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12 ■ JUNE 28, 2021 NEWS

■ From SENATE on PAGE 11 of providing audio and video access during emer-
impacting Americans’ right to a fair trial, including gency situations, and is endeavoring to determine
the “intimidating effect of cameras” on those involved whether, and under what circumstances, conferenc-
in the trial process and also raised security concerns ing platforms and real-time audio could be used in
for courthouse employees the district courts.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, one of the All of the federal appeals courts have livestreamed
sponsors of the bill alongside Grassley, said Thurs- arguments during the pandemic, but it’s unclear
day that the legislation would leave discretion to the whether they will all continue to do so once court-
presiding judges so they can take steps to protect houses have fully reopened. ■
those appearing in their court.
Mauskopf, a former federal judge and prosecu- Jacqueline Thomsen, based in Washington, is a re-
tor who joined the Judicial Conference earlier this porter covering D.C. federal courts and the legal
year, said in Wednesday’s letter that the judiciary side of politics. Contact her at [email protected]
“has learned a great deal about the benefits and risks and follow her on Twitter @jacq_thomsen.

Attorney Nina Pirrotti Helps

Clients Navigate Labor Issues

By Robert Storace

ew Haven attorney Nina Pirrotti said she gets Connecticut Law Tribune: As a long-time em-
great joy from representing alleged victims of ployment attorney, how do you see the issue of
Nworkplace harassment and discrimination, whether or not employees are vaccinated being
but said wanting to get involved and make a differ- litigated moving forward?
ence came about at an early age. Nina Pirrotti: There are so many facets to this is-
“In the third grade, I passed around a petition at sue, the majority of which are being tested for the
my school in response to the school’s policy permit- first time as this unprecedented series of events con-
ting only boys to carry the flag at assembly,” Pirrotti tinues to unfold.
said. “When I was 16 and worked at a summer job While it’s impossible to determine with certainty
as a telemarketer, I arranged to meet with the vice how litigation will play out here, I suspect that in
president of the company to report a supervisor who many industries employers will be loath to tee up
treated her Black employees less favorably than her litigation by terminating employees who are not
white employees.” vaccinated.
A former prosecutor, Pirrotti has spent the last Instead, they will make every effort to keep their
15 years as a partner with Garrison, Levin-Epstein, employees safe by encouraging them to get vacci-
Fitzgerald & PIrrotti. nated—perhaps even rewarding those who do—and
The Brooklyn, New York, native said it’s reward- presenting consequences to those who do not, such
ing to see clients who are “feeling vulnerable and as prohibiting its unvaccinated employees from go-
trapped when they first walk through my proverbial ing on business trips or attending conferences and,
door to empowered and liberated when they depart.” of course, requiring them to work remotely or wear
Pirrotti received her law degree in 1991 from Yale masks and maintain social distancing.
Law School. For those industries where the potential for
Her answers have been edited for length and clarity. COVID contraction are particularly high such

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