Janine Mastellone is an experienced and dedicated advocate who maintains a diverse legal practice, counseling and defending a wide spectrum of private, institutional, municipal and hospitality clients. A large part of her extensive legal experience stems from defending governments and public officials and police liability matters. In addition to her municipal practice, Janine is regularly retained to defend high-exposure general liability claims and provide representation in complex commercial and financial disputes.
Janine increasingly focuses her practice in the hospitality industry representing restaurants, hotels, caterers and other establishments in effectively navigating the complexities of proper licensing and litigating violations relative to capacity, health and fire code.
Prior to joining Wilson Elser, Janine spent four years as an assistant district attorney in the Orange County District Attorney’s Office in New York, where she was the domestic violence coordinator in the Violent Felony Unit. Through this experience, she honed her investigation and communication skills. Janine possesses an innate ability to identify the needs of her clients and communicate them effectively throughout the litigation process.
Areas of Focus
Municipal & Employment
A former prosecutor, Janine defends municipalities, public officials, police and fire departments, police officers and firefighters in a wide range of claims, including violations of civil rights, excessive force and unlawful imprisonment. She often is retained to represent these entities on various employment and labor law matters, including claims of discrimination and retaliation.
Hospitality
Janine has represented numerous restaurants, hotels, caterers and other food and beverage establishments in an array of operational concerns that impact hospitality organizations. She is adept at successfully navigating the challenges of dealing with city agencies regarding licensure, health inspections, and fire and other administrative code violations. Janine provides assistance in developing a structured approach for defending entities in administrative hearings and delivers practical strategies to her clients to proactively avoid future violations and unwanted publicity. She works collaboratively with hospitality management to help ensure her clients remain in compliance with state and local administrative codes and laws, health department codes and environmental control laws, among others.
Medical Malpractice
In the medical malpractice area, Janine defends various claims brought against licensed and certified health care professionals, including occupational and physical therapists, optometrists, dialysis and radiology centers, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and adult care homes.