Mike focuses his practice on providing legal guidance to public and private sector employers in managing all aspects of the employment relationship. 

Mike litigates cases in state and federal courts and has argued numerous cases before the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the Connecticut Appellate Court, and the Connecticut Supreme Court. He also frequently appears before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights & Opportunities, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), the Connecticut Employment Security Division, the Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission, the state and federal Departments of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, the State Labor Board, the Freedom of Information Commission, and OSHA/ConnOSHA. Mike's clients operate in a wide variety of industries including retail, healthcare, energy, and manufacturing. He has also represented political parties and candidates in various election matters.

Mike is adept in handling arbitrations and mediations, having represented employers in grievance and interest arbitrations before the State Board of Mediation and Arbitration and before arbitrators of the American Arbitrator Association. Mike's labor relations experience also includes defending employers in unfair labor practice/prohibitive practice investigations and hearings.

In addition to his litigation and labor relations experience, Mike routinely advises clients on how to achieve their objectives and minimize legal risk within the changing landscape of labor and employment laws. Mike, who has completed the MCAD’s trainer course, regularly provides training to clients and industry groups on harassment prevention, union campaigns, and other topics to assist employers in maintain best practices.

Honors & Awards
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Labor & Employment
  • The Legal 500 United States, Recommended attorney in Labor & Employment - Labor and Employment Disputes (2021)
  • The Best Lawyers in America - Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment (2018 - 2025)
  • AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • "Judge Maxwell Heiman Memorial Award," Hartford County Bar Association
  • "Impact Award," The Connecticut Law Tribune
  • The Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year," Hartford, Litigation - Labor and Employment (2018)
  • "Connecticut Super Lawyers," by Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers magazine, 2018-2021

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Michael Harrington - Super Lawyers Widget

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Michael Harrington - Best Lawyers 2025

  • Successfully represented an employer before the Connecticut Supreme Court in establishing that punitive damages were not available under Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act.
  • Successfully represented a law firm before the Connecticut Supreme Court, establishing when a bonus is not considered a "wage" thereby avoiding double damages.
  • Obtained summary judgment for a private school faced with an age discrimination claim.
  • Successfully established that Workers’ Compensation Commission did not have jurisdiction over managed care plan on behalf of construction and property management company.
  • Assisted clients in reducing citations and penalties issued by OSHA. 
  • Successfully represented a client before the Connecticut Supreme Court on an appeal from the Freedom of Information Commission.
  • Obtained partial summary judgment for national footwear retailer faced with a disability discrimination claim.
  • Prevailed in arbitration challenging the dismissal of a long-term law enforcement officer.
  • Successful represented a political party before the Second Circuit Court Appeals regarding a ballot issue.
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Education
  • Syracuse University College of Law
    J.D., summa cum laude, 1995
  • McGill University
    B. Comm., Great Distinction, 1991
Memberships
  • Connecticut Public Employer Labor Relations Association, Board of Directors
Bar Admissions
  • Massachusetts
  • Connecticut