Giovanni D. Antonucci Di Cesare

Partner | Employment, Labor, and Benefits

giovanni.antonucci@pierferd.com
+1.412.547.0742 office
Philadelphia
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About
Credentials
Experience
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About

Giovanni Antonucci Di Cesare focuses his practice on labor and employment, immigration, and business matters.

He has significant experience representing businesses, non-profit organizations, and institutions in single-plaintiff, collective action, and class action litigation that relates to labor, employment, and business claims before administrative agencies, courts, appellate courts, and arbitrators. Giovanni has obtained victories for his clients though preliminary, dispositive motions, summary judgment, and trial work. While he fiercely advocates for his clients in proceedings, he recognizes the impact that litigation can have. To that end, Giovanni strategizes with his clients on how they can eliminate or can limit their risk of liability and exposure to litigation.

  • In addition to litigation, Giovanni proactively and collaboratively partners with his clients to ensure their compliance with federal, state, and local laws, represents them during administrative audits and investigations, assists them with internal audits and investigations, and advises them on the implementation of best practices. He, in particular, has developed a deep expertise with respect to ICE I-9 Audits, DOL Wage and Hour, and DOL LCA Audits as well as discrimination, governance, and compliance investigations. As part of his counseling, Giovanni drafts and advises on a wide range of agreements, policies, and protocols for employers, such as executive agreements, handbooks, and labor supply protocols. In the context of labor, he also represents employers in connection with collective bargaining agreements and charges of unfair labor practices.

    Giovanni also complements his practice by representing employers with respect to a variety of employment authorization matters and obtaining various employment-based visas. He collaborates with employers to identify how they can attract, can employ, and can retain foreign talent to meet their business and operational needs. To that end, he secures employment-based non-immigrant (H-1B, TN, L, O, P, R, etc.) and immigrant visas (EB-1 – EB-5) for employers, obtains National Interest Waivers and J-1 Waivers, oversees the PERM Process to completion, and, where necessary, addresses and overcomes Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny. He, furthermore, advocates for employers and beneficiaries before the USCIS, AAO, DOL, CBP, and DOS with respect to immigration matters. Giovanni also counsel employers on the globalization of their workforce and the extraterritorial engagement of employees and contractors in light of the modern, remote labor market.

    As part of his practice, Giovanni also represents and advises businesses and non-profit organizations in connection with their formation, dissolution, and reorganization; governance matters; and commercial transactions.

    Giovanni serves as a professor at Duquense University where he teaches Conflict Resolution.

Practices

  • Employment and Labor

  • Immigration and Naturalization

Admissions

  • Pennsylvania

  • New York

  • Virginia

Education

  • LL.M. in International Commercial and Trade Law, commendation, Nottingham Trent University

  • J.D., International & Comparative Law Certificate, cum laude, University of Pittsburgh School of Law

  • B.A. in Philosophy, Political Science, and Psychology, magna cum laude, Washington & Jefferson College

Languages

  • Italian

  • Spanish

Recognitions

  • Pro Bono Service Honor Roll from the Virginia Access to Justice Commission, 2022, 2023

  • Best Labor and Employment Litigation Attorney, The Best Lawyers in America®, 2023 – 2024, 2026

Experience

  • Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC

Representative Matters

  • Obtained summary judgment in a federal civil rights litigation. Jones v. Trese et al., 2018 WL 4344979 (W.D. Pa. 9/11/18)

  • Obtained summary judgment in a FMLA and ADA discrimination, retaliation, and interference case. Colonna v. UPMC Hamot, 2017 WL 4235937 (W.D. Pa. 9/25/2017)

  • Obtained summary judgment on behalf of the employer in a FMLA retaliation and ADA discrimination and failure to accommodate case. Lavorgna v. Norfolk Southern Corp., 2017 WL 5006430 (W.D. Pa. 10/31/17)

  • Obtained summary judgment in a PAHRC age discrimination case. Martin v. Henry F. Teichmann, Inc., 2015-3329 (4/28/2017)

  • Defended a regional restaurant and catering company against claims of sexual discrimination and retaliation and obtained dismissal of the case

  • Represented a regional pediatric practice in connection with allegations of national origin and religious discrimination and resolved the matter before litigation commenced

  • Defended and advised a regional trucking company in connection with a wage and hour audit by the Department of Labor and reduced its liability

  • Represented a regional holding company in a stock option and breach of contract case against a publically traded company and three national corporations and secured a favorable resolution for his client

  • Represented two regional coal companies in a breach of contract, promissory estoppel, and quantum meriut case and secured payment for his clients

  • Represented a private, charter airline in two separate, but related breach of contract actions and secured judgments on behalf of his client

Publications

Continuing Legal Education Presentations

  • Life after Unemployment: Unemployment Compensation Benefits, F.C.B.A. (2012)

  • From the Classroom to the Courtroom: Trial Tactics for Young Attorneys, F.C.B.A. (2013)

  • Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, California University of Pennsylvania (2017)

  • I-9 Audits and ICE Investigations, Eckert Seamans’ Human Resources Forum (2019)

  • The Changing Landscape of Employment-Based Immigration, Eckert Seamans’ Human Resources Forum (2019)

  • Employment Law Updates for Builders, Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh (2020)

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Law Firm and the Path to Success, Pennsylvania Bar Association (2021)

  • Bostock and Title VII, Eckert Seamans’ DEIB Initiative (2021)

  • History of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Eckert Seamans’ DEIB Initiative (2021)

  • History of the USERRA, Eckert Seamans; DEIB Initiative (2021)

  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in the Legal Profession, Eckert Seamans’ DEIB Initiative (2022)

  • Immigration Law for In-House Counsel: H-1Bs, In-House Connect (2023)

  • Future of Restrictive Covenants, Eckert Seamans’ Human Resources Forum (2023)

  • Fostering Inclusion and Belonging in the Legal Profession, Eckert Seamans’ Institute (2023)

  • Employment-Based Green Cards, In-House Connect (2023)

  • Diversity Programs: Opportunities and Pitfalls, ACBA Employment Law Symposium (2023)

  • Discovery of Online Information, Pennsylvania Bar Institute (2024)

  • Immigration under the new Administration, In-House Connect (2025)

  • Navigating Uncharted Waters under the New Administration (2025)