METS, SCHIRO & MCGOVERN, LLP

Working for Labor in the New Jersey & New York Regions

Our Firm

The attorneys at the Law Office of Mets, Schiro & McGovern, LLP are committed to protecting the rights and interests of our clients. Our lawyers are focused on providing assertive representation designed to preserve their clients’ rights and the promise of their clients’ futures. We recognize that our clients deserve nothing less than our best efforts and performance.

PARTNERS

Take a tour of our expert legal team below.

Founding Partner

James M. Mets

James M. Mets, is a founding partner of Mets, Schiro & McGovern, LLP. He concentrates his practice in representing both public and private sector unions in all aspects of labor-management relations, with a particular emphasis on public sector collective negotiations.

Mr. Mets has served for many years as an instructor in many different venues, including the State PBA Collective Bargaining Seminar, the NJ Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the American Arbitration Association, and the Rutgers Union Leadership Academy. He has been a guest speaker at the National Labor Relations Board Annual Conference, the N.J. League of Municipalities Annual Conference, and the Association of Labor Relations Agencies Annual Conference.

FIRM OVERVIEW

Mets, Schiro & McGovern, LLP has successfully represented unions in contract negotiations, unfair practice proceedings, litigation, and, when necessary, lock-out and strikes. The firm provides clients more than just legal advice but an overall strategy and tactical approach in all facets of the union/employer relationship.

The firm is committed to protecting and advancing the rights of ordinary working people without fear of retaliation, harassment or discrimination, and to be financially compensated in a fair and just manner. In pursuing these objectives, the firm relies upon both its legal acumen and the professional relationships it has developed through decades of practice in this highly specialized area of law.

Founding partners James Mets and Leonard Schiro are long–term adjunct professors at Rutgers University Union Leadership Academy and Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations. Their in-depth knowledge, combined with decades of experience in labor law, makes them a powerful ally for unions and union members. They are joined by Kevin McGovern, a seasoned labor lawyer who has served the past three administrations as Director of the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations in Trenton, New Jersey. Together, James Mets, Leonard Schiro and Kevin McGovern offer an unmatched blend of legal expertise and professional relationships that makes the firm uniquely qualified to serve the needs of labor.

Mets, Schiro & McGovern, LLP represents clients in all forums in New Jersey and New York. Our attorneys regularly appear before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), New Jersey Public Employment Relations Committee (PERC), New York Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), Office of Administrative Law (OAL) and all state and federal courts and administrative agencies.

To speak with a partner at the firm, call Mets, Schiro & McGovern,LLP at 732.636.0040 or click here to send an email. We will respond promptly.

COUNSEL AND ASSOCIATES

Brian J. Manetta

COUNSEL

Mr. Manetta received his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, where he received a Dean’s Scholarship and was the Editor in Chief of the Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law. Mr. Manetta graduated with a degree in history from Ithaca College. While an undergraduate, Mr. Manetta was a four-year varsity letter winner on Ithaca College’s football team.

Mr. Manetta regularly appears before the following:

Federal and State Courts;
National Labor Relations Board;
New Jersey Civil Service Commission;
New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission;
Boards of the New Jersey Public Employees Retirement System; and
New Jersey Police and Fire Retirement System.

In addition to the practice of law, Mr. Manetta also teaches Employment Law and Employee Relations in the Entertainment Industry at Rutgers University.

Mr. Manetta is admitted to practice law in the States of New Jersey and New York; the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Education

Seton Hall University School of Law, where he received a Dean’s Scholarship and was the Editor in Chief of the Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law.

Ithaca College, B.A. History – where he played Varsity football all four years.

Nicholas P. Milewski

COUNSEL

Nicholas P. Milewski has well over a decade of experience litigating complex employment claims and civil rights claims filed with public entities and private entities, including retaliation claims made pursuant to the LAD and CEPA, and discrimination and hostile work environment claims made pursuant to State and Federal law on the basis of gender, disability, military service, age and religion, whistleblower retaliation claims, and various constitutional claims. Mr. Milewski has also litigated multiple actions in Lieu of Prerogative Writs, Open Public Records Act claims and Title 59 claims filed with municipal entities. He has also litigated multiple police promotional lawsuits with public entities. He has experience drafting contracts, operating procedures, ordinances and resolutions as to local governments. Mr. Milewski has litigated employment matters at various levels of State and Federal courts, including extensive appellate experience.

In addition, Mr. Milewski has extensive labor experience and has handled matters on a wide range of topics including conducting contract negotiations and serving as special counsel in disciplinary matters involving law enforcement personnel. He also has experience participating in multiple workplace dispute/impropriety investigations. Prior to focusing his practice on employment/labor law and litigation of same, Mr. Milewski litigated commercial claims against private clients and drafted operating and partnership agreements for new business entities, employment agreements and leases.

Education

J.D., Rutgers University School of Law – Newark, 2003 B.A., Rutgers University, Rutgers College, 1999

Admissions State of New Jersey, December 2003 Third Circuit Court of Appeals, January 2004 United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, January 2004

Christa Lamia

ASSOCIATE

Prior to joining Mets Schiro & McGovern, Ms. Lamia worked at the actor’s union, SAG-AFTRA, and for a plaintiff worker’s compensation firm.

Ms. Lamia received her J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law, where she was a fundraising coordinator for the Sports and Entertainment Law Forum. While in law school, she was selected to participate in the Tulane International Baseball Arbitration Competition.

Before law school, Ms. Lamia earned her degree in Playwriting and Screenwriting at SUNY Purchase.

Ms. Lamia is admitted to practice law in the State of New Jersey and the State of New York.

Education
University of Oregon School of Law
SUNY Purchase, B.A. Playwriting and Screenwriting

“When our negotiations broke down and we had nowhere to turn, we called Mets, Schiro, McGovern. The results were incredible and we settled with a contract we only hoped for. Thank you.”

Janice Kandler, Corporate Union Head

Mets, Schiro & McGovern, LLP
838 Green Street
Suite 102
Iselin, NJ 08830
Phone: 732.636.0040
Fax: 732.636.5705