Iskra M. Bonanno

Iskra Bonanno focuses her practice on counseling and representing public and private sector employers in a wide range of issues related to the workplace, including:

• Developing and implementing effective employment policies, and ensuring compliance with state and federal labor and employment laws.
• Issues relating to leave, including compliance with the ADA and the FMLA.
• EEOC and New York State Division of Human Rights Investigations.
• Defending national and regional employers charged with discrimination and/or harassment on account of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected class status.
• Defending employers faced with breach of contract or wrongful discharge claims.
• Defending employers against individual and collective claims concerning wage and hour matters.
• Advising employers concerning civil rights, immigration law, and labor-management relations.

PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC AFFILIATIONS

• Member, Monroe County Bar Association
• Member, Board of Directors, Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.
• Chair, Lawyers for Learning Committee of the Monroe County Bar Association

HONORS & AWARDS

• Selected by peers for inclusion in 2022 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for Labor and Employment Law - Management
• Recipient, “Up and Coming Attorneys” Award, The Daily Record and Rochester Business Journal’s Legal Excellence Program, 2021
• Selected to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, 2018-2021
• Recipient, 2017 Annette Itkin Volunteer of the Year Award, Willow Domestic Violence Center
• Fredrick K. Cox International Law Center Research Fellow
• Emmerich de Vattel Scholar
• Patrick J. Hergenroeder Trial Tactics Award
• Contributing Editor, Case Western Reserve Law Review, Case Western Reserve University School of Law

NEWS

• Featured, "Extraordinary People: Lawyers for Learning," WROC News 8, March 2, 2017

Press Releases

• Harter Secrest & Emery Stands Out in the 2021 Legal Excellence Awards Program, The Daily Record and Rochester Business Journal, November 9, 2021
• Harter Secrest & Emery Attorneys Named to 2021 Upstate New York Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Lists, August 20, 2021
• Harter Secrest & Emery Attorneys Recognized in 2022 Best Lawyers in America© and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, August 19, 2021
• Harter Secrest & Emery Attorneys Named to 2020 Upstate New York Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Lists, August 25, 2020
• Harter Secrest & Emery Appoints Three Senior Associates, January 8, 2020
• Harter Secrest & Emery Attorneys Named to 2019 Upstate New York Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Lists, August 14, 2019

PUBLICATIONS

• "The SEC’s Whistleblower Program and its Effect on Internal Compliance Programs," 62 Case W. Res. L. Rev. 329 (2011-2012)

PRESENTATIONS

• Guest, “Overcoming Your Trial with Iskra Bonanno,” Success Chasers Podcast, January 19, 2021

• Panelist, "WILL WELLNESS WEDNESDAY'S - Resiliency," Women in Legal Leadership, July 14, 2021

• Presenter, “2021 Legislative, Human Resources and Legal Updates,” The Institute for Human Services, Inc., March 17, 2021

• Presenter, “Implementing Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives and How to Avoid Common Pitfalls,” Harter Secrest & Emery LLP Labor & Employment Law Breakfast Briefing Webinar, February 24, 2021
• Presenter, “Fostering Resilience: Stress, Resilience and Thriving Despite Adversity,” Monroe County Bar Association, December 14, 2020
• Presenter, “Criminal Background Checks: Legal Updates and Best Practices," Harter Secrest & Emery’s Labor and Employment Law Conference, April 26, 2018
• Presenter, “Dogs and Horses at Work, Oh My!" Harter Secrest & Emery’s Labor and Employment Law Conference, April 26, 2018
• Presenter, “Risks Associated with Criminal Conviction Records in Employment” webinar, Harter Secrest & Emery, August 15, 2017
• Presenter, “Risky Business: Considering Criminal Records in Employment,” Harter Secrest & Emery’s Labor and Employment Law Conference, April 5, 2017