MICHELE A. BAPTISTE

     Michele Baptiste has been practicing law in New York State for more than two decades.  Ms. Baptiste began her legal career as an Agency Attorney at the New York City Department of Education’s (“NYC DOE”) Office of Labor Relations.  At the NYC DOE, Ms. Baptiste successfully handled labor arbitrations and hearings before the New York State Public Employment Relations Board. Additionally, Ms. Baptiste served as a hearing officer for Step 3 level grievance hearings. 

      In 2002, Ms. Baptiste worked at labor and employment law firms in both Nassau and Suffolk County where she conducted sexual harassment investigations, appeared before the New York State Division of Human Rights, represented clients at Education Law §3020-a hearings, labor arbitration hearings, interest arbitration hearings and labor negotiations. Ms. Baptiste has also represented clients at worker’s compensation hearings, unemployment hearings, Civil Service §75 hearings, mediations and in State and Federal court proceedings.

      Ms. Baptiste has previously worked as an Administrative Law Judge for the NYC Department of Finance (also known as the Parking Violations Bureau).  Ms. Baptiste’s legal experience also includes a documented commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workforce and in society.   She has previously worked as the Chief Diversity Officer and Title IX Coordinator at two colleges. As the Chief Compliance Officer, she was responsible for investigating discrimination and sexual harassment complaints involving students, faculty and staff. 

       Ms. Baptiste maintains a general law practice focusing on Labor and Employment Law, Education Law, Mortgage Foreclosure Defense,  Real Estate Closing, Administration and Probate of Estates, Bankruptcy and Family and Matrimonial Law.  

       Ms. Baptiste received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Boston University and a Juris Doctor from Albany Law School where she was a member of the Albany Law Journal of Science and Technology and the Moot Court Board.  Ms. Baptiste is a member of the New York State Bar Association and Amistad LI Black Bar Association.  Ms. Baptiste provides pro bono services through the Queens Volunteer Lawyers Project. Ms. Baptiste is admitted to practice in the Eastern and Southern District Courts of New York.