Peter D. Valenzano

Top rated Employment Litigation attorney in Red Bank, New Jersey

McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C.
Peter D. Valenzano
McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C.

Practice areas: Employment Litigation, Employment & Labor, Civil Litigation

Licensed in New Jersey since: 2010

Education: Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2026 Selected to Rising Stars: 2019 - 2020
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McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C.

54 Shrewsbury Avenue
Red Bank, NJ 07701 Phone: 732-842-6500 Email: Peter D. Valenzano Visit website
Details

Peter Valenzano is a partner at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C.  Mr. Valenzano’s primary areas of practice are employment law and civil litigation.  Mr. Valenzano actively litigates in all areas of employment law, including but not limited to matters involving discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, as well as non-compete, whistleblower, wage and hour, and qui tam actions.

As an employment attorney, Mr. Valenzano has experience litigating on behalf of both employees and employers. As a member and board member of the National Employment Lawyer's Association, Mr. Valenzano believes everyone deserves a voice – especially those who have unfairly lost their job due to the insidious and shameful discrimination of their employer. Mr. Valenzano became an employment lawyer so that he could speak up for and defend workers who are unable to defend themselves against the disproportionate power of their employer.

Throughout his career, Mr. Valenzano has successfully litigated against international corporations, counties and municipalities, the State of New Jersey and the Federal Government. In addition, Mr. Valenzano routinely represents public employees such as teachers, police officers, and corrections officers when they are being unjustly brought up on phony disciplinary charges. Mr. Valenzano does not shy away from complex litigation matters. In addition to litigating employment discrimination and whistleblower matters, Mr. Valenzano has successfully litigated personal injury matters, consumer fraud matters, shareholder disputes, partnership disputes, and the enforceability of restrictive covenants.

Recently, Mr. Valenzano successfully argued before the New Jersey Appellate Division in Roman v. Bergen Logistics, 456 NJ Super. 157, where the court held that an arbitration agreement’s bar of punitive damage claims under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”) was unenforceable because it violates the public policy of “eradicating the cancer of discrimination” embodied in the LAD. (Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.)

Beyond his passion for litigation, Mr. Valenzano has considerable experience representing small businesses, partnerships, and sole proprietors in transactional work, such as preparing employment agreements, employee handbooks, operating agreements, shareholder’s agreements, partnership agreements, stockholder agreements, and by-laws. Mr. Valenzano has also successfully negotiated several sales, mergers, and acquisitions on behalf of small and mid-size businesses within the State of New Jersey.

Mr. Valenzano graduated from Rutgers University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Sociology. Before embarking on his legal career, Mr. Valenzano worked for United Cerebral Palsy as a Medicaid Service Coordinator providing access to social services to families caring for loved ones with disabilities and special health care needs in the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn, Bronx and Manhattan. After several years working for United Cerebral Palsy, Mr. Valenzano attended Touro Law Center in Long Island, New York where he earned his Juris Doctor Degree. Mr. Valenzano served as President of the Touro Law Center Student Bar Association from 2009-2010. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Valenzano was awarded the Excellence in Contribution to the Growth of the Law Center Award by the administration and faculty of Touro Law Center. Additionally, Mr. Valenzano served as the notes and comments editor of the Touro Law Center International Law Review and received an award in 2009 for Academic Excellence in the Study of International Human Rights.

First Admitted: 2010, New Jersey

Professional Webpage: https://www.redbanklegal.com/team/peter-d-valenzano/

Bar / Professional Activity

  • Board member of the National Employment Lawyer's Association.  Term of 2015-2017. , 2015
  • Sydney Reitman Inn Of Court. Pupil. Have been involved since 2015., 2025
  • SDNY Moot Court Competition - Juror. , 2018

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

  • First Chair arbitration hearing of Boston v. Chipotle (claimant was successful, award is confidential) (2025) , 2025
  • First chair arbitration hearing of claimant Katherine Gonzalez v. Doherty Enterprises. , 2025
  • Part of the trial team in McCabe v. Monroe BOE, MID-2756-17 resulting in a $500,000 jury award.   (2023) , 2023
  • Part of the trial team in Levy v. Costco, MON-L-3039-19. (2022) , 2022
  • Office of Administrative Law Trial of Jermaine Curry, OAL DKT NO. 17582-52 (2018) , 2018

Representative Clients

  • Represent Maria Hadley, former employee of Trump National Golf Club, in a claim against Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster. , 2026
  • Represent Justine Sacks, the former general manager of Trump National Golf Club in Bedminister NJ in a CEPA/NJLAD claim. , 2025
  • Currently represent a former employee of Blume Forte alleging pregnancy discrimination. https://www.law360.com/articles/2312306, 2025
  • Currently represent a former employee of celebrity chef, David Burke, adverse to him and his company Red Horse alleging sexual harassment. The case has garnered significant press. https://www.app.com/story/news/local/monmouth-county/2025/01/03/red-horse-by-david-burke-general-manager-sexually-harassed/77323659007/, 2025
  • Represented the former COO of Garces Grabler LeBroq in a claim alleging sexual harassment and gender discrimination against the law firm. https://www.law360.com/employment/articles/2300652/nj-law-firm-ex-coo-settle-sexual-harassment-bias-suit, 2025
  • Represented famous musician Bob Marley's son, Rohan Marley, in a claim filed against him alleging sexual harassment. , 2024
  • Represent a former employee of Cannabis Company "Verano" alleging sexual harassment. https://www.redbanklegal.com/in-the-news/former-employee-of-cannabis-operator-verano-alleges-sexual-harassment-and-gender-discrimination/, 2023
  • Currently represent a NJ Corrections Officer adverse the Hudson County Department of Corrections alleging whistleblower retaliation. https://www.redbanklegal.com/in-the-news/hudson-county-corrections-officer-alleges-whistleblower-retaliation-after-lodging-complaint-regarding-unnecessary-use-of-force-against-an-inmate/, 2023
  • Currently represent a former employee of the American Dream mall alleging whistleblower retaliation stemming from a shooting at the mall that was improperly handled by security. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/2023/02/08/american-dream-mall-shooting-former-employee-files-lawsuit/69880241007/, 2023
  • Represented two former employees of a well-known celebrity in a sexual harassment claim. , 2023
  • Represented a former employee of the Stafford Township Public School District adverse to the Superintendent, George Chidiac, alleging sexual harassment. , 2021
  • Represented a group of 10 plaintiffs against the management of Motor Vehicle Assurance alleging racial discrimination and whistleblower retaliation. https://nypost.com/2020/07/15/ceo-at-racist-nj-company-photographed-in-hitler-costume/, 2020
  • Represented a former employee of the American Dental Center alleging whistleblower retaliation. https://nypost.com/2020/04/03/new-jersey-dental-worker-claims-boss-did-shots-ate-pot-brownies-on-the-job/, 2020
  • Represented a former employee of Recovery Centers in America against the CEO alleging sexual harassment. https://nypost.com/2020/04/15/addiction-clinic-ceo-sexually-assaulted-alcoholic-worker-suit-says/, 2020
  • Represented a former EMT adverse to the former chief of the Franklin township fire department alleging sexual harassment. https://nypost.com/2020/12/02/nj-fire-chief-sexually-harassed-teen-volunteer-lawsuit/, 2020
  • Represented an employee of a Pizzeria who was subjected to an offensive and anti-semitic tirade. https://abc7ny.com/eatontown-pizzeria-owner-anti-semitic-nj-pizza-anit-semitism-tirade/5852941/, 2020
  • Represented a former pharmaceutical representative against her former employer, Novo Nordisk. , 2016
  • Represented a class of misclassified workers against Lowes. https://www.newjerseyemploymentattorneysblog.com/lowes-hit-with-worker-classification-class-action-in-nj/, 2016

Transactions

  • Represented buyers in the purchase of a business, New Jupiter Media, and assisted them in navigating complex issues involving small business loans. , 2020
  • Negotiated the separation of Carol Wolfe, wife of former New Jersey Assemblyman David Wolfe, from the company she founded called Homes Now, a non-profit that constructed over 200 affordable housing units.  It was a complex negotiation that took nearly a half year to resolve. , 2018

Special Licenses / Certifications

  • Third Circuit Court of Appeals. , 2025
  • Eastern District of New York. , 2011
  • Southern District of NY, 2011

Pro bono / Community Service

  • Cranford Jaycees. Community service projects for the local community in hometown. , 2023

Educational Background

  • Graduated from Touro Law Center. , 2007-2010
  • Rutgers University. , 2000-2004

Other Outstanding Achievements

  • Successfully defeated an Order To Show Cause to seal a complaint in a an egregious sexual harassment claim, Melissa Krupinski v. Maxwell, Tassini and Gardner. In same hearing defeated two motions to dismiss, successfully quashed several subpoenas, and got claims for defamation, abuse of process, fraud, and breach of duty of loyalty successfully dismissed ., 2026
  • Appellate Division Victory in Rivera Santana v. CJF, et al consolidated with McDermott v. Guaranteed Rate. 2025 N.J. Super. LEXIS 79.  Reversing trial court's order in a case of first impression.  Where plaintiffs McDermott and Rivera-Santana each alleged viable sexual harassment claims along with other employment-related claims, the court held that the EFAA barred arbitration of all claims in both cases, not just the sexual harassment claims themselves., 2026
  • Appellate Division victory in Hussain v. Allies. Reversing dismissal of client's CEPA claim, DOCKET NO. A-1532-23 (2025), 2025
  • Successful Motion To Dismiss Breach of Contract claim in 1:25-cv-01335-JLR Liberty Harbor Coffee Inc. et al v. Moss et al., 2025
  • Defeated Motion to Compel Arbitration in the Matter of Jamal Harmon v. Highlight Motor Freight, et al, Docket No. MER-L-406-25., 2025
  • Defeated Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment in Transgender Discrimination Claim, CAM-L-001200-23., 2025
  • Defeated Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment in the matter of Osterhoudt v. ESS, et al., MID-L-006313-22, 2025
  • Defeated Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Defendants in the matter of Jill Kovalsky v. Paulus Sokolowski and Sartor, LLC, MON-L-1225-22, 2025
  • Defeated Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment in the matter of Minguito Viera v. Agilex, MID-L-004608-22. , 2025
  • Defeated Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment in Iesha Loyal v. Atlantic Health System, et al., ESX-L-005245-21., 2024
  • Defeated Defendants' Motion to Compel Arbitration in the matter of Ashaki Thomas v. Quest Diagnostics, HUD-L-001861-23., 2024
  • Defeated Motion for Summary Judgment in Gregory Pollock v. 555 Roselle Meat & Produce, Inc. Docket No. UNN-L-4345-21, 2024
  • Defeated Defendants Motion to Compel Arbitration in Wayne Chambers v. McWayne Ductile, et al., 3:23-cv-01054-PGS-RLS, 2023
  • Defeated Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment in Carly Suchecki v. Howell Animal Hospital LLC, Docket No. MON-L-1666-21., 2023
  • Defeated Summary Judgment in the matter of Michael Yawn v. Interactive Video Productions LLC, Docket No. MON-L-1367-21 , 2023
  • Defeated Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment in the matter of Justin Pierre vs. Domino's Pizza LLC, S; AAA Case No. 01-20-0014-9263, 2022
  • Appellate Division Victory in Tevin Welcome v. Huffmaster - February 08, 2022. (Holding Defendants waived their right to enforce arbitration clause of employment application) , 2022
  • Defeated Summary Judgment in the matter of Irwin Wayne Levy  vs. Costco Wholesale Corporation, Z; Docket No. MON-L-3039-19, 2022
  • Defeated Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment in the matter of Zavadsky - Malouf Buick - GMC, Inc.,  MID-L-8113-19, 2022
  • Defeated Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment in the matter of Karina Janco v. Bay Ridge Automotive Management Corp., ARB - Case No. 01-20-0000-4123-2.  , 2022
  • Defeated Defendants Motion to Compel Arbitration in the matter of Stefransky Lemoine v. Open Road, et al., BER-L-952-22, 2022
  • Defeated Defendants' Motion to Compel Arbitration in Justine Kirchgessner v. JJRCH a/k/a/ Bum Rogers, OCN-L-13-21, 2021
  • Appellate Division victory in Gathman v. Care One - December 15, 2021 (holding it was error to dismiss Plaintiff's CEPA claim.) , 2021
  • Defeated Defendants Motion to Compel Arbitration in the matter of Suifen Lyu v. Rocket Pharmaceuticals, MID-L-7400-21, 2021
  • Appellate Division victory in Roman v. Bergen Logistics - August 23, 2018 (456 N.J. Super. 157) (published opinion - holding prohibition on punitive damages in an arbitration agreement is violative of public policy and unenforceable).   , 2018

Firm News (Newsletters)

  • Christian V. McOmberPeter D. Valenzano, and Anna F. Esposito represent Justine Sacks in alleging entrenched gender discrimination, pervasive harassment, and retaliation at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. Hired as Clubhouse Manager in January 2023, Ms. Sacks alleges she entered a workplace hostile to women in leadership, where senior male managers undermined her authority, excluded her from meetings, reassigned her responsibilities to men, and subjected her to sexist remarks and stereotypes—culminating in a demotion and termination. Ms. Sacks also alleges she was retaliated against for doing her job: reporting serious health and safety violations and refusing to ignore unlawful practices. According to the complaint, management dismissed her concerns, labeled her “too by the book,” discouraged reporting to Human Resources, and shut her out of professional opportunities routinely afforded to male colleagues. The Complaint further alleges a culture openly hostile to women, including differential treatment and retaliation against those who spoke up. After escalating her complaints to senior Human Resources and corporate counsel, Defendants allegedly imposed a pretextual performance plan, demoted Ms. Sacks under the guise of an “opportunity,” and terminated her on May 9, 2025, mere days after a failed Department of Health inspection for issues she had long reported. This lawsuit seeks to expose unlawful conduct and obtain redress under NJLAD and CEPA for discrimination, a hostile work environment, and retaliation against a whistleblower who refused to stay silent., Former Trump National Manager Alleges Gender Discrimination and Retaliation After Reporting Safety Violations.
  • After over two decades of working together, as alleged in the Complaint, Defendant Chris Jewell’s behavior toward our client turned erratic and inappropriate. Our client fell victim to Defendant Jewell’s drunken tirades, gender-based slurs, and hypersexual comments, both in and out of the workplace. Defendant Jewell ultimately demoted our client out of the blue, placing her on the same level as her male subordinates. Our client rightfully filed an HR complaint regarding Defendant Jewell’s actions, and an internal investigation was conducted. As alleged in the Complaint, Defendant Wells Fargo deemed our client’s allegations “unsubstantiated” and closed the investigation. As alleged in the Complaint, in the midst of the investigation, Defendant Jewell terminated our client in a swift act of unlawful retaliation., Long Time Financial Broker Files Suit Against Wells Fargo for Gender Discrimination and Retaliation
  • Partner Peter D. Valenzano and Associate Lauren M. Hill successfully argued before the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division on behalf of Plaintiff Tevin Welcome, overturning the lower court’s decision compelling arbitration of his discrimination and whistleblower retaliation claims., Team Sinks Defendants Delayed Bid To Enforce Arbitration, Labor And Employment
  •   On May 23, 2023, MML trial team lawyers R. Armen McOmber, Esq., Matthew A. Luber, Esq., Peter D. Valenzano, Esq. and Austin B. Tobin, Esq. secured a $500,000 Jury Verdict in Middlesex County Superior Court.  You can read more about the victory here.The lawsuit was originally filed over six years ago on behalf of Plaintiffs, Hugh McCabe and his mother, Suzanne McCabe. Hugh, a former student in Monroe Township Public Schools, was subjected to homophobic slurs and anti-gay animus by another Monroe Township High School Student, which included a November 25, 2015 assault in the boy’s locker room that caused Hugh significant physical injuries. Hugh was also bullied based on the perception that he is gay and due to his membership in the school’s Gay Straight Alliance. Following a two-week trial, the jury concluded that Hugh was subjected to years of discrimination on account of his perceived sexual orientation in violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“NJLAD”). The jury further concluded that the school was aware of the harassment, and that it was negligent by failing to prevent, correct, or remediate the discrimination The jury awarded Hugh $400,000 in emotional distress damages and an additional $100,000 in damages for his physical injuries stemming from the assault. On November 30, 2023, the same Court awarded counsel fees of $804,018.42, which included a 33% enhancement amounting to $199,493.29. The total judgment against the Defendant School District amounts to $1,397,487.  The fee award recognizes the challenge and risk of bringing discrimination claims. The Honorable Alberto Rivas, J.S.C. noted MML’s commitment to the NJLAD’s mission: “Theory of liability in this case differed from a typical NJLAD employment matter, focusing on an issue related to perceived sexual orientation, thereby advancing and vindicating one of the NJLAD’s core objectives.”  Judge Rivas noted that the case was litigated for seven years, involved significant motion and deposition practice, and that district “maintained an inflexible settlement posture throughout in proceedings that culminated in a multi-week jury trial.” The fee award can be viewed here, After $500,000 Verdict, Trial Team Awarded Additional $800,000, Labor And Employment & Personal Injury
  • Peter D. Valenzano represents Lisa Rodriguez and Leslie Bethel in a whistleblower retaliation lawsuit against Dolce & Gabbana Beauty USA, Inc. (“Dolce & Gabbana”). Ms. Rodriguez and Ms. Bethel were Resident Makeup Artists contracted by Dolce & Gabbana to perform services at Saks NYC, who, at all times, performed their jobs competently. Despite their exceptional performance and hopes of long-term gainful employment, Ms. Rodriguez and Ms. Bethel claim in their complaint that they found themselves subject to intolerable retaliation after blowing the whistle on Dolce & Gabbana’s violations of New York’s wage laws. More specifically, the complaint alleges that throughout their 2024-2025 employment, Dolce & Gabbana failed to pay either woman on time. According to their employment contracts, both Ms. Rodriguez and Ms. Bethel were to be paid their hourly consulting fees plus commission biweekly. The pay discrepancies began immediately, and the women did not receive their first paycheck until six weeks after they began working. The inconsistencies continued for months, and the extended periods in which Dolce & Gabbana failed to pay the women led to immense emotional and financial strain. Ms. Rodriguez and Ms. Bethel claim that they reported the violations and discrepancies to management, but their concerns were dismissed, not investigated, and never addressed. Eventually, Dolce & Gabbana’s actions forced Ms. Bethel to resign. Ms. Rodriguez continued to report violations until the end of her year-long contract, which Dolce & Gabbana refused to renew. According to Dolce & Gabbana, Ms. Rodriguez had issues with “staying in her own lane.” On June 2, 2025, Ms. Rodriguez and Ms. Bethel filed a complaint in New York County Supreme Court against Dolce & Gabbana and other named defendants. “As alleged in the complaint, both women faced severe retaliation for speaking out,” said attorney Peter D. Valenzano. “They tried to address Dolce & Gabbana’s unlawful actions and paid the price. We stand with them in holding the company accountable for its clear violations of New York law.” – Peter D. Valenzano, Esq., Former Dolce & Gabbana Resident Makeup Artists Allege Violation of New York Labor Laws and Whistleblower Retaliation, Employment
  • Peter Valenzano Represents Female Sexually Harassed By School Superintendent
  • Armen McOmber, Peter Valenzano, & Nick Carlson Represent Client Nicholas Bogan In a Anti-Semitic Lawsuit Against Maurizio’s Pizzeria in Eatontown, NJ
  • Christian V. McOmber and Peter D. Valenzano Represent Applebees Employee Who Stood Up To Racism, Labor And Employment
  • Partners Christian V. McOmber and Peter D. Valenzano represent Nadia Zevallos in a whistleblower retaliation claim filed against Garden State Dental in Union, New Jersey. The complaint alleges that Ms. Zevallos was subject to disparate treatment and retaliation, after objecting to widespread alcohol and drug abuse in the workplace.  In retaliation for objecting to the danger this substance abuse posed to patients and staff, and as a result of Defendant Garden State Dentals failure to maintain a safe work environment free from harassment and retaliation, the Plaintiff was constructively terminated from her employment., Partners Christian V. McOmber and Peter D. Valenzano represent Nadia Zevallos in a whistleblower retaliation claim filed against Garden State Dental in Union, New Jersey., Labor And Employment

Honors

  • Super Lawyer (2026) , Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2026
  • Rising Star - Super Lawyer (2020), Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2020
  • Rising Star - Super Lawyer (2019) , Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2019

Office location for Peter D. Valenzano

54 Shrewsbury Avenue
Red Bank, NJ 07701

Selections

1 Year Super Lawyers
2 Years Rising Stars
  • Super Lawyers: 2026
  • Rising Stars: 2019 - 2020

Attorney resources for Peter D. Valenzano

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