Partner Erica Nolan Featured in Connecticut Mirror for Opinions on CT NDA Reform
03/30/2026Hurwitz Sagarin & Slossberg Partner Erica O. Nolan published an op-ed in the Connecticut Mirror today calling on Connecticut lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 355, legislation that would limit the use of nondisclosure agreements in cases of workplace sexual harassment and discrimination.
In her commentary, titled "Connecticut should act to limit NDAs that silence victims," Nolan argues that NDAs are routinely weaponized to protect employers and silence survivors of workplace misconduct. She advocates for comprehensive reform to ensure Connecticut workers can report harassment and discrimination without fear of legal retaliation.
Why Senate Bill 355 Matters for Connecticut Workers
"For too long, nondisclosure agreements have been used not as a tool for mutual benefit, but as a weapon to silence survivors and shield perpetrators from accountability," Nolan writes. "Connecticut has an opportunity to lead on this issue by ensuring that NDAs cannot be used to hide workplace misconduct."
Nolan's op-ed addresses a critical flaw in the current legislation: the requirement that survivors exhaust administrative remedies through the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) before taking their claims to court. The CHRO's significant backlog—often six months just to process complaints—can become another tool employers use to delay justice and silence victims.
Legislative Testimony and High-Profile Representation
The op-ed builds on Nolan's testimony before the Connecticut Labor and Public Employees Committee on March 3, 2026, where she appeared alongside her client Janel Grant. Nolan represents Grant in her ongoing federal lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon, a case that has drawn national attention to the use of NDAs in workplace sexual misconduct and sex trafficking cases.
Nolan's work on the Grant case has positioned her as a leading voice on NDA reform in Connecticut. Her testimony before state lawmakers emphasized how NDAs can be used to shield powerful employers from accountability while forcing survivors into silence.
Connecticut Joins National Movement on NDA Reform
Nolan's commentary comes as Connecticut lawmakers consider whether to join a growing number of states that have enacted restrictions on the use of NDAs in harassment and discrimination cases. Senate Bill 355 would invalidate NDAs designed to cover up workplace misconduct, ensuring that survivors can speak out about their experiences.
The proposed legislation aligns with federal reforms like the Speak Out Act, which allows survivors to proceed directly to federal court without exhausting administrative remedies through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Nolan argues Connecticut should adopt a similar approach, allowing NDA-related claims to bypass the CHRO and proceed directly to court.
About Erica O. Nolan
Erica O. Nolan is a Partner at Hurwitz Sagarin & Slossberg, a litigation boutique in Milford, Connecticut. Her practice focuses on complex civil litigation including employment discrimination, workplace sexual harassment, civil rights matters, and appellate advocacy. She has been recognized as a Best Lawyers "One to Watch" in four practice areas and named a Connecticut Super Lawyers Rising Star for Business Litigation. Nolan also serves as counsel in the high-profile Janel Grant v. WWE lawsuit and recently testified before the Connecticut Legislature on NDA reform.