Lauren X. Topelsohn focuses her practice on civil litigation, employment law, business disputes, and publishing and privacy issues. Lauren’s clients include businesses of all sizes, from publicly-traded companies to startups, and professionals and entrepreneurs, in a wide array of industries including manufacturing, luxury goods, fashion, hospitality, publishing, technology and e-commerce.

As a former in-house general counsel, Lauren brings hands-on business and litigation experience to every matter. This experience informs her approach, enabling her to balance legal obligations with real-world practicalities, and identify issues that can potentially lead to disputes in the future.

Trial and Appellate Litigation

A seasoned litigator and appellate attorney, Lauren’s diverse experience includes complex business and contract disputes, corporate issues, business torts, labor and employment, defamation, publicity and privacy rights, intellectual property, Internet and technology issues, personal injury and environmental remediation. She regularly defends and pursues claims for breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, unfair competition, trade secret misappropriation and restrictive covenant issues before New Jersey and New York’s state and federal courts, and frequently arbitrates before the American Arbitration Association, FINRA (on behalf of investors), and other alternative dispute forums.

Employment Law

Lauren’s employment law background is extensive. She represents employees and employers in employment contract and severance agreements, and advises on day-to-day compliance issues, including wage and hour, ADA accommodation and COVID-19. Lauren also litigates wrongful termination, restrictive covenant and sexual harassment actions; whistleblower actions (under both the Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank Acts), and represents businesses before the Department of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and other administrative agencies.

Lauren frequently lectures and writes on topics involving the intersection of law and technology. She is also a regular contributor to the firm’s employment law blog, where she provides incisive analysis of state and federal employment laws and regulations in New Jersey and New York.

  • State of New Jersey
  • State of New York
  • United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

  • Northwestern University School of Law, J.D.
  • Barnard College, B.A., cum laude

Mandelbaum Barrett PC Secures $340,000 Arbitration Award for Wholesale Bakery Client

April 23, 2021

Steven Adler and Lauren Topelsohn secured a $340,000 AAA arbitration award for wholesale bakery client.

Members Steven I. Adler and Lauren X. Topelsohn Victorious in Five Related Lawsuits Confirming a $4 million Arbitration Award

June 30, 2016

Members Steven I. Adler and Lauren X. Topelsohn victorious in five related lawsuits confirming a $4 million Arbitration Award on behalf of client Asta Funding, Inc. On June 30, 2016, the District Court in Newark in a forty-page decision affirmed a $4 million arbitration award

Navigating New York City’s Updated Workers’ Rights Poster Requirements: Compliance and Considerations

March 17, 2024

By July 1, 2024, NYC employers must display and distribute a new Workers’ Rights poster, including a QR code linking to the City’s Workers’ Bill of Rights webpage. Mandated by Local Law 161, failure to comply may result in a $500 penalty per violation. Employers utilizing electronic communication must ensure digital accessibility.

EEOC releases Updated “Know Your Rights” Poster

October 31, 2022

Employers with at least 15 employees are now required to post the new mandatory Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s “Know Your Rights” poster. The poster, replaces and updates the previous “EEO is the Law” poster.  Employers must place the new poster in a conspicuous location in their workplace. Employers without a physical location should post an […]

Can New Jersey Employers Fire an Employee for Marijuana Use?

October 19, 2022

On September 9, 2022, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission on Workplace Impairment published Guidance regarding whether employers may fire employees for smoking or otherwise ingesting marijuana.   For those not paying attention, on February 22, 2021, Governor Murphy signed the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (“CREAMMA”) which legalized recreational […]

New York City’s Pay Transparency Law Takes Effect November 1, 2022

October 15, 2022

On November 1, 2022, New York City employers will be required to disclose salary ranges in advertisements for job openings, promotion and transfer opportunities pursuant to New York City’s Pay Transparency Law. What NYC Employers Are Covered?“Covered employers” include those with four or more employees (including independent contractors and owners), or one or more domestic […]

The New York State Department of Labor ("DOL") adopted long-awaited Regulations for the New York Paid Sick and Safe Leave Law

January 3, 2022

On December 22, 2021, the New York State Department of Labor ("DOL") adopted long-awaited Regulations for the New York Paid Sick and Safe Leave Law which went into effect on September 30, 2020. The Rules, codified as Section 196 to Title 12 of the NYCRR, address several key issues in response to public comments relating to (1) how to count the number of employees for purposes of determining leave; (2) how to calculate sick leave accrual; (3) carryover of accrued leave; and (4) documentation.

Federal Court Upholds New York City Landlord Bar from Enforcing Personal Guaranty

December 4, 2020

On November 25, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Ronnie Abrams ruled that the COVID-19 tenant relief package does not violate landlord rights. In May 2020, New York City enacted three laws to protect commercial and residential tenants during the pandemic. As reported here, Local Law No. 55-2020, entitled “Personal Liability Provisions in Commercial Leases”, bars […]

New York State's Paid Sick Leave Law – New Guidance

December 1, 2020

On September 30, 2020, New York’s State Sick Leave Law (NYSSL) went into effect. Under the NYSSL, employees began accruing sick leave benefits at a rate of one hour of leave for every 30 hours worked. Employers may require employees to wait until January 21, 2021 before they use any accrued leave. What Must Employers […]

New York City to Extend Ban on the Enforcement of Personal Guaranties of Commercial Leases

September 25, 2020

September 25, 2020 Lauren X. Topelsohn Earlier this year, New York City passed a broad COVID-19 relief package, which included several amendments to the New York City Administrative Code that relate to commercial landlords and tenants, including Local Law 1932-A. On September 23, 2020, the New York City Council announced it would extend the present […]

New York City Limits Personal Liability for Commercial Leases

May 28, 2020

By Lauren X. Topelsohn May 28, 2020 On May 26, 2020, Mayor Bill DeBlasio signed Bill. No. 1932-A into law, which went into effect immediately. The law temporarily prohibits the enforcement of personal liability provisions in commercial leases or rental agreements involving a COVID-19 “impacted tenant.” The law applies to tenants impacted during the “COVID-19” […]

Cybersecurity Alert: Class Action Liability Risks for Violations of ADA and New York Human Rights Laws

July 6, 2018

Check out our latest Cybersecurity Law Alert published by Steven Teppler and Lauren X. Topelsohn on ADA Compliance for websites and the recent uptick in class action lawsuits for violations of ADA and New York Human Rights Law in light of the Federal Government's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Cybersecurity Alert: Brand Name Spoofing Still a Popular Phishing Tactic

June 26, 2018

Check out our latest Cybersecurity Alert about Brand Name Spoofing, a popular phishing tactic that can put you and your company at risk. The Firm's Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice led by Of Counsel Steven Teppler, who co-authored the Alert with Member Lauren X. Topelsohn, helps business owners to prevent and mitigate damages from cyber attacks.

Steven Teppler and Lauren X. Topelsohn Discuss the Legal and Ethic Requirements Imposed by the SHIELD Act in the New York Law Journal

October 10, 2022

The SHIELD (Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security) Act is the latest cybersecurity-based legislation, affecting businesses (including law firms) that own or license computerized private information of New York residents. Designed to protect state residents’ data, this act imposes strict requirements on firms and levies harsh fines for those that fail to meet them. […]

Lauren Topelsohn Quoted in Article on "Stormy Waters Ahead for US Culture of Buying Silence"

June 5, 2020

Lauren X. Topelsohn Speaking at the RSA 2020 Security Conference in San Francisco

January 6, 2020

Lauren X. Topelsohn, a Member in our Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group will be speaking at the RSA 2020 Security Conference in San Francisco. Lauren will be participating in "If You Can't Trust The Phone Company: A Mock Trial", which involves a ransomware attack on a medical laboratory that results in the exfiltration of critical test results ("protected health information" or "PHI"). To learn more about the session and the RSA Conference, click here.

Lauren X. Topelsohn Talks About the Minimum Wage Increase in NJ and the Impact on Seasonal Businesses

February 1, 2019

Lauren X. Topelsohn, a Member in the Firm's Employment Law Practice Group talks about the New Jersey minimum wage which is being increased and the impact on "seasonal businesses" like those at the Jersey Shore. Click here to read more.

Lauren X. Topelsohn Authors Article for CNBC on Holiday Party Dos and Don'ts

December 12, 2017

Lauren X. Topelsohn has authored an article for CNBC on the Do's and Dont's for Holiday Parties this season to avoid sexual harassment law suits.

Steven Adler & Lauren Topelsohn Author Article on Confidentiality and Non Disclosure Agreements for New Jersey Law Journal

November 13, 2017

Co-Chair of the Firm's Labor & Employment Law Practice Group Steven Adler and Member Lauren X. Topelsohn authored an article for the New Jersey Law Journal on "Confidentiality and Nondisclosure Provisions in Employment Settlement Agreements Now Coming Under Fire."

Lauren X. Toplesohn Featured in NJBiz Triple Play About Protecting Company Information

February 27, 2017

Lauren X. Toplesohn, a Member in the Firm's Employment & Labor and Cybersecurity Practice Groups recently authored an NJ Biz Triple Play feature that discussed ways to help employers protect their company information. The article, which ran on February 26 and 27th in NJ Biz, can