Clients look to Meg for help on a wide range of workplace disputes and seek her counsel when looking to minimize legal risks in connection with hiring, discipline and discharge, discrimination and harassment complaints, family medical leave requests, wage payment disputes and a wide variety of other employment issues.
Meg's clients include healthcare and educational institutions, financial services companies, insurance companies, manufacturers, social service agencies and hospitality and recreation facilities. With extensive experience in both employment litigation and advice and counsel work, Meg provides employers with sound, practical and timely advice coupled with efficient and effective advocacy in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. She also regularly presents workplace training programs for employers on a variety of issues, including unlawful harassment and discrimination, workplace diversity, performance management, accommodating disabilities, attendance and leave management and individual and group terminations.
Prior to arriving at Pierce Atwood in 1987, Meg practiced with the Labor and Employment group of a major Seattle law firm.
In addition to her employment work, Meg serves as general outside counsel to a number of independent schools and colleges, advising on such issues as student admissions, discipline and expulsions; accommodations for disabled students; faculty employment and advancement; tuition disputes, and access to educational records.
Meg also serves as general counsel to the Maine Principals' Association, which regulates interscholastic high school athletic and extracurricular competitions across the state.
Recent Experience
- Obtained judgment on behalf of employer in leading "caregiver" sex discrimination case in federal district court.
- Obtained favorable federal district court jury verdict for employer in ADA retaliation case.
- Obtained dismissal of an unfair labor practice charge against employer for discipline of employee for derogatory postings on Facebook.
- Advised clients on group reductions in force, including early retirement incentive options.
- Represented fast food restaurant chain in investigation by Department of Justice of pattern and practice immigration status discrimination.
- Advised Board of Directors of closely held company on termination and buyout of founder and CEO
Honors & Distinctions
Meg has an AV® Preeminent™ with
Martindale-Hubbell, is recognized as a Leader in Maine employment law in
Chambers USA and has been named to the list of
Super Lawyers in Employment and Labor for the State of Maine. She has also received recognition in
The Best Lawyers of America since 2006 and was named "Lawyer of the Year" for Labor and Employment Law in 2011 and "Lawyer of the Year" for Employment Law-Management in 2013. In 2003, Meg received the "Women of Achievement" award from the Cumberland County YWCA for her professional accomplishments and contributions to the community and in 2006 received the Unsung Hero Award through Family Crisis Services.
Professional Activities
Member, Judicial Advisory Committee, Maine Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), 2002- present
Civic Activities
Board of Trustees, Saint Joseph's Rehabilitation & Residence, 2009 to present
Board of Trustees, Chair, Opportunity Farm for Boys & Girls, 1995-2005
Board of Trustees, North Yarmouth Academy, 1995-2004
Board Member, Dartmouth Club of Maine, 2005 to present