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About Robert
Biography
Whenever I am asked to speak in public I enjoy sharing with my audience that I do not write wills or do house closings ...but if they have employment issues relating to "hiring" "firing" or "managing-in-between" ...my message will likely hit home. I firmly believe that neither employers nor employees have an absolute lock on stupidity ...and given the right (or wrong) set of circumstances, either side will often launch otherwise avoidable disputes into outer space. In all of this ...We Can Help
The Stanger Stanfield Difference. Employment disputes tend to be volatile and complex. Whether you are an employer or an employee you need legal counsel who can handle difficult and sensitive issues with speed, skill and confidence. At Stanger Stanfield, I practice exclusively in the labor and employment field. Together with my colleagues, we know the players, we know the rules, and we have the necessary practical experience to support our understanding of the law. We're experienced in handling both your stress and your issues; we roll up our sleeves and get at it. Members of the firm appear regularly before human rights commissions, state labor departments, arbitration boards, and a myriad of other administrative agencies. We have extensive experience litigating in State and Federal Courts throughout the New England States.
Creative, Practical Advice. Knowing the law is the easy part of our job. The more difficult aspect is applying the legal principles in creative and practical ways, to achieve our clients' short and long-term objectives. We take pride in our ability to meet this challenge. Before we give an opinion, make a recommendation, or advance an argument on your behalf, the legal and practical implications are always considered.
We encourage settlement or alternative dispute resolution where that is the best course of action. If the only areas of compromise are excessive or unsuitable, we tell you so. The result is that you are put in the position of making an informed and pragmatic decision.
We are used to dealing with sophisticated problems on short notice. Whether you need an employment contract drafted, a severance package prepared, or a cease and desist order to protect your business assets, we respond promptly, skillfully and with confidence.
Proactive Solutions. We encourage clients to seek our advice before problems arise. Employers can often avoid acrimonious and costly disputes through careful preparation and planning. By helping you take a proactive, preventative approach to labor and employment issues, we can save you time, money and aggravation.
Our lawyers are committed to providing individual, personalized service. We take the time to get to know you and to learn about your business. Once we understand your problem, we tell you in plain English about the legal framework, your options, and our recommendations.
We are easily accessible in person, by e-mail or by telephone. Voice mail messages are returned promptly. Because employment problems don't always arise during business hours, we make our home and cellular numbers available to clients who expect to have difficulties in the evening or on weekends.
We Can Help.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Arbitration
20%
45 years | 1,000 cases
Discrimination
20%
45 years | 1,000 cases
Employment and Labor
20%
45 years | 1,000 cases
Sexual Harassment
20%
45 years | 1,000 cases
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Massachusetts for 15 years
State: Massachusetts
Acquired: 2010
No misconduct found
Licensed in Connecticut for 45 years
State: Connecticut
Acquired: 1980
No misconduct found
Location
No contact information is available for this lawyer
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Robert M Fortgang's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 41 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Jeff. | September 9, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent support
Rob was great from the beginning. After I followed through with my part of filing the complaint (making it a serious situation), he represented me on contingency basis for an age discrimination /failure to hire case with a major, national corporation.
Posted by cassandra | August 19, 2019 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Excellent consultation
Mr. Fortgang not only answered the phone, he listened to my problem and gave a thoughtful and educated response. He spoke in professional but personable manner that set me at ease. I would hire him for any future needs.
Robert Fortgang
Replied last September 4, 2019Thank you so much for this very kind recommendation.
Posted by anonymous | February 1, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Willfull Misconduct Appeal
Attorney Fortgang went above and beyond representing my Husband in a Willfull Misconduct Appeal. From contacting us over Thanksgiving weekend to preparing him for the Appeal. He straight shooter what exactly to expect Either way it turned out. Which in this case was a Home run
Posted by Stephen | November 9, 2017 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Extremely patient and knowledgeable
I spoke with Robert and his partner Katie at length about my case over the course of a few days. I know I was asking a lot of questions again and again, yet they took the time to answer them professionally each and every time. I felt like more than a case to them with the time they took to help me du...
Posted by Lew | November 6, 2017 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Very Helpful Attorney
Attorney Fortgang contacted me and over the phone provided very sound advice for my situation without charge. I found his insights valuable and he spent a considerable amount of time speaking to me. In the event I do need a labor lawyer, I would not hesitate to contact him for representation. High...
Robert M Fortgang's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Rob has extensive experience in employment controversies and diligently stays on top of this rapidly changing legal specialty. I have been adverse to Rob's client and have sat as an arbiter in a case he presented. In both instances, he was thorough, well prepared and creative in his approaches to the situations. He always presents his clients in a logical, forthright manner, and therefore avoids the confusion and entanglements displayed by lessfocused lawyers. I recommend Rob highly as an intelligent and resourceful problem-solver. Charles D. Houlihan, Jr."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. For over 35 years I have made referrals to Rob on matters of his expertise. He is one of the finest attorneys I have ever met, very intelligent and perceptive. I had the pleasure of watching him in action, when we shared offices and in the courtroom. Matters beyond my practice were always referred to Rob and he never let me down. As counsel for a small business association, I had many inquiries that needed follow-up by an outside attorney. Rob was always available to help these folks."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Robert. Highly respected in the legal community with a strong reputation for client advocacy and dedication."
"Robert is an extremely competent employment lawyer. I recommend him highly."
"Although i no longer practice labor and employment law, I did so for more than a decade and recognize a good attorney in that area of law when I see one. Mr. Fortgang has provide quite a few insightful answers to questions on AVVO about labor and employment issues. I wouldn't hesitate to refer a client in need to him for representation. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community."
"I personally endorse Attorney Fortgang for being an outstanding practitioner in his field and for delivering quality legal work to his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Robert M Fortgang is an experienced attorney whose participation and comments in Avvo show his commitment to serving clients very, very well. He is an excellent attorney that I recommend wholeheartedly."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Fortgang is a highly experienced and well respected member of the legal community. He is a zealous advocate for the rights and interests of his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Not only is he a reputable (and nice) guy, he is an excellent and ethical lawyer.He has a total command of the law and its practical application."
"I heartily endorse Attorney Fortgang. His professional expertise, extensive and broad experience, and problem solving orientation have resulted in a very strong demand for his services."
"I endorse this Mr. Fortang for his well-thought-out and cogent answers to questions posed on AVVO. I would not hesitate to retain him in his practice areas!"
"I have read many of the answers provided by Mr. Fortgang on Avvo. He provides clear, concise, and thoughtful answers. His answers on Avvo display expertise in the area of employment law, and he certainly is an asset to the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Fortgang is highly rated by Martindale-Hubbel, which is the mostly widely regarded rating in the legal community, as the ratings are the result of peer review and input from judges. Mr. Fortgang's contributions on AVVO are tremendously helpful. For example, I recently came across his legal guide about accommodating religious practices. His guide explained clearly that the interactive process is the employer's opportunity to create a record of good faith, whether successful or unsuccessful; that is a keen insight that can only come from deep experience."
"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Lawyers can endorse other lawyers. The genuine mark of an excellent attorney comes through praise from clients and former clients, as Bob has demonstrated. Mickey Busca"
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Experience
Honors
2015
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
Clients' Choice 2012, Avvo
Work Experience
1984 - Present
Senior Vice President and Counsel, Human Resources, Connecticut Small Business Federation
1984 - Present
Counsel, Human Resources, Connecticut Human Resource Reports
1984 - Present
Attorney, Robert Fortgang Associates
1982 - 1984
Director of Industrial Relations and Small Business Services, Connecticut Business & Industry Association
1980 - 1982
Assistant Director of Human Resources, The Hartford Courant
1978 - 1980
Personnel Manager, Gerber Scientific Instrument Company
1976 - 1978
Compensation Analyst, Aetna Life & Casualty
Associations
2008 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the Second CircuitAdmitted as an Attorney
2007 - Present
Connecticut Employment Lawyers AssociationMember
1997 - Present
Simsbury Chamber of CommerceMember
1980 - Present
Connecticut Bar AssociationMember
1980 - Present
Connecticut Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law SectionMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Daniel Santos v Brooks Pharmacy d/b/a Maxi Drug, Inc. and Jean Coutu Group PJC USA, INC.
Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment was granted
Karen Smigel v State of Connecticut Insurance Department
The matter was settled prior to trial.
David Donovan v. Anderson Merchandisers
The matter was amicably settled prior to trial.
Suzanne Desrochers v. Brooks Pharmacy
Dismissed following investigation
NAMCO, LLC v Anthony Giovanni
Plaintiff Judgment in the amount of $53,093.21
Kimberly Skaggs v Subway Real Estate Corp., Doctor’s Associates Inc.
The matter was settled prior to trial.
Cooney v North American Marketing Company d/b/a NAMCO
Defendant's Verdict
Angela Ventola vs. Brooks Pharmacy
Dismissed after investigation
Meredith Mello v Brooks Pharmacy
Settled on the eve of trial.
Lilith Caulfield v. Brooks Pharmacy
Dismissed after investigation.
Sabrina Bryant v Brooks Pharmacy
Settled prior to trial.
Education
1980
University of Bridgeport School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1972
Adelphi University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2011
Employment Issues Update
Hiring, Firing & Managing In-Between
2010
Windsor Chamber of Commerce
The Employment Law Answer Man
2009
Simsbury Public Library
Help! I think my job is in jeopardy.
2009
Granby Public Library
Employment Law Answer Man
2009
Avon Public Library
Hiring, Firing & Managing In-between
1998
Connecticut Club Managers Association Educational Conference
Contemporary Legal Issues Affecting Employment
1997
Connecticut Club Managers Association Educational Conference
An Examination of Some Critical Legal Issues Affecting Connecticut Employers
1997
Connecticut Club Managers Association Educational Conference
Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace & Hiring, Firing & Managing-in-between
1993
New England Wholesalers Convention
How To Avoid Employee Lawsuits
1992
1992 International Remodeling Contractors Association
Strategies To Stay One Step Ahead
1991
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Seminar Series
Wage & Hour Laws and Labor Practices
1991
CSCPS's Industry, Government and Education Conference
Legal Issues Affecting Employment
1990
CECA - Management Seminar
Federal & State Minimum Wage and Overtime Laws
1990
A Personnel Compliance Seminar
How to Meet Your Legal Obligations
Publications
1999
Connecticut Human Resource Reports, LLC
Legal Counsel and contributor of employment related forms and articles, including the At-Will Hiring Package
1998
Personnelly Speaking©
Series of monthly newsletters for the membership of the Connecticut Small Business Federation
1994
Employee Manual Maker©
Chief legal consultant and Senior contributing author
1993
Connecticut Heating & Cooling Contractors Human Resource Publication
How To Develop an Employee Handbook
1990
Personnelly Speaking©
Series of monthly newsletters for the membership of the Connecticut Association of Builders and Contractors
1989
Personnelly Speaking©
Series of monthly newsletters for the membership of the Connecticut Society of Association Executives
1989
Personnelly Speaking©
Negligent Hiring ...Choose With Care
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can I collect unemployment in CT while receiving severance payments or do I wait until severance payments are done?
28 Aug 2019
Q&A
Should I sign the warning letter ?
27 Jun 2019
Q&A
Can I plead the 5th at a court magistrate hearing ?
27 Jun 2019