Employment Law
Today's economy has resulted in the highest unemployment rate in decades. Many employees who have lost their jobs feel that they have been unjustly terminated or demoted by their employers. Employers also need to protect themselves from claims by handling terminations efficiently and within the law. We advise both employees and employers with respect to their available rights and remedies, including enforceability of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, wrongful terminations, non-payment of wage claims, and civil rights and discrimination claims. We have also negotiated numerous separation and severance agreements for both employers and employees. While we diligently attempt to resolve most employee disputes outside of the courtroom, we are always prepared to prosecute or defend claims before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the trial courts, where and when necessary.
These are some of the matters our firm has handled in this practice area:
Retaliation Claim
Represented terminated employee in retaliation claim against a state agency resulting in a final judgment in excess of $1,000,000.
Wrongful Termination: Physician
Successfully represented a physician in a wrongful termination case resulting in a settlement in excess of $2,000,000.
Defense of Discrimination Claims
Successfully defended companies and small businesses against discrimination claims brought by former employees before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.
Termination and Severance Agreements
Negotiated numerous severance agreements for both employers and employees in termination cases.
Fiduciary Duties
Defended former employees of closely-held corporation who were accused of breaching non-compete agreements and fiduciary duties.
Wrongful Termination Defense
Defense of employer and officers charged with wrongfully terminating employees and interfering with their advantageous contractual relations.
Employee Handbook and Benefits
Prevailed in an argument before the State’s highest court that an employee had an enforceable implied contractual right to a benefit that the employer promised in an employee handbook.
Wrongful Termination
Defended CEO of a corporation accused of wrongful termination, Wage Act violations and interference with contractual relations.
Sexual Harrassment: Male Employee
Represented Manager of large utility company who was the target of sexual orientation harassment and discrimination by members of a union during a labor dispute. Successfully pursued a discrimination claim against the union and its members before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and in federal court, which ultimately resulted in a significant settlement for the plaintiff.
Defense of Racial Discrimination Claim
Defended closely-held corporation in proceeding before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) brought by employee for alleged discrimination and harassment.
Non Competition and Confidentiality Litigation
Enforced rights of employers against employees violating obligations under various non-competition, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements.
Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)
Represented numerous employees alleging gender, maternity, age discrimination and sexual harassment claims before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.
Non Compete
Defended president of start-up corporation against claims for breach of non-compete clause with former employer.
Wrongful Termination: Insurance Agent
Represented former employee of multi-million dollar insurance company in wrongful termination lawsuit resulting in large settlement.
Wage Act Claim
Defense of employers and officers charged with violation of Massachusetts Wage of Act.
Confidentiality and Termination Agreements
Provided services to numerous employees and employers regarding contract review, drafting and negotiation of severance agreements, non-compete agreements and confidentiality agreements.
Wrongful Termination: Executive
Successfully represented a wrongfully terminated insurance executive resulting in a settlement of approximately $750,000.
Breach of Employment Contract
Defended employees accused of violating obligations to former employers including obligations under noncompetition agreements.
Violation of Non Compete Agreement
Obtained injunction preventing employee from working for competitor in violation of non-competition agreement.
Severance Agreements
Represented employees in negotiations with employers regarding severance agreements.
