James R. O'Connor - New York Lawyer Profile

James R. O’Connor, Esq. is an associate specializing in labor and employment law at Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Buffalo office. His area of focus includes representing clients in federal and private sector employment law cases, encompassing matters related to laws such as USERRA, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, NLRA, New York Labor Law, New York Executive Law, and Qui Tam claims.

Before joining Tully Rinckey PLLC, James worked as a Court Assistant at the New York State Unified Court System in Olean, N.Y. In this role, he provided support to Support Magistrate Schavon Morgan, managed the support calendar, and processed custody and support petitions. James also drafted legal orders such as support, protection, and temporary custody orders.

Previously, James served as an attorney at Morris Duffy Alonso & Faley in New York, N.Y., where he successfully handled cases defending municipalities against claims of civil rights violations and negligence. His responsibilities included conducting depositions, attending pretrial appearances and hearings, drafting pleadings, demands, motions, and engaging in settlement discussions. James also gained experience as a volunteer confidential law clerk for Justice Eugene M. Fahey of the New York State Court of Appeals and Judge William M. Skretny of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

James graduated summa cum laude from the University of Detroit Mercy and earned his law degree from Hofstra University Maurice A. Deane School of Law. While at Hofstra, he served as a staff member and the Senior Notes and Comments Editor for the Hofstra Law Review.