Emily E. Mahler, Civil Rights Attorney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Emily Mahler is a partner in Margolis Edelstein’s Employment and Labor Law Group. She represents employers in labor and employment litigation, including claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, breach of contract and wage disputes.

Emily represents corporations, small businesses, nonprofit organizations and public entities. She appears regularly in federal and state courts throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, and other state and local administrative agencies.

Emily also counsels employers on employment policies, employee discipline and terminations, as well as compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Equal Opportunity Reporting Act, Truth in Lending and identity theft, and other state and federal regulations. She drafts and assists employers with implementation of employee manuals, policies and procedures. She also drafts and provides guidance on severance agreements, noncompete and confidentiality agreements. Emily also defends employers in claims involving workplace torts, including assault and battery, defamation and invasion of privacy. A portion of Emily’s practice is devoted to housing discrimination matters as well.

In addition to her employment law practice, Emily is currently serving as the Chair of the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners. She is a certified mediator in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, a pro bono mediator for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and a special master for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, as well as an arbitration panelist for the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas.

Honors

•Selected for inclusion in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2015-2022)
•Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Civil Rights Law and Employment Law - Management

Articles & Publications

Third Circuit Clarifies: Pennsylvania Employers Must Apply CHRIA Limits Even When the Applicant Voluntarily Discloses Criminal History

What Employers Need to Know About Amendments to the Pittsburgh Paid Sick Days Act (Effective January 1, 2026)

EEOC Issues New Guidance on DEI Programs and Title VII Compliance

Federal Court Backs State Ruling: No Accommodation Required for Medical Marijuana Under Pennsylvania Human Relations Act

In a Big Win for Employers, SCOTUS Confirms They Need Only Meet the Preponderance of the Evidence Standard to Demonstrate an FLSA Exemption

SCOTUS to Decide the Fate of Requiring Majority-Group Plaintiffs to Prove “Background Circumstances” in Support of a Discrimination Claim Made Against an Employer

Pittsburgh Passes Temporary Emergency COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Ordinance

Updated Guidance - Emergency Leave & Amendment to PA Unemployment Compensation Law in Response to COVID-19

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Best Practices for Employers Handling Coronavirus in the Workplace

DOL Issues New Model FMLA Forms

New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Publishes Regulations to Implement the New Jersey Opportunity to Compete Act (“Ban the Box”)

National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Issues Guidance on Employee Handbook Rules

Speaking Engagements

•“What Is Attorney-Client Privilege?” National Business Institute, February 2026
•“Guidance on Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Policies” Presented to Regional Natural Gas Utility, July 2025
•“Understanding Employer Rights and Responsibilities with Respect to Medical Marijuana in the Workplace” Presented to leadership team at Fortune 500 Insurance Group, July 2025
•“Hiring and Firing: Legal Dos and Don’ts for Crucial HR Functions” NBI, April 2025
•“Best Practices for Compliance with Statutes and Regulations Governing Leaves of Absence” Presented to large regional bank, January 2025
•“Guidance on Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation and Investigations” Presented to large privately held manufacturing company, November 2024
•“Investigating and Responding to Complaints of Discrimination” Presented to Regional Natural Gas Utility, July 2024
•“Employment Practices Liability Claims Handling in Pennsylvania” Presented to leadership team at Fortune 500 Insurance Group, September and June 2020
•“Understanding Management Liability, Directors and Officers and Fiduciary Liability” Presented to International Association of Insurance Professionals (IAIP), April 2019
•“The Expanding View of Sexual Orientation as a Protected Class Under Title VII” Presented to global insurance company, December 2018
•“Best Practices for Compliance with Employment Laws and Regulations” Presented to leadership team of regional healthcare corporation, September 2018
•“Employment Practices Liability Claim Update” Presented to Professional Liability and Employment Insurance Group, August 2017
•“Compliance with Employment Laws and Regulations”Presented to large regional healthcare corporation, December 2015
•“Best Practices for Compliance with Age Discrimination in Employment Act and Americans with Disabilities Act”Presented to leadership team of telecommunications firm, January 2015

Client Testimonials

“Great work! That is an awesome outcome! Thanks for your efforts.”

“Thank you for all your help on this ! It’s been a pleasure working with you and the entire team.”

“I knew I picked the right law firm.”

“Great! ... You and your firm always do great work for us!”

“Emily did a nice job preparing and evaluating the case for the mediation.”

News & Case Results

11 Margolis Edelstein Attorneys Named to the 2026 Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch Lists

10 Attorneys Rated by Best Lawyers for 2025

Summary Judgment Granted in High Exposure Employment Discrimination & Retaliation Case

Summary Judgment Granted in Race Discrimination & Retaliation Lawsuit; Dismissal Upheld by Third Circuit Court of Appeals

Partner Emily Mahler Secures Dismissal of All Claims in EEOC Discrimination Lawsuit

Congratulations to the Margolis Edelstein 2021 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars!

Margolis Edelstein Partners Present at Erie Insurance Panel Counsel Seminar

Margolis Edelstein Recognized as “Defense Firm of the Year”

Western District USDC Disability Discrimination Claim Dismissed by Summary Judgment

Defense Verdict in Trial in Race/Age Discrimination Lawsuit

Motion to Dismiss Granted - Civil Rights Claim in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Partner Christopher Tinari and Associate Emily Mahler Prevail on Summary Judgment in Age Discrimination Lawsuit

Preliminary Objections Sustained on Breach of Contract/Breach of Fiduciary Duty Lawsuit in Bucks County Court of Common Pleas - Partner Christopher Tinari and Associate Emily Mahler Prevail on Preliminary Objections to Complaint

Defense Verdict at Binding Arbitration of Labor Dispute - Partner Christopher Tinari and Associate Emily Mahler Prevail at Arbitration Hearing

Defense Verdict at Arbitration of Fair Labor Standards Act Lawsuit in Federal Court - Partner Christopher Tinari and Associates Emily Mahler and Michael Miller Prevail at Arbitration Hearing