James R. O'Connor

James R. O'Connor is a dedicated labor and employment law associate at Tully Rinckey PLLC based in Buffalo. His practice includes federal and private sector employment law claims, focusing on the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), New York Labor Law, New York Executive Law, and Qui Tam claims.

Before his tenure at Tully Rinckey PLLC, James served as a Court Assistant for the New York State Unified Court System in Olean, NY. There, he clerked for Support Magistrate Schavon Morgan, overseeing the support calendar and processing custody and support petitions. His responsibilities included drafting orders for support, protection, and temporary custody.

James's earlier experience includes working as an associate attorney at Morris Duffy Alonso & Faley in New York, NY. He defended municipalities against civil rights and negligence claims, managed depositions, and participated in pretrial activities. He also crafted pleadings, discovery demands, and motions, and was involved in settlement negotiations.

Additionally, James volunteered as a confidential law clerk for New York State Court of Appeals Justice Eugene M. Fahey and Honorable William M. Skretny of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

James graduated summa cum laude from the University of Detroit Mercy and earned his law degree from Hofstra University Maurice A. Deane School of Law, where he held editorial roles with the Hofstra Law Review.