Employers best manage their risk with well-trained managers and timely, strategic advice and counsel. In today's legal and regulatory environment, however, claims still arise, requiring cost-effective representation regardless of the forum. The Pierce Atwood Employment Group provides across-the-board expertise and legal services pertaining to the employment relationship.

Our goal with each of our clients is to foster effective human resource practices; minimize risk; provide zealous advocacy; improve the legal and economic environment for employers and enhance our clients' own expertise through information and training. We provide frequent one-hour (free) and periodic longer (low-cost) seminars, available live and online, regular alerts, and a private extranet for our clients.

BTI Consulting Group, the leading provider of strategic research to the legal industry, named Pierce Atwood to the “Honor Roll” in Employment Litigation in the BTI Litigation Outlook 2019

Pierce Atwood is the exclusive Maine and New Hampshire member of the Employment Law Alliance, a global association of top employment and labor attorneys providing multistate and multinational companies access to the best labor and employment attorneys in every U.S. state and in over 135 countries around the world, far surpassing what any firm or other association can offer.

Areas of Expertise

At the heart of today's employer-employee relationship is the management of legal risk associated with discrimination: protected class discrimination, harassment, whistleblower, retaliation, failure to accommodate, and related claims. We help clients with prevention strategies such as 1) training managers in areas such as principles of employment discrimination, accommodations, leave, performance management and investigations; 2) regular updates to management on new developments and trends; and 3) defense of claims in all administrative, state and federal forums. In addition, whether it's under the ADA, FMLA, state law leave requirements, or workers compensation laws, we help clients make decisions concerning their workforce that comply with today's legal and regulatory environment.

Representative Experience

We successfully compelled arbitration and then defended our client against a former executive’s multi-count claims that his termination violated the Massachusetts Wage Act and breached implied contractual duties. During the arbitral hearing, our attorneys prevailed on three of the executive’s four claims and succeeded in limiting the damages on his sole successful claim to a negligible amount. We then defeated the executive’s motion asking a court to vacate the arbitrator’s decision. We also succeeded in persuading the MCAD to dismiss his age discrimination claim with a finding of no reasonable grounds.

Arbitration Success in Employment Discrimination Case

We obtained a defense verdict for Genesis Healthcare in a whistleblower case in Maine state court, in which the plaintiff, a registered nurse, alleged that she was terminated because she complained about what she claimed was an inadequate orientation that put patients at risk.

Defense Verdict in Whistleblower Case

Lead counsel in obtaining dismissal of employment claims against hotel operator in U.S. District Court in Boston.

Employment Claims Against Hotel Operator

Obtained dismissal of employment discrimination claims against a hotel management company.

Employment Discrimination at Hotel Management Company

For a regional bank, we conducted sexual harassment training for all employees and managers in Maine and Massachusetts. 

Sexual Harassment Training for Regional Bank

Successfully defended a race discrimination complaint before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) for food industry client.

Successful Defense Before MCAD

In Beth Carnicella v. Mercy Hospital, we obtained summary judgment for our client, Mercy Hospital, in connection with a lawsuit filed by a former employee who alleged that Mercy failed to provide her with reasonable accommodation. The plaintiff appealed the trial court’s ruling in our client’s favor to the Law Court, which affirmed, concluding a jury could not find Mercy liable for disability discrimination.

Summary Judgment for Mercy Hospital

Pitfalls abound for employers seeking creative ways to compensate their executives, provide severance, and keep benefits affordable. We advise on compliance with section 409A deferred compensation compliance and help employers provide affordable benefits packages that maintain employee morale while complying with ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, GINA, the Affordable Care Act, and changing state insurance regulations.

As federal and state requirements for compensating employees fall farther and farther behind the economic realities of today's economy, we help clients remain in compliance. Our attorneys have considerable experience defending individual and class action claims arising under the FLSA and state analogs.

Representative Experience

We successfully compelled arbitration and then defended our client against a former executive’s multi-count claims that his termination violated the Massachusetts Wage Act and breached implied contractual duties. During the arbitral hearing, our attorneys prevailed on three of the executive’s four claims and succeeded in limiting the damages on his sole successful claim to a negligible amount. We then defeated the executive’s motion asking a court to vacate the arbitrator’s decision. We also succeeded in persuading the MCAD to dismiss his age discrimination claim with a finding of no reasonable grounds.

Arbitration Success in Employment Discrimination Case

Resolved a wage and hour case before the Connecticut Department of Labor for a fraction of the initial penalty and back pay award.

Reduced Penalty in Wage and Hour Case

We convinced the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) to reverse its finding that our client had misclassified its workers by treating them as independent contractors rather than employees. After filing an appeal of the original decision, we were able to persuade the MDOL that it did not have sufficient grounds on the facts or the law to prevail at a hearing before the Unemployment Insurance Commission.

Reversal of Finding of Misclassification of Workers

We are engaged with Maine's public and political leaders. Together with trade associations or on behalf of client groups or individual clients, we advocate at the Maine Legislature and state agencies for employers' public policy interests.

There are many ways for employers to get tripped up today, whether by the complex regulatory environment, changes in the economy, or unexpected events. With the right platform, the human resources team is much better prepared to respond. Here's how we help our clients stay ahead of the curve:

  • Protection of Organizational Assets – We help employers with non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements; advice on maximizing trade secret protection; and enforcement of employers' rights.
  • Health and Safety – Whatever the intensity of OSHA's enforcement efforts, employers never want to lose sight of the benefits of a safe workforce. We advise on how to stay in compliance, and represent employers' interests in OSHA proceedings.
  • Recordkeeping – We help employers create the right records and keep what they should for as long as they should.
  • Social Networking and Privacy – The line between work life and private life seems to be getting less distinct with every passing day. We advise on how to find the right balance between employer and employee interests while complying with the National Labor Relations Act and federal and state privacy laws.
  • Affirmative Action Plans – For employers with federal contracts, timely compliance with OFCCP requirements is a must. We prepare and update affirmative action plans that help keep the OFCCP inspectors away.
Representative Experience

Conducted due diligence regarding employment matters in connection with purchase of medical supply company.

Due Diligence on Employment Issues in M&A

Assist seafood processing companies with non-disclosure and non-compete agreements, and other general contractual and transactional matters.

NDAs and Non-Competes for Seafood Processing Companies

Performed a pay equity audit for a prominent private college in Massachusetts.

Pay Equity Audit for Massachusetts College

Employers often face situations that require them to conduct investigations in order to protect employees, assure legal compliance, or respond to complaints. Often with little time, and always with a need for accuracy, employers need to assess and then act. 

Particularly in situations involving an actual or perceived internal conflict of interest, where the perception of objectivity will be critical, or where fast and skilled action is needed, employers often engage Pierce Atwood’s investigations team. Acting as an independent investigator – not an advocate – Pierce Atwood’s attorneys create an investigation plan, interview witnesses, review evidence, reach conclusions where appropriate, and provide a report to the employer, in the employer’s chosen format, enabling the client to take informed and appropriate action.  

We have substantial experience investigating sexual harassment claims, discrimination claims, wrongful discharge claims, supervisor or coworker bullying and other employee relations concerns, and many other workplace issues.  Our team can be especially valuable when a third party is needed, as many states have laws that permit such investigations to be done only by attorneys or licensed private investigators. 

Chest Medicine Associates

Down East Community Hospital

Genesis Healthcare

H.D. Goodall Hospital

MaineGeneral Medical Center

MaineHealth

Martin's Point Health Care

MedEquity Capital, LLC

Mercy Hospital

New England Cancer Specialists

Northern Maine Medical Center

Penobscot Valley Hospital

Pierce Atwood's Employment Group has been Maine's leader in healthcare labor and employment for many years. We serve as outside counsel to many of Maine's hospitals, including the majority of those with collective bargaining units.

We help health care and other clients manage the entire range of issues and risks associated with the employment relationship, such as protected class discrimination, harassment, whistleblower, retaliation, failure to accommodate, leave management, wage-hour, defamation, confidentiality of patient and company information, hiring, drug testing, affirmative action plans, performance management, employee discipline and workforce reductions. We work with clients to develop prevention strategies, including in-house employment law training for managers and updates on developments. We defend claims in all administrative forums and in state and federal courts, including the Maine and New Hampshire Human Rights Commissions, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, and the EEOC.

For hospitals with unions, we provide representation in contract negotiations, arbitrations, unit determinations and other Board proceedings, as well as regular advice and counsel on contract administration and compliance. At the same time, we have helped our non-union clients stay union-free. We also work with a broad range of non-hospital providers in the industry, including home health agencies, long-term care facilities, physician practices, laboratory services, research institutions and insurers.

Representative Experience

In Beth Carnicella v. Mercy Hospital, we obtained summary judgment for our client, Mercy Hospital, in connection with a lawsuit filed by a former employee who alleged that Mercy failed to provide her with reasonable accommodation. The plaintiff appealed the trial court’s ruling in our client’s favor to the Law Court, which affirmed, concluding a jury could not find Mercy liable for disability discrimination.

Summary Judgment for Mercy Hospital

Millinocket Regional Hospital

Sappi Fine Paper North America

Madison Paper Industries

Lincoln Paper & Tissue

Casella Waste Systems

Portland Pipeline

Traditional labor lawyers may be a dying breed, but not at Pierce Atwood. Our unionized clients rely on us for collective bargaining (both strategic advice and hands-on negotiating), unit determination proceedings, and defense of unfair labor practice charges.

Representative Experience

Pierce Atwood represented a large employer in extended negotiations with a newly installed labor union, and, as a result of our negotiation strategy, achieved the rare outcome of getting the union to walk away from our client’s workplace.

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Labor Negotiations Lead Union to Walk Away

Representation of Verso Corporation in antitrust and employment litigation arising out of the closure and sale of Verso's paper mill in Bucksport, Maine.

Verso Litigation Concerning Bucksport Mill

Our lawyers counsel clients on website and digital accessibility issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), and similar federal and state laws and regulations, and represent clients in the defense of related class actions. Our litigators have experience handling cases in the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, where many of these federal cases are filed. For example, we have represented defendant companies in direct-to-consumer and retail industries in website accessibility lawsuits.

While the ADA requires that businesses and property owners generally open to the public (known as public accommodations) make their locations accessible for people with disabilities, the law was enacted in 1990, before conducting business and consumer transactions over the internet became commonplace. Since 1990, an ever-increasing number of products and services have been offered over the internet, and digital accessibility has become a concern for the platforms on which they are provided. Digital accessibility is the ability of a website, mobile application, or electronic document to be easily navigated and understood by a wide range of users, including those users who have visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities. As more aspects of our daily lives migrate to the internet, a growing number of plaintiffs have asserted that websites and applications are places of public accommodation under the meaning of the ADA, and court decisions and legislation concerning digital accessibility have made this a rapidly evolving area of law. These developments make it important for businesses to assess the accessibility of their websites, applications, and other digital platforms and to seek guidance concerning new developments in the law. 

Representative Experience

We successfully compelled arbitration and then defended our client against a former executive’s multi-count claims that his termination violated the Massachusetts Wage Act and breached implied contractual duties. During the arbitral hearing, our attorneys prevailed on three of the executive’s four claims and succeeded in limiting the damages on his sole successful claim to a negligible amount. We then defeated the executive’s motion asking a court to vacate the arbitrator’s decision. We also succeeded in persuading the MCAD to dismiss his age discrimination claim with a finding of no reasonable grounds.

Arbitration Success in Employment Discrimination Case

We serve as outside general counsel to Bates College, providing advice to the Board of Trustees and Administration on issues relating to risk, Title IX compliance, student discipline, student accommodations, other academic and student affairs matters, employment, immigration, intellectual property, and other matters. We have also advised Bates on construction-related matters including contract review and resolution of claims.

Bates College Outside General Counsel

In an important victory for our client, Resource Real Estate (RRE), and for Maine landlords generally, the Maine Law Court reaffirmed that Section 8 is a voluntary program and that landlords do not engage in housing discrimination when they decline to participate in Section 8 for non-discriminatory, business reasons.

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Court Reaffirms Section 8 Program as Voluntary

Successfully defeated demand for enforcement of non-compete agreement for a client in the food industry.

Defeat of Demand to Enforce Non-Compete

We obtained a defense verdict for Genesis Healthcare in a whistleblower case in Maine state court, in which the plaintiff, a registered nurse, alleged that she was terminated because she complained about what she claimed was an inadequate orientation that put patients at risk.

Defense Verdict in Whistleblower Case

Conducted due diligence regarding employment matters in connection with purchase of medical supply company.

Due Diligence on Employment Issues in M&A

Provide general employment advice and counsel to Unified Parking Partners, a Portland, Maine-based full service parking management company servicing all of New England.

Employment Advice to Unified Parking Partners

Drafted and negotiated an employment agreement for the new president of a large nonprofit organization in Massachusetts.

Employment Agreement for President of Nonprofit

Lead counsel in obtaining dismissal of employment claims against hotel operator in U.S. District Court in Boston.

Employment Claims Against Hotel Operator

Obtained dismissal of employment discrimination claims against a hotel management company.

Employment Discrimination at Hotel Management Company

General counsel for JAG Productions, Vermont’s first black theatre company.

General Counsel for Theatre Company

Pierce Atwood represented a large employer in extended negotiations with a newly installed labor union, and, as a result of our negotiation strategy, achieved the rare outcome of getting the union to walk away from our client’s workplace.

More
Labor Negotiations Lead Union to Walk Away

Maine Beer Co. has grown from a small “nano” brewery producing 100 barrels of beer a year to a thriving microbrewery producing over 4000 barrels a year. To support the surge in production they expanded their staff from two to 12 full-time people and moved into a brand new 11,000 square foot production facility. As the company has grown so have its legal needs and Pierce Atwood has been there to help.

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Maine Beer Co. Growth

Assist seafood processing companies with non-disclosure and non-compete agreements, and other general contractual and transactional matters.

NDAs and Non-Competes for Seafood Processing Companies

Performed a pay equity audit for a prominent private college in Massachusetts.

Pay Equity Audit for Massachusetts College

Resolved a wage and hour case before the Connecticut Department of Labor for a fraction of the initial penalty and back pay award.

Reduced Penalty in Wage and Hour Case