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Margaret O’Rourke Wood, a member of the Employment Group at Wolff & Samson, practices in the areas of employment and commercial litigation in the state and federal courts of New York and New Jersey. She also represents clients in matters before various administrative agencies, including the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development and the New York Division of Human Rights.

Peggy defends discrimination, harassment and whistleblower claims, wrongful discharge, tort and contract claims, and also has extensive experience in litigating restrictive covenant and trade secret matters.

Her litigation of complex commercial matters involves breach of contract claims and partnership disputes. Some of her representative matters in this area include:

• Obtaining summary judgment on behalf of a client in a matter venued in the District of New Jersey alleging violations of the New Jersey Franchise Practices Act, the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, breach of contract, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty
• Successfully moving to dismiss a complaint alleging promissory estoppel, tortious interference and fraud based upon the plaintiff’s contradictory prior sworn statements
• Successfully representing an executive in an appeal to the Board of Review of the Department of Labor with respect to the denial of unemployment benefits and obtaining a large mediated settlement for the client in connection with a partnership dispute with her former employer in the Superior Court of New Jersey
• Successfully defending clients against discrimination claims brought before the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights

In addition to her litigation practice, Peggy regularly counsels clients on employment law issues, such as Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), wage and hour requirements and separation agreements. In conjunction with her counseling, she develops and drafts employee handbooks to fit her clients’ business needs. She also investigates complaints of harassment and discrimination, and advises clients on conducting such investigations.

Law & Politics, the publisher of “Super Lawyers,” named Peggy to its list of 2009, 2010 and 2011 “New Jersey Rising Stars.”

Peggy is a cum laude graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law and a cum laude graduate of Iona College. She served as law clerk to the Honorable Seymour Margulies of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson County, Law Division.