Giovanni D. Antonucci Di Cesare

Partner | Litigation

About

Giovanni D. Antonucci Di Cesare focuses his practice on labor and employment and business matters. He has significant experience representing clients in court proceedings and before administrative agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC), the Department of Labor (DOL), the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), and the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review (UCBR).

  • In addition to litigation, Giovanni counsels 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 also complements his practice by representing employers with respect to a variety of employment authorization matters and obtaining various employment-based visas, such as H-1Bs, Ls, Os, and Ps.

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

    Giovanni serves as a private mediator and as an Instructor in the Professional Studies Department at California University of Pennsylvania. He is also the Lead Inclusion Ambassador for the firm’s Inclusion team.

Practices

  • Appellate

  • Employment and Labor

  • Immigration and Naturalization

Admissions

  • Pennsylvania

  • New York

  • Virginia

  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Education

  • L.L.M., commendation, Nottingham Trent University, 2018

  • J.D., cum laude, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 2009; Certificate of International & Comparative Law

  • B.A., magna cum laude, Washington & Jefferson College, 2005

Languages

  • Italian

  • Spanish

Professional Affiliations

  • Pennsylvania Bar Association

Community Involvement

  • La Scuola d’Italia Galileo Galilei, President of the Board

Awards and Recognition

  • Selected for inclusion as The Best Lawyers in America 2024 and 2025 for Litigation – Labor and Employment

  • Awarded the 2022 Pro Bono Service Honor Roll Certificate of Appreciation from The Virginia Access to Justice Commission

  • CILE Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh

  • Nordenberg Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh

  • Public Interest Fellowship, K&L Gates

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

Speaking Engagements

  • “Immigration Law for In-House Counsel: What to Expect Under the Trump Administration and How to Prepare,” co-presenter, In-House Connect Corporate Immigration Law Series, February 12, 2025.

  • “Immigration Law for In-House Counsel,” webinar presenter for In-House Connect CLE program, November 7, 2023.

  • “Pitt Law Black Alumni Committee Networking Event,” panel discussion moderator, September 25, 2021.

  • “Employment Law Updates for Builders,” co-presented for the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, March 2020.

  • “Sexual Harassment,” South Pointe, 2017.

  • “From the Classroom to the Courtroom: Trial Tactics for Young Attorneys,” Uniontown, Pennsylvania, 2013.

  • “Life after Unemployment: Unemployment Compensation Benefits,” Uniontown, Pennsylvania, 2012.

  • “Early Intervention Services in Public Education,” Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2008.