise justifies a premium to the rate allocated to an attorney of her experience level in the CLS fee schedule.” Read more about it here.

December 9, 2021 – Laura was the lead trial counsel in this case, obtaining a judgment of $2,253,695.00 plus attorneys’ fees and costs after winning a unanimous age discrimination jury verdict on November 19, 2021 in federal court against AT&T Mobility Services, Inc. The eight-person jury handed down its verdict after a five-day trial in Philadelphia before The Honorable Timothy R. Rice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The jury unanimously found that not only did Ms. Ray prove by a preponderance of the evidence that age was a determinative factor in AT&T’s decision to “surplus” and terminate 49-year-old Ms. Ray, but also that AT&T showed “reckless disregard” for whether its actions were prohibited by the law (resulting in double back-pay liquidated damages). Ms. Ray alleged there was a fraudulent “ratings and rankings” system that AT&T used to justify the discriminatory decisions resulting in older workers being placed on “surplus” status and terminated. Judge Rice entered a damages judgment of $2,253,695, which included $496,818 in back-pay, $1,260,059 in front-pay, and $496,818 in liquidated damages. In addition, an award of attorneys’ fees and costs of approximately $800,000 was given, brining the total recovery to over $3 million.

August 22, 2019 – Laura argued in front of a panel of judges in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals for the reversal of the dismissal of her client’s disability discrimination case by the lower court. A unanimous panel of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with Laura and reversed the lower court’s decision, sending the case to trial.

November 19, 2018 – As lead trial counsel, Laura won a unanimous jury verdict of $6.314 million in federal court against Teva Pharmaceuticals USA after a five-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania before the Honorable Mark A. Kearney. The jury found that Teva engaged in national origin discrimination (anti-American bias), created a hostile work environment, and retaliated against Laura’s client for his complaints of age and national origin discrimination. The jury awarded $200,000 in emotional distress damages, $332,000 in back-pay, $332,000 in liquidated damages, $450,000 in front pay and $5 million in punitive damages. The punitive damages award was reduced due to statutory caps. The final judgment was $2,092,634.27. You can read more about the case here.

July 19, 2018 – As lead trial counsel, Laura won a unanimous jury verdict in federal court against Temple University after a four-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania before the Honorable Robert F. Kelly. The claims were age discrimination, sex discrimination, and retaliation. The jury awarded $350,000 in emotional distress damages and $250,000 in back-pay. The jury also found that Temple University acted with “willful indifference,” which added an additional $250,000 in liquidated damages. Post-verdict, Judge Kelly awarded front-pay damages bringing the judgment to $910,000. On October 16, 2018, after Temple filed an appeal to overturn the verdict, Judge Kelly ruled that the verdict should be upheld. You can read more about the case here.

June 20, 2017 – As lead trial counsel, Laura won a jury verdict on behalf of former Phillies pitcher and MLB Network analyst, Mitch Williams, in his breach of contract lawsuit against Major League Baseball Network. After an 11-day jury trial in Camden, New Jersey before the Honorable Michael Kassel, the jury found in favor of Mr. Williams, rejecting MLB Network’s allegations that Mr. Williams violated the “morals clause” in his contract in regards to events that occurred at a youth baseball game in 2014 where he was the manager. The amount of the award was $1,565,333, plus costs and interest. You can read more about the case here.

December 13, 2016 – As lead trial counsel, Laura won a unanimous jury verdict in federal court in a disability discrimination case against the Golden Nugget casino after a six-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey before the Honorable Joseph H. Rodriguez. The jury found that his disability and request for an accommodation and/or alleged complaint regarding the failure to accommodate him was a determinative factor in Golden Nugget’s decision not to hire him. The jury was asked to only assess compensatory damages for emotional distress and as a result of the failure to hire the jury returned with a verdict of $340,000. Mr. Jackson, who made approximately $48,000 a year, also has back-pay losses of approximately $170,000 as well as front-pay losses, the award of which would be determined by the Judge. You can read more about the case here.

January 11, 2016 – As lead trial counsel, Laura won a unanimous jury verdict in federal court in an age discrimination case against AT&T. Laura’s client, 66-year old, Jack Gerundo, was terminated by AT&T as part of a “surplus” that he alleged caused him, and other older workers, to lose their jobs. Mr. Gerundo alleged there was a secret and fraudulent “ratings and rankings” system that AT&T used to justify the discriminatory decisions resulting in several older workers being placed on “surplus” status. After a five-day trial, the jury ruled in favor of Mr. Gerundo, finding that his age was a determinative factor in the surplus decision and awarded him $370,000 after attorneys’ fees and costs were also submitted. On December 20, 2016, after AT&T filed an appeal to overturn the verdict, Judge Schmehl ruled that the verdict should be upheld. You can read more about the case here.

In 2013 – As lead trial counsel, Laura won the largest employment law verdict in Pennsylvania that year, as reported in The Legal Intelligencer – a $1,677,988.75 unanimous jury verdict (plus attorney’s fees and costs) on behalf of a whistleblower who was fired after complaining of illegal activity in the workplace. You can read more about the case here.

In 2011 – As lead trial counsel, Laura won a six-figure jury verdict on behalf of a worker in defamation and intentional interference with contractual relations case (while nine months pregnant). You can read more about the case here.

*Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Special Honors*

• Included in the Super Lawyers® list in the area of “Employment Litigation – Plaintiff” by New Jersey Super Lawyers Magazine (2020-2022). The selection methodology for the Super Lawyers award can be found HERE.
• Included in the Super Lawyers® list “Top 100: Philadelphia Super Lawyers” (2015, 2018-2021). The selection methodology for the Super Lawyers award can be found HERE.
• Included in the Super Lawyers® list of “Top 100: Pennsylvania Super Lawyers” (2015, 2018-2020). The selection methodology for the Super Lawyers award can be found HERE.
• Included in the Super Lawyers® list of “Top 50 Female Attorneys in Pennsylvania” (2014-2022). The selection methodology for the Super Lawyers award can be found HERE.
• Included in the Philadelphia Super Lawyers® list “Employment Litigation” (2013-2022). The selection methodology for the Super Lawyers award can be found HERE.
• Included in The Best Lawyers in America, Philadelphia list of “Lawyer Of The Year” in the category of “Employment Law – Individuals” (2015-2021). The selection methodology for The Best Lawyers in America award can be found HERE.
• Included in The Best Lawyers in America, Philadelphia list for “Litigation – Labor Employment” (2021). The selection methodology for The Best Lawyers in America award can be found HERE.
• Included in The Legal Intelligencer list of “2011 Lawyers on the Fast Track” – a distinction given to only 27 lawyers under the age of 40.
• National Championship Winner of the American Association for Justice’s (AAJ) Trial Advocacy Competition
• Two-time Regional Champion of AAJ’s Trial Advocacy Competition
• Champion of Quinnipiac University School of Law’s Northeast Regional Criminal Justice Advocacy Competition
• Recipient of the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association’s James J. Manderino Award for Outstanding Trial Advocacy
• Recipient of Victor A. Jaczun Award for Outstanding Trial Advocacy
• Recipient of Alia Herrara Memorial AAJ Auxiliary Scholarship for winning essay on the topic: “The Professional Trial Lawyer: Why Is Civility Not a Sign of Weakness But a Badge of Honor?”

*Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the New Jersey Supreme Court.