Labor and Employment in Massachusetts: A Guide to Employment Laws, Regulations & Practices

JEFFREY L. HIRSCH PARTNER, HIRSCH ROBERTS WEINSTEIN LLP
jhirsch@hrwlawyers.com
One Liberty Square,  12th Floor
Boston, MA 02109 
(617) 348-4315

Jeff Hirsch is a founding partner of the boutique law firm of Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP which focuses on litigation, labor and employment. He has been practicing since 1982, and deals extensively in all areas of labor and employment law. This includes representing both union and nonunion employers in matters such as union organizing campaigns, labor negotiations labor arbitration, wrongful discharge, and sexual harassment cases. He has appeared before the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and other agencies. Mr. Hirsch was appointed by the governor in 1995 to the Advisory Board of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and continues to serve.

In 2005, Mr. Hirsch was elected a Fellow in The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, which is a non-profit professional associate honoring the leading lawyers nationwide in the practice of labor and employment law. Membership to the College is by invitation only reserved for those who have the highest level of character, integrity, professional expertise and leadership. Mr. Hirsch, who is ranked by both Chambers USA and the “Best Lawyers in America” as one of the top labor and employment lawyers in Massachusetts, has lectured and written extensively on employment topics. His books have included Labor and Employment in Massachusetts, Labor and Employment in Connecticut, Labor and Employment in New Hampshire, Labor and Employment in Rhode Island, and the Occupational Safety and Health Handbook, all published by LEXIS NEXIS. His books have been used by thousands of lawyers, human resources professionals, and managers.

Mr. Hirsch received his B.S. from the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and his J.D. from Boston University. He taught in Boston University’s M.B.A. program and is a Fellow in the school’s Human Resource Policy Institute.

Kathleen A. Berney PARTNER, HIRSCH ROBERTS WEINSTEIN LLP
kberney@hrwlawyers.com
One Liberty Square, 12th Floor
Boston, MA 02109 
617-348-4335

Kathleen A. Berney counsels clients on all aspects of the employment lifecycle up through the most challenging of workplace issues. She partners with clients to develop pragmatic, solution-focused strategies—whether that means preventive counseling or vigorous litigation defense. Ms. Berney represents employers in claims involving discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour violations, restrictive covenants, and other business disputes, appearing before administrative agencies and in state and federal courts. Ms. Berney also provides day-to-day labor relations counsel to employers. She represents employers in all stages of NLRB proceedings, from petitions and elections through collective bargaining negotiations. She also regularly handles unfair labor practice charges, grievances, and arbitrations. Ms. Berney’s practice includes conducting sensitive internal investigations and guiding companies through government and administrative agency inquiries. Ms. Berney currently serves as Chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s (MBA)’s Labor & Employment Section Council, is a Board Member of the International Network of Boutique Law Firms (and Vice President of its Boston chapter), and is a frequent presenter on employment law topics for both Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) and the Massachusetts Bar Association. Ms. Berney received her B.F.A. from New York University, Tisch School of Arts, and her J.D., magna cum laude, from Suffolk University Law School.