Craig W. Snethen

Craig Snethen is a Partner in the Pittsburgh office and a member of the Employment Law group. Craig’s practice comprises representing corporate clients before government agencies in both federal and state courts, defending employers in cases involving, without limitation, sex, age, disability and race discrimination, wrongful discharge, the FLSA and the FMLA. His extensive administrative experience has taken him before the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the New York Division of Human Rights, the West Virginia Human Rights Commission and the National Labor Relations Board.

In addition to litigation-oriented work, Craig provides advice and counseling to management clients on a wide array of employment law issues. Craig has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers from 2011-2014.

Prior to joining GRSM, Craig was a Shareholder in the Pittsburgh office of Jackson Lewis P.C.

Admissions

• Pennsylvania
• New York
• West Virginia
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

Memberships

• American Bar Association
• State Bar of New York
• State Bar of Pennsylvania
• Society for Human Resource Management

Community Involvement

• Member, Board of Directors, International Institute of Erie, Pennsylvania
• Member, Board of Directors, Chautauqua County Humane Society
• Member, Board of Trustees, West Portland Baptist Church

• Obtained defense verdict on behalf of a large auto dealership, following a month long jury trial, in a wrongful termination case involving allegations of whistleblower retaliation and race discrimination.
• Successfully defended national building supply and distribution company in gender discrimination claim under in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, obtaining dismissal of the matter in its entirety through summary judgment.
• Successfully defended national electric supply and distribution company in age and disability discrimination claims under in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, obtaining dismissal of the matter in its entirety through summary judgment.
• Successfully defended multi-national defense contractor in age discrimination claim in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, obtaining dismissal of the matter in its entirety through summary judgment.
• Successfully defended national provider of healthcare services in FMLA interference and retaliation claims in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, obtaining dismissal of the matter in its entirety through summary judgment.
• Successfully defended national manufacturer of residential and industrial overhead doors in disability claim in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, obtaining dismissal of the matter in its entirety through summary judgment.
• Successfully obtained preliminary injunction for a mid-sized regional financial institution in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania enforcing a non-compete and non-solicitation agreement against former investment advisor.
• Successfully obtained favorable resolution of dozens of matters through mediation and other avenues of alternative dispute resolution.
• Successfully obtained “no-cause” findings in dozens of charges filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the West Virginia Human Rights Commission.
• Successfully defended claims for unemployment compensation throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Education

J.D., magna cum laude, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 2000

• University of Pittsburgh Journal of Law and Commerce, Managing Editor
• Order of the Coif

B.S., Industrial Management, Carnegie Mellon University, 1997

• Phi Kappa Phi
• Beta Gamma Sigma 

Honors

Best Lawyers in America® distinction in Employment Law - Management (2018-2024)

AV-Preeminent Rated Lawyer, Martindale-Hubbell

Pennsylvania Rising Stars® in the field of Employment Law, 2011-2015