Employment Law

In the course of our ongoing relationships with our management clients, we provide counsel in all manner of workplace issues, including hiring, discipline, harassment, termination and protection of intellectual property. Our advice ranges from the development and use of effective employment documents and procedures to reviewing "real time" decisions, in order to minimize potential claims.

While we seek to minimize exposure to legal entanglements through effective and ongoing counseling, we recognize the importance of anticipating and preparing for lawsuits when necessary. We are therefore experienced in representing our clients in the state and federal courts and before administrative agencies (e.g. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Federal and State Department of Labor Wage/Hour Divisions). If it appears that a matter will not be resolved at the informal level, we emphasize early and ongoing strategic involvement of our Litigation Department, which has extensive experience in handling employment and workers' compensation matters.

The following are among our services:

• advice on compliance with state/federal employment laws
• job analysis to determine wage and overtime obligations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (Exempt/Non-Exempt)
• development and review of employee handbooks and personnel policies
• harassment training and investigation
• defense of wrongful-discharge, discrimination, harassment, wage/hour, safety and other workplace-related actions before state/federal courts and administrative agencies
• drafting and enforcement of noncompetition, nonsolicitation and nondisclosure agreements

First and foremost, we pride ourselves on being accessible and responsive to our clients when the decisions have to be made.

Contact: Department Head William M. Zall