Office of the Attorney General – Employment Rights Section – Hartford, CT

AG Employment Rights Department

The Employment Rights Section of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General is a specialized legal division located within the State Office Building. This department is responsible for representing the State of Connecticut in a wide array of employment-related legal matters. Working at the intersection of labor law and government administration, the section ensures that state agencies comply with employment statutes while defending the state’s interests in litigation.

Legal Functions and Services

The attorneys and staff in this department handle complex legal issues involving state workforce management:

• Defense Litigation: Defending state agencies and officials against lawsuits involving claims of discrimination, wrongful termination, and retaliation filed in state and federal courts.
• Human Rights Complaints: Representing the state in proceedings before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
• Whistleblower Protection: defending against claims of retaliation under the state’s whistleblower statutes.
• Workers’ Compensation: Managing the defense of the state in workers’ compensation claims to ensure proper adjudication of benefits for injured state employees.
• Labor Relations: Providing legal counsel to the Office of Labor Relations regarding collective bargaining and contract interpretation.

Visiting the Department

As a working legal office within a secure government building, access is generally restricted to official business:

• Security: Visitors to 165 Capitol Avenue must pass through airport-style security screening, including metal detectors.
• Appointments: Visits are typically by appointment only, usually for depositions, hearings, or scheduled meetings with legal counsel.
• Legal Advice: Please note that this office represents the State of Connecticut and cannot provide private legal advice to individual citizens or employees.