Kieran M. Dowling

Attorney

Kieran M. Dowling

Of Counsel

Kieran M. Dowling contributes a deep and diverse litigation background to Castronovo & McKinney, LLC’s employment law practice. His work is dedicated to upholding employee rights and resolving workplace disputes in both state and federal courts. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York, and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Recognized by his peers, Kieran has earned placements on the Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Kieran’s legal work spans a wide array of employment and labor law matters, including civil rights violations, whistleblower retaliation, and workplace discrimination under statutes such as the FMLA and ADA. His practice also covers key New Jersey laws, including the NJ Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), where he represents clients facing bias based on race, gender (including sexual harassment and pregnancy), disability, age, and retaliation. He frequently handles matters under CEPA and the state’s Wage and Hour Law. Additionally, he advises and litigates on restrictive covenants such as non-compete and non-solicitation clauses. He is well-versed in civil rights litigation under Section 1983, including First and Fourth Amendment violations and Monell claims, as well as New Jersey Civil Rights Act (NJCRA) cases.

As a skilled litigator, Kieran has successfully handled complex employment disputes from start to finish, often recovering substantial compensation for his clients. He has played lead and supporting roles in numerous trials and argued before appellate courts in both New Jersey and New York. He also manages urgent employment hearings, including Orders to Show Cause and temporary restraining orders.

Kieran is active in courtrooms across Essex, Middlesex, Bergen, Union, Passaic, and Mercer Counties. He brings extensive experience in negotiation and mediation, having resolved many cases through alternative dispute resolution with organizations such as NAM and JAMS. As a certified mediator, he also offers neutral services in employment, contract, and business disputes. Kieran regularly advises clients on severance negotiations to secure favorable and fair outcomes at the end of employment relationships.

Prior to joining Castronovo & McKinney, LLC, Kieran worked at prominent defense firms, gaining valuable insights into employer-side litigation strategies. He also served as a law clerk to the Hon. Margaret Mary McVeigh, Chancery Division, Passaic County, and interned with Hon. Susan D. Wigenton in the U.S. District Court (DNJ) and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Kieran earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and graduated with honors from Loyola University Maryland, where he captained the Division I Men’s Cross Country team. He continues to mentor Loyola students through its Alumni Association. He has served on the Board of Officers for the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Union County. In his free time, Kieran enjoys skiing, golf, Yankees baseball, and participating in Tough Mudder races in support of the Wounded Warrior Project.

Select Publications:

• Aurora Loan Servs., LLC v. Gross, 32 N.Y.S.3d 249 (App. Div. 2016)
• FBP 250, LLC v. Wells Fargo Bank, Nat’l Ass’n, 85 N.Y.S.3d 177 (App. Div. 2018)