Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• Boston Bar Association (Labor and Employment Section)
• College of Labor & Employment Lawyers (Election as Fellow, 2011)
• Massachusetts Bar Association (Labor and Employment Section)

Representative Engagements

• Bullock et al. v. The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company et al., Case No. 04-04379 (Suffolk Superior Court, MA) (Rule 23 class action concerning eligibility of banquet captains to participate in service charge distribution under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Butcher et al. v. United Airlines, Inc. Case No. 1:09-CV-11681 (U.S. District Court, MA) (FLSA collective action concerning proper application of the tip credit to minimum wage obligations).
• DePina, et al. v. Marriott International, Inc., Case No. 03-5434 (Suffolk Superior Court, MA) (Rule 23 class action concerning eligibility of banquet captains to participate in service charge distribution under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Dilorio, et al. v. The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company et al., Case No. 07-0131 (Suffolk Superior Court, MA) (Rule 23 class action concerning eligibility of banquet captains to participate in service charge distribution under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Ellison, et al. v. NPS, Inc., Case No. 06-1577 (Middlesex Superior Court, MA) (Rule 23 class action challenging use and distribution of administrative fees for banquet operations under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Espinoza, et al. v. Zia Maria Restaurant, Inc. and Donato Frattaroli, Case No. 11-4138 (Suffolk Superior Court, MA) (Rule 23 class action concerning eligibility of banquet coordinator to participate in service charge distribution under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Friedlander, et al. v. The TJX Companies, Inc., Case No. 9:05-CV-80694 (S.D. Fl.) (FLSA collective action concerning misclassification claims of assistant store managers)
• Gaza, et al. v. South Shore Playhouse Associates, Case No. 05-2794 (Middlesex Superior Court, MA) (Rule 23 class action challenging distribution of gratuities from tip pool under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Hayes et al. v. Aramark and The Boston Red Sox, Case No. 08-0749 (Suffolk Superior Court) (Rule 23 class action challenging use and distribution of administrative fees for banquet operations under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Hernandez, et al. v. Hyatt Corporation, Case No. 05-0569 (Suffolk Superior Court, MA) (Rule 23 class action concerning eligibility of banquet captains to participate in service charge distribution under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Hough, et al. v. Select Restaurants, Inc., 05-1258 (Suffolk Superior Court, MA) (Rule 23 class action challenging distribution of service charges collected under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Jara et al. v.The Federalist, Inc., Bovine, LLC, d/b/a Mooo Restaurant, 15 Beacon Street Corp., and Paul Roiff, Case No. 08-1893 (Suffolk Superior Court, MA) (Rule 23 class action concerning ability of banquet coordinator to participate in service charge distribution under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Laughlin et al. v. Columbus Restaurant Group, LLC d/bla Columbus Hospitality Group, Jamie Mammano, and Paul Roiff, Case No. 12-3626-H (Suffolk Superior Court) (Rule 23 class action alleging violation of Massachusetts Tip Statute and Minimum Wage law).
• Lucas et al. v. Ultima Framingham LLC and Ultima Skokie Management, LLC d/bla Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center, Case No. 12-4529 (Middlesex Superior Court) (Rule 23 class action alleging violation of the Massachusetts Tip Statute and Minimum Wage Law)
• Malinski et al. v. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. et al.,Case No. 1:08-CV-11859 (D. Mass.) (Rule 23 class action alleging violation of Massachusetts Tip Statute, Minimum Wage Law and common law claims)
• Masiello, et al. v. Marriott International, Inc., Case No. 06-05109 (Suffolk Superior Court, MA) (Rule 23 class action concerning eligibility of banquet captains to participate in service charge distribution under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Masiello, et al. v. Marriott International, Inc., Case No. 08-4036 (Suffolk Superior Court, MA) (Rule 23 class action concerning distribution of service charges to room service employees)
• McCandless et al. v. Staples, Inc., Case No. 1:07-CV-11850 RCL (U.S. District Court, MA) (FLSA collective action concerning misclassification claims of senior product sales specialists)
• Michalek, et al. v. The Boston Palm Corporation, Case No. 03-1334 (Suffolk Superior Court, MA) (Rule 23 class action concerning eligibility of banquet coordinator to participate in service charge distribution under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Miyasato et al. v. Hyatt Corporation and Goldman Sachs & Co.,, Civil Action No. 11-1-2596-10 (Rule 23 class action alleging violation of the Hawaii Tip Statute and Unfair Competition Statute)
• Myles-Thomas, et al. v. TJMaxx, Case No. 1:06-CV-1100 (W.D. Tenn.) (off-the-clock work) (FLSA collective action concerning off-the-clock work and meal break violations)
• Pierce et al. v. Intercontinental Hotels Group Resources, Inc., Case No. 11-3200 (Suffolk Superior Court, MA) (Rule 23 class action challenging service charge distribution under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Plenty et al. v. The TJX Companies, Inc., Case No. 2:07-CV-1656 (N.D. Ala.) (FLSA collective action concerning misclassification claim of merchandise managers)
• Ramsey et al. v. McCormick and Schmicks, Case No. Case No. 09-1846 (Suffolk Superior Court, MA) (defense of Rule 23 class action challenging tip pooling practices and use of tip credit to pay less than minimum wage)
• Reid, et al. v. The TJX Companies, Inc., Case No. 04-CV-1247 (N.D. Ill.) (FLSA collective action and state law class action concerning off-the-clock work and meal break violations)
• Ruiz, et al. v. Mardi Gras Entertainment, Inc. et al., Case No. 10-00034 (Hampden Superior Court, MA) (Rule 23 class action challenging independent contractor statutes of exotic dancers under G.L. c. 149, § 148B and other pay practices under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Sheehan, et al.v. Marriott International, Inc., Case No. 08-1342 (Essex Superior Court) (Rule 23 class action concerning eligibility of banquet captains to participate in service charge distribution under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Smith et al. v. Kawailoa Development LLP d/b/a Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa and Hyatt Corporation, Civil Action No. 11-00350 (U.S. District Court, HI) (Rule 23 class action removed to federal court alleging violation of the Hawaii Tip Statute and Unfair Competition Statute)
• Verdone, et al. v. Walgreen Eastern Co., Inc., Civil Action No. 06-01613 (Norfolk Superior Court) (Rule 23 class action alleging violations of Massachusetts wage and hour laws, including the “Blue Laws,” and common law claims)
• Walsh, et al. v. Foxy Lady, et al., Civil Action 10-1616 (Plymouth Superior Court) (Rule 23 class action challenging independent contractor status of exotic dancers under G.L. c. 149 § 148B and other pay practices under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Williamson, et al. v. DT Management d/b/a Boston Harbor Hotel, Case No. 02-01824 (Middlesex Superior Court, MA) (Rule 23 class action concerning eligibility of catering and banquet personnel to participate in service charge distribution under Massachusetts Tip Statute)
• Wood, et al. v. ZC Management LLC et al., Case No. 3:07-30076 (U.S.D.C., MA) (Rule 23 class action removed to federal court alleging violations of the Massachusetts Tip Statute and Payment of Wages law)

Representative Other Cases

• Boston Restaurant Associates v. Power et al., Case No. 07-01495 (Essex Superior Court, MA) (complex multi-party sexual harassment case)
• Cuddyer v. Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, Case No. 97-01816 (Norfolk Superior Court, MA) (complex single plaintiff sexual harassment case)
• Cherrette v. Staples, Inc., Case No. 10-CV-777 (Merrimack Superior Court, NH) (New Hampshire Whistleblower protection case)
• Day v. Staples, Inc., Appeal No. 08-1689 (U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit) (successful appeal of summary judgment dismissal of complex Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower protection case)
• Fuhrmann v. Staples, Inc., Case No. Yor-11-551 (Maine Supreme Judicial Court) (appeal from summary judgment dismissal of Maine Whistleblower Protection case)
• Martignetti v. Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, Case No. 99-4921 (Suffolk Superior Court, MA) (complex single plaintiff national origin discrimination case)
• Noonan v. Staples, Inc., Appeal No. 07-2159 (U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit) (successful appeal from summary judgment dismissal of complex breach of Stock Option Agreement and defamation case)
• Sheehan et. al v. Marriott International, Inc., Appeal No. 10-P-1306 (Commonwealth of Massachusetts Appeals Court) (successful appeal from third party motion to intervene)
• Skidmore v. W.R. Grace, Case No. 03-2679 (Middlesex Superior Court, MA) (non-compete and non-solicitation case)
   

Presentations

• Co-Chair American Conference Institute’s 14th National Forum on Wage & Hour Claims and Class Actions (January 2012)
• “Employment & Labor Law,” MCLE Basics Plus Program (2010, 2011)
• “Independent Contractor v. Employee,” MCLE Program (2010, 2011, 2012)
• “Regulation of Unpaid Internships:  The Uncertain Future,” The George Washington University Center for Civil Engagement and Public Service (2010)
• “Litigating Wage & Hour Cases”, MCLE Program (2009, 2010, 2012)
• “New Massachusetts Wage & Hour Treble Damages Law:  Litigation Avoidance is the First Line of Defense,” The Greater Boston Hotel Human Resources Association (2008)
• “Wage and Hour Issues for Complex Workplace,” Boston Bar Association (2008)
• “Chapter 80 of the Acts of 2008 – Implications to Your Practice and Business Operations,” New England Labor Counsel (2008)
• “Winning Damages Claims in Employment Litigation,” Boston Bar Association (2006)
• “The Americans with Disability Act,” The Greater Boston Hotel Human Resources Association (2006)
• “Hot Topics in Employment Law,” New England Corporate Counsel Association, Inc. (2005)
• “Hot Topics in Employment Law,” Massachusetts Restaurant Association Foodservice and Lodging Exposition (2002-2003)
• “New Developments in U.S. Labor, Employment and Investigation Law,” Government of Israel Economic Office in New England (2002)
• “Legal Issues Series:  Wrongful Termination,” Massachusetts Software Council (1999)

Publications

• Co-Author, “First Circuit Upholds Massachusetts Mandatory Treble Damages Law, Affirms Class Certification, and Interprets Tip Pooling Law, “ Seyfarth Shaw LLP - One Minute Memo (November 14, 2012)
• Co-Author, “Transgender Issues in the Workplace,”Employment Law Strategist (September 2012)
• Co-Author, “Employer Rights and Responsibilities:  Monitoring Employee Communication in the Workplace,” Insights Magazine (Winter 2011)
• Co-Author, “Top 10 Whistleblower Cases of 2010,” featured in NACD Directorship.com (January 14, 2011)
• Co-Author, “Winter Wonderland:  Tips for Supplementing Your Workforce with Seasonal Employees,” Seyfarth Shaw Management Alert, featured inBloomberg Law Reports (December 6, 2010)
• Co-Author, “Technology and Privacy in the Workplace:  Monitoring Employee Communications After The Supreme Court’s Quon Decision,”Boston Bar Journal (Fall 2010).
• “Strategies for Avoiding or Defending ADA ‘Drive-by’ Lawsuits,” NY Restaurant Insider (January 2006)
• Co-Author, “Does New Tip Statute in MA Solve this Problem,” Food Service East (Spring/Summer 2005)

Recognitions

• Chambers & Partners, Chambers USA/America’s Leading Business Lawyers; Massachusetts Management Employment Lawyers (2006-2012)
• Massachusetts/New England Super Lawyer (2005, 2007-2012)