Labor & Employment: Massachusetts

THE FIRM This group has captured the niche of labor and employment issues, particularly wage and hour class actions, noncompetition agreements, discrimination, harassment and whistleblower claims, collective bargaining agreements, as well as union organizing.

Sources say: "A good labor boutique with some of the most outstanding attorneys."

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Welsh has a management-oriented practice covering all aspects of labor and employment law. He is especially known for his expertise on employee discipline and discharge, reductions-in-force, employment and separation agreements, as well as internal investigations of sexual harassment and unlawful discrimination. His peers describe him as “a tenacious adversary and a vigorous advocate for his clients.” Kenneth Bello is “an accomplished, competent and contemporary” labor and employment attorney who focuses on noncompetition, non-solicitation, discrimination, harassment, confidentiality and trademark disputes. Josiah Black is a “tough and prototypical litigator” who is most widely known for his expertise in sexual harassment and wrongful discharge matters.

THE FIRM This assemblage is populated with employment experts, particularly astute in noncompensation and trade secrets, discrimination and harassment, employee privacy, benefits, as well as disability law matters such as accommodating handicapped employees. Recent clients include Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Boston Heart Lab, Carney Management, F.W. Webb and Payette Associates.

Sources say: "A very good group closely attuned to legislative and judicial changes."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gary Feldman is a key contact.

THE FIRM This team places a particular emphasis on traditional labor law and employment litigation, acting for employers in union collective bargaining and negotiation, noncompetition agreements, wage and hour disputes, discrimination, harassment and wrongful discharge claims. Its portfolio of clients includes Verizon Communications, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, CVS Caremark, Anheuser-Busch, H&M Stores and Starbucks, among many others.

Sources say: "They are one of the finest labor and employment shops in Boston with a strong group of client focused and creative attorneys.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Bucking is predominantly focused on union negotiations and related disputes, as well as large-scale class actions representing numerous employers. Most recently, he has acted for CVS Caremark, Verizon and Starbucks. According to the interviewees, he is “a sharp, strategic, labor union attorney – one of the premier labor negotiators in New England.” Michele Whitham focuses on data security issues and employee theft of IP. Upbeat clients report that she is “a very smart, practical attorney who strategically navigates business problems through tricky waters.” Michael Rosen is widely known as an expert on noncompetition and nondisclosure matters. Peers are full of praise for his work, with one reporting that “Mike is an extremely practical and reasonable attorney who zealously fights for his clients.”

THE FIRM This group puts a special emphasis on management and board reputational risk issues, whistleblowing claims, discrimination issues, as well as traditional labor union and employment matters.

Sources say: “An extremely competent group with the brightest legal talent renowned for their creativity to meet their clients’ needs.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Wilfred Benoit focuses on intricate whistleblowing cases. According to interviewees, he is “absolutely terrific – very smart, thoughtful, results-oriented with a superb sense for nuance.” James Nagle specializes in senior executive transactions and related disputes, whistleblowing claims, and high-level discrimination matters. Peers say that he is “extremely experienced and witty – a very charged, bulldog-like attorney.” Robert Hale is a true all-around employment attorney who “really knows the challenging legal minutiae at an extraordinarily high level.” Bradford Smith acts for employers in all types of discrimination issues, employee termination, compliance with wage and hour regulations, as well as employee noncompetition and confidentiality agreements. According to clients: “He can manage the situation with whatever is warranted, whether it be aggressiveness or passiveness – the person to make things happen.” Heidi Goldstein Shepherd predominantly focuses on discrimination-related issues and practically all types of breach of employment contract actions. “A really quite impressive, measured and thoughtful attorney,” according to peers.

THE FIRM This team is perfectly adept at dealing with any labor and employment legal intricacy, particularly collective bargaining, union avoidance and negotiation, as well as counseling employers through all stages of the employment relationship, from hiring to termination, including noncompetition and nondisclosure agreements.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jeffrey Hirsch‘s broad practice encompasses union avoidance and negotiations, wage and hour cases, discrimination and harassment, as well as wrongful discharge cases. According to his peers, he is “quite an authority on the law – a very capable, assertive and zealous advocate for his clients.” Catherine Reuben is widely described as “a terrifically energetic and enthusiastic attorney who is a textbook on employment law.” She is an astute adviser and defense attorney in both labor and employment law, particularly discrimination and harassment matters. Jerome Weinstein focuses primarily on labor-related work, including collective bargaining and arbitration. Peers report that he is “a hugely trusted adviser and an extraordinarily capable lawyer with a very effective and yet soft touch.”

THE FIRM This group provides assistance with internal investigations, claims arising within the context of employee terminations, as well as race discrimination and gender discrimination claims. It also advises on issues relating to union-organizing campaigns and those regarding employment and in particular covenant matters.

Sources say: “They provide strong service and contain real legal talent.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Miriam McKendall is a key contact for this practice.

THE FIRM This group advises on a whole variety of labor and employment issues, including global immigration, trade secrets, noncompetition and discrimination, wage and hour compliance, as well as workplace safety compliance. Recent clients include Hyatt Hotels, US Airways, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Aspen Technology, Straumann USA and Big Y Foods, among many others.

Sources say: “Without a doubt one of the leading labor and employment boutiques in Massachusetts.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Pickett is widely renowned as a “very competent employment litigator who knows the law backwards and forwards – one of the leaders of the Employment Bar”. He is the managing partner of the Boston office, focusing on all forms of discrimination, reductions in force, FMLA leave, ADA, noncompetition agreements, and litigation under the ERISA. Patrick Egan is “a very effective union attorney” who advises major employers on traditional labor issues, such as union avoidance and negotiation, collective bargaining as well as union-related training.

THE FIRM This team’s specialty lies in defending employers in a whole myriad of labor, employment and benefits issues, including union-related corporate compliance matters. Recent clients include Inova Health Systems, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, TJX, Watts Water Technologies and Joslin Diabetes Center.

Sources say: “A cream of the crop among labor and employment boutiques with a big national presence.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Anthony Rizzotti has focused his practice on discrimination, noncompete and trade secret litigation, as well as collective bargaining negotiations and labor arbitrations. Peers say that he is “star-caliber with a fabulous advocacy and counseling demeanor – a real pit-bull for his clients.” David Casey is widely known for his discrimination practice, recently acting for the Massachusetts Bar association. According to peers, he is “a very talented trial lawyer, energetic, aggressive but appropriately so – a reasonable adversary.” Gregory Keating‘s strength lies in contentious matters, particularly those related to retaliation and whistleblowing claims, wage and hour class and collective actions, as well as noncompetition agreements. According to peers, he is “an extremely skilled litigator who is appropriately aggressive – ideal for a lawyer fight.” Adam Forman is widely regarded as “a very good lawyer – diligent, effective and extremely knowledgeable.” His area of expertise encompasses the full spectrum of the employment arena, such as discrimination, harassment and wrongful discharge, noncompetition and trade secrets litigation.

THE FIRM This group has the capacity to deal with a broad range of labor and employment issues, including wage and hour, harassment and discrimination, noncompetition, trade secret and confidentiality matters, as well as union negotiation and avoidance.

Sources say: “A great team with rock-solid and productive attorneys.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Gault places more emphasis on transactional than on contentious work, focusing on traditional employment law-related matters. His book of business includes Analogic, Brookwood Financial Partners, Greater Boston Food Bank, Osborne Clarke and Atlantic Power Holdings, among many. According to clients: “Bob has a remarkable ability to provide legal advice with a commonsense perspective and business objectives in mind.” Bret Cohen is an expert in the realm of noncompetition and non-solicitation agreements, general breaches of contract and wrongful termination claims. Recent clients include Brightcove, Cheetah Medical, Diaz Construction, Exar, Quest Software and Sourceforge, to name a few. Peers describe him as “an especially competent, bright and aggressive employment attorney.”

THE FIRM This team has the capacity to advise any management team on any labor and employment intricacy. Recent clients include Home Depot, Harvard University, GE, CVS, General Dynamics, Entergy, Macy’s, City of Boston and Shaw’s Supermarkets.

Sources say: “The tried and true labor boutique offering an all-star line-up across the board.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS William Joy is a labor relations specialist, advising and representing employers in collective bargaining, union organizing and NLRB proceedings. He is “extremely knowledgeable on labor union issues, giving spot-on and succinct advice.” Robert Joy focuses on highly complex employment litigation and labor relations arbitration and advice. Recent clients include Macy’s and General Dynamics. According to his clients, he is “the ultimate trusted adviser, always on point while balancing the practical needs of running a business – a masterful attorney.” Laurence Donoghue‘s wide practice encompasses both labor and employment arenas, including union-related matters, as well as a variety of employer-employee claims. According to peers: “Larry is a real client favorite – a tremendously knowledgeable attorney who has seen it all and knows how to do it.” Philip Boyle‘s practice is especially focused in the areas of union negotiation and litigation. According to interviewees: “Phil is a classic labor lawyer – an experienced, steady advocate who confidently throws himself into a case and is very thorough in analyzing it from every angle.” Nathan Kaitz focuses on employment litigation and union-related issues with a particular emphasis on collective bargaining and arbitration proceedings. He is widely viewed as “a very competent and creative attorney.” Jaclyn Kugell represents employers in manifold legal forums, advising them on a whole myriad of labor and employment issues. Peers say that she is “a top-notch resource for the complicated world under the ADA and FMLA,” while grateful clients report that she is “absolutely fabulous at presenting legal issues in a very practical and simple way – extremely effective.”

THE FIRM This assembly of highly capable attorneys is particularly known for its expertise in employment-related matters, including discrimination, wrongful discharge, noncompetition and trade secrets, ERISA, SOX and state law whistleblowers, as well as contract and wage and hour disputes.

Sources say: “An excellent team with an expanding practice.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gary Oberstein chairs the firm’s wage and hour team with a special focus on employment-related matters, including employment discrimination and harassment, employee discipline and discharge, wage and hour, privacy, noncompetition, workforce restructuring, as well as labor and employment implications of M&A. According to peers, he is “an extremely good lawyer, thoughtful, analytical, reasonable with a commanding presence.”

THE FIRM This labor and employment boutique has the capacity to handle any legal intricacy but is particularly adept in noncompetition and trade secrets, discrimination and harassment, as well as union avoidance, negotiation and related training. Most recently, Comcast Cable, Covidien, Greater Media, Herb Chambers, Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Tyco International have sought its expert advice.

Sources say: “One of the best employment practices in the city with an extremely talented group of attorneys.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Joshua Davis has equally divided his practice between moment-to-moment employment issues and litigation. According to clients: “Josh is very pragmatic in his advice, reassuring in his manner, and powerful in his advocacy.” Danielle Vanderzanden acts for employers in a whole variety of employment disputes, particularly reductions in force, employment termination matters, as well as discrimination, harassment and ethics investigations. She is widely renowned as “an impressive attorney – smart, practical and confident.” Deborah Hesford DosSantos is “a terrific labor and employment attorney who is appropriately aggressive, with a solid grasp of the law and extremely good oratory skills.” Her area of specialism encompasses general contractual matters, discrimination claims, noncompetition and non-solicitation matters, as well as class action wage disputes.

THE FIRM This team has a wide reach in the labor and employment arena, acting for clients in a variety of disputes such as discrimination and harassment, wage and hour, noncompetition and trade secrets, as well as other general employment claims. Its professionals are also very effective in union negotiations, avoidance and collective bargaining.

Sources say: “They are on top of the law like no one else – so quick to spot new developments.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Batten is widely acclaimed as “an extremely practical and knowledgeable attorney – a class action heavyweight for labor and employment in Massachusetts.” He has focused his practice on class and collective actions alleging wage and hour violations, misclassification and other complex labor-management relation matters. Scott Faust, as one of his peers pointed out, “is arguably one of the top union negotiators in the country, period”.

THE FIRM This team represents private and public sector employers in every aspect of the employee-employer relationship, including labor, employment and executive compensation aspects of corporate M&A and reorganizations.

Sources say: “They are the number-one firm, the crown jewel of Boston.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Gordon regularly defends boards of directors in employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, whistleblower, employee privacy, defamation, trade secret as well as non-competition litigation. State Street Corp most recently sought his advice. According to clients, he is “an extraordinarily intelligent advocate with genius analytical skills and native brainpower – an iconic attorney in this practice area.” David Mandel's predominant focus is on collective bargaining and related contentious matters. According to the interviewees, he is “a first-class labor litigator – a pragmatic and philosophically aggressive advocate who knows the boundaries of the law.” Diane Patrick is a collective bargaining specialist, who, according to her clients, “has a brilliant negotiating demeanor and is very client-centric – plays hard ball with a velvet glove.” Peter Ebb mostly deals with union-related intricacies, but is also active as a counselor on general employment issues, as well as supporting corporate M&A when employment issues arise. Clients report that “Peter is the standout in this practice – a smart, practical, efficient and diplomatic attorney.”

THE FIRM This group offers industry-specific expertise in practically all areas of labor and employment law, particularly in all forms of discrimination, workplace counseling and compliance, union-management labor relations, affirmative action consulting as well as immigration.

Sources say: “They dominate the Boston market in this area.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Alfred chairs the firm’s labor and employment team with a predominant focus on the representation of employers in large, often bet-the-company, wage and hour class actions. Peers say that he is “a first league attorney – aggressive, smart, tenacious with endless energy.” Lisa Damon is “an incredibly smart and business-oriented attorney who can speak to any audience.” She has narrowed her practice to discrimination-related issues. Arthur Telegen is a specialist in union-management labor relations, regularly appearing before the NLRB, and in federal court litigation, arbitrations, conciliations, and mediations. According to peers: “He is one of the deans of this practice in Boston,” while clients say that he is “ferociously smart, an incredible strategist, very efficient with a calm intensity in the courtroom.” Ariel Cudkowicz is the national chair of the firm’s single-plaintiff employment litigation practice who is an accomplished wage and hour class actions specialist. According to peers, he “has excellent business sense with a natural ability to swiftly understand what the client wants and is strategic in ensuring that the client gets it – a solid sharp attorney.” Wage and hour specialist Barry Miller is a real up-and-comer, who is widely acclaimed as “a very talented associate excelling at partner-level work.”

THE FIRM This is one of the finest labor and employment plaintiff shops, representing executives and other highly skilled professionals in the negotiation and enforcement of employment, retention, change-in-control, restrictive covenant, termination and separation agreements.

Sources say: “A very solid boutique crowded with some of the best plaintiff lawyers in this arena.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nancy Shilepsky is widely renowned for her prowess in complex employment matters involving executive employment, retention, compensation, and severance. She acts for some of the most sophisticated executives and professionals from a myriad of industries. According to her clients, she is “an extremely shrewd negotiator who really looks after her clients.” H James Hartley leads the firm’s executive/professional advocacy practice, concentrating on complex executive transition and litigation matters, including change-in-control, noncompetition and incentive/equity compensation. He is described as “a tremendously effective attorney with commanding communications skills.”

THE FIRM This group solely advises on labor and employment matters and has the capacity to handle any related intricacy, irrespective of size or complexity. Their book of business includes Baystate Health System, Danbury Health Systems, Five Star Quality Care, Kanzaki Specialty Papers, Polar Beverages, Six Flags New England, TA Operating and Yankee Candle, among many others.

Sources say: “An excellent boutique firm with client-oriented and business-savvy attorneys who are well connected in the world of labor.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ralph Abbott is widely renowned as “an effective labor attorney who is as tough as nails and always on point.” He is particularly astute in union avoidance, negotiation, litigation and arbitration. Susan Fentin is “a very fine advocate with an effective demeanor” who advises employers on a whole myriad of labor and employment issues.

THE FIRM This group has a particularly strong cross-border practice, specializing in business immigration, international and traditional labor law, employment litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

Sources say: “A superb firm with incredibly capable attorneys and good reputation.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Neil Jacobs is a renowned expert in the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements, unfair labor practices, predatory hiring cases, employee theft of trade secrets, wrongful discharge litigation, as well as discrimination litigation. His book of business includes Hasbro and the Boston Celtics to name a few. Peers see him as “something of a legend,” while according to clients, he “is very measured, with the knowledge, experience and the confidence to advise clients on what not to do.” Jonathan Rosenfeld‘s practice is concentrated on contentious matters, including discrimination, noncompetition and other general employment issues. Most recently, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Teradyne and Motion Corp were among many to seek his expert advice. According to peers, he is “very measured, thoughtful, but as tough as he needs to be – good litigator.”