Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Gigio K. Ninan
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505 8th Avenue, Suite 1801
New York, New York 10018 - (212) 594-6657 Ext. 215
- Connect with me
Overview And Experience
Gigio K. Ninan is the founder of Shankar Ninan & Co., a boutique law firm based in New York City with a satellite presence in New Jersey. He has over a decade of legal experience in the areas of business and employment counseling and litigation in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Additionally, Mr. Ninan serves as outside General Counsel to numerous businesses where he uses his talent for structuring legal operations to turn adversity into opportunity by fulfilling corporate objectives and resolving complex employment and labor law challenges.
Mr. Ninan advises executives on the full gamut of workplace policies, procedures, and practices. Among his specialties are preparing employment agreements, noncompete and confidentiality agreements, separation agreements, and advising on reductions in force. In the area of employment litigation, Mr. Ninan litigates restrictive covenants (defense and enforcement) and wage and hour claims, both in New York and New Jersey.
Mr. Ninan serves clients in a wide variety of industries, including but not limited to:
- Physician Practice Groups
- Physical Therapies
- Pharmacies
- Staffing Companies
- Technology Companies
- SaaS Providers
- Consumer Goods
- Social Media Marketing
- E-Commerce
- Restaurants
Philosophy and Paying It Forward:
Mr. Ninan leads with a people-first approach. He is passionate about paying it forward and sharing his expertise with future leaders at Rutgers Law, Binghamton University, and the South Asian Bar Association. He strives to instill the importance of relationship-building to their success and growth in life and in law. Mr. Ninan’s hard work, attention to detail, energy, and drive are traits he would like to instill in the next generation of attorneys.
After graduating cum laude from Binghamton University in 2008, Mr. Ninan earned his law degree from Rutgers University in 2011, where he served on the Journal of Law and Religion. Gigio went on to clerk for the Honorable Stephen M. Holden, Ph.D., J.S.C., and worked at several associate roles in New York and New Jersey in large national law firms where he has been recognized for his leadership abilities and accomplishments. By the age of 29, Mr. Ninan founded Shankar Ninan & Co., a boutique midtown Manhattan law firm. He is committed to helping guide future lawyers from his alma mater Rutgers Law School and Binghamton University, as well as through several bar associations.
Representative Matters
- Obtained an award before a single-arbitrator in a 3-day arbitration trial, which was ultimately confirmed by the Superior Court of New Jersey against Janoris Jenkins, a former NFL Giants starting cornerback in a case involving a breach of contract.
- Successfully litigated and subsequently engaged in 4-day trial before the American Arbitration Association where my client, a quadruple board certified interventional cardiologist was sued for an alleged violation of his restrictive covenant related to three employees. While the Arbitrator found a solicitation for one of the three employees, the Arbitrator denied the employer’s request for nearly $1.1 million in damages based on defense presented.
- Successfully litigated and favorably settled a breach of contract matter for a European-headquartered client in New York County. Dealt with complex issues arising under international law and electronic discovery.
- Represented an Italian-based high-end furniture company with distribution in the U.S. in matters including general counseling, commercial contracting, and employment. Defended and resolved ADA web accessibility class-action lawsuit filed in SDNY.
- Counseled corporations and physician practice groups on employment compliance including preparation and review of employment contracts, policies and procedures, and terminations.
- Represented several companies, including most recently a construction company and a pharmacy, in negotiating lease agreements in excess of 30,000 square feet, with requirements for build-outs, free rent, triple net provisions and yearly increases.
- Represented New Jersey-based company in a lawsuit against its business broker-dealer in New York County during the purchase of a Manhattan liquor store in the conversion of an escrow deposit with a favorable settlement.
- Represented companies related to software development, licensing and litigation.
- Represented several companies including a New Jersey funeral home, pharmacies, restaurants, online internet companies, and a pharmaceutical distribution company in the purchase and/or sale of their business.
- Counseled several New Jersey physician practice groups in related to hiring, retention and terminations.
- Represented companies before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security related to immigration investigations and I-9 audits.
Bar and Court Admissions
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Court Appointment
Professional Membership
- New Jersey State Bar Association
- South Asian Bar Association of North America
- South Asian Bar Association of New York
- South Asian Bar Association of New Jersey
- Asian American Bar Association of New York
- ITServe Alliance, NJ Regional Sponsor
In The Media
Education and Background
- J.D., Rutgers University School of Law
- Associate Editor of the Nuremberg Project, Rutgers Journal of Law and Religion
- B.A., cum laude, State University of New York at Binghamton
Awards*
- 2024 Rising Star, South Asian Bar Association of North America
- 2024 Super Lawyers Rising Star Award
- 2023 Super Lawyers Rising Star Award
- Rutgers Law School Student Affinity Gala: Distinguished MAPs Lawyer Award
- 2022 SuperLawyers Rising Star Award
- 2021 Sole Recipient of the Distinguished Recent Graduate Award, Rutgers School of Law-Camden Alumni Association.
- 2021 SuperLawyers Rising Star Award
- 2020 SuperLawyers Rising Star Award
- 2019 Sole Recipient of the Lois B. DeFleur Distinguished Alumnus Award, the State University of New York at Binghamton Alumni Association.
- 2018, SuperLawyers Rising Stars Award.
- 2017, SuperLawyers Rising Star Award.
- 2017, New Leader of the Bar Award (formerly, the "40 under 40"), New Jersey Law Journal.
- 2016, SuperLawyers Rising Star Award.
* No aspect of this or any advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or the New York State Court of Appeals.
Leadership
New Jersey Leadership Academy - NJSBA
- Selected to 2024-25 Leadership Academy Fellow Class
Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy (CBLA)
- Selected to 2024 Leadership Academy Class
- CBLA is a Joint initiative of the American Bar Association (ABA), its Commissions on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession and Disability Rights, the Hispanic National Bar Association, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, the National LGBT Bar Association, the National Native American Bar Association and the South Asian Bar Association of North America.
Rutgers Law School Dean's Search Committee
- Appointed as 1 of 14 to the search committee that selects the next Dean of Rutgers Law School (2022-23)
New Jersey State Bar Association
- Appointed to Diversity and Inclusion Committee, 2022-24 term
Asian American Bar Association of New York
- Board of Director, 2022-24 term, re-elected, 2024-26 term.
South Asian Bar Association of New Jersey
- Executive Vice-President (2023); Trustee/Regional Representative (2022)
Rutgers University Alumni Association
- Board of Director, 2019-2022
- 1 of 18 selected for a University-wide leadership selection
- Represent the interests of 500,000+ Alumni
- Diversity and Inclusion and Philanthrophy committees
Rutgers Law School – Camden Alumni Association
- Chancellor, 2021-2023
- First Vice-Chancellor, 2019-2021
- Board of Trustee, 2017 to Present
South Asian Bar Association of North America
- Appointed Section Chair, Solo/Small Firm for the 2021-22; 2022-23; 2024-25 terms
South Asian Bar Association of New York
- Vice President of Private Sector and In-House Lawyers; Head of Private Sector Steering Committee, 2019-2020
- Vice President of Young Lawyers and Fellowship Program; Chair of the Young Lawyers Division, 2018-2019
Publications
- Gigio K. Ninan, et al., The Blue Eraser: New Jersey’s Proposed Move Against Restrictive Covenants, 342 N.J. Lawyer, 34 (2023).
- Gigio Ninan, An Employer's Guide To Worksite Investigations And I-9 Audits, Forbes Sep 27, 2018
- Gigio Ninan, Should You Form An LLC Or An S-Corp, And What’s The Difference? Forbes May 29, 2018
- Gigio K. Ninan, Ready to Sign a Commercial Lease: Here are Five Things to Consider, Forbes.com (February 2018).
- Gigio K. Ninan, Why Employers May Want to Identify Candidates Now to Beat the H-1b Lottery Cap, Forbes.com (January 2018).
- Gigio K. Ninan, Does your Start Up Need a Lawyer Yet? Three Things to Consider, Forbes.com (February 2018).
- Gigio K. Ninan Et al., Malpractice in colorectal surgery: a review of 122 medicolegal cases, J. of Surgical Res., Vol. 199, 351-56 (December 2015).
- Gigio K. Ninan Et al., Dissecting Malpractice in Pancreaticoduodenectomy, J. of Surgical Res., Vol. 212, 48-53 (May 2017).
Speaking Engagements
- Moderator, CLE: Diversity in the Legal Profession Outside of Big Law Firms, Lawline, 2024.
- Faculty, CLE: Business of Law and Succession Planning for Small Law Firms in New Jersey, Lawline, 2024.
- Panelist, CLE: How to Start a Solo/Small Firm, Asian American Bar Association of NY, 2023.
- Speaker, Your Firm Needs Succession Planning: Here's How and Why, 2023
- Commencement Speaker, Rutgers Law School in Camden, 2023
- Panelist, NJAJ Boardwalk Seminar: The Role of Diversity in Law School and for New Lawyers, 2023
- Commencement Speaker, Rutgers Law School in Camden, 2022
- Panelist, How to Draft Effective Retainer Agreements, New Jersey State Bar Association, Annual Bar Convention, 2022
- Featured Guest, Dimensions of Diversity (Podcast), Race in America: Perspectives from South Asian Communities, 2021
- Panelist, How to Make Strong Financial and Management Decisions to Keep your Firm Thriving, New Jersey State Bar Association, Small Business Conference, 2021.
- Speaker, Importance of Contract and Procedure Drafting in the IT Staffing Industry, IT Synergy, Norteast Chapter Meeting, 2021.
- Panelist, How to Network Effectively, SABANY Mentorship Program, 2021.
- Moderator, Fireside Chat with the Honorable Shahabuddeen Ally, Supervising Judge, New York County Civil Court, 2021.
- Moderator, Fireside Chat with Jennifer Chung, the General Counsel of Accuweather Data, SABANY, 2020.
- Panelist, The Covid Impact: Sports, Entertainment and Music, Greenberg Trauig/SABANY, 2020.
- Moderator, Fireside Chat with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on PPP Loans and reopening America, 2020.
- Career Connections Talk: How to achieve success in your career, Binghamton University, 2020.
- Panelist, Candid Advice from Law Graduates, AABANY Fall Conference, Clearly Gottlieb, 2015.
Teaching Experience
- Rutgers Law School, Adjunct Professor (w. Prof. J.C. Lore), Deposition Advocacy (Summer 2023; Spring 2024)
- Fairleigh Dickinson University, Lecturer, Civil Litigation (Spring 2019)
Practice Areas
Outside General Counseling
- Negotiating and drafting contracts
- Negotiating, drafting, and reviewing leases
- Handling employment and immigration matters
- Managing Corporate Governance
- Risk Management Policies and Procedures
Litigation
- Non-compete Litigation
- Trade Secret Litigation
- Contracts & Agreement
- Restrictive Covenant Litigation
- Civil and Commercial Litigation
- Breach of Contract Disputes
- Employment Litigation and Counseling
- Class Litigation Defense
- Debt Collection
- Restaurant & Franchise Litigation
- Unfair Business Practices
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty
- Fraud & Misrepresentation
Businesses
- Business Formation
- Commercial Lease Agreements
- Operating Agreements
- Subscription Agreements
- Partnership Agreements
- Non-Disclosure Agreements
- Master Service Agreements
- Manufacturing Agreement
- E-Commerce Policies
- Physician Services Agreements
- Pharmacist Services Agreements
- Stock Sale Agreements
- Physical Therapist Services Agreements
Individuals
- Real Estate Closings
- Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning
- Physician Employment Agreements
- Employment & Severance Negotiation
Mediation
- Commercial
- Business
- Corporate
- Contracts Litigation
- Employment
- Restrictive Covenant Litigation
- Certified Mediator, Panel Member, U.S. District Court for District of New Jersey
Surrogacy
- Surrogacy contracts
- Surrogacy or Gestational Carrier Contracts or Agreements
- Legal clearance
- Fund management
- Parental rights law
- Obtain a Pre-birth Order
- Learn more
Our Awards
What Our Clients Say
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