Lisa J.Damon
Partner
Labor & Employment
ldamon@seyfarth.com
"To me, it's about listening—meeting a client or team at whatever stage they are in and finding affinity with them. What do they need? How can we help? What is their value story? What can we tap into to help create what's often a revolutionary change?"
More About Lisa
Companies nationwide rely on Lisa's significant experience in consulting on workplace law issues and litigating a broad range of employment matters. As a trial lawyer and seasoned employment litigator, Lisa brings many years of experience winning for her clients at all stages of litigation. She is a practical, business-focused advisor, getting results and limiting risk for her clients. Her practice has a particular emphasis on workplace assessments and litigating discrimination and harassment claims.
A recognized pioneer in the transformation of the legal industry, Lisa was among the first at Seyfarth to break new ground in service model innovation. Lisa played a critical role in the firm's earliest experiments with Lean Six Sigma, which have evolved into a disciplined approach to client service and law department transformation. Since then, she's gone on to lead countless legal teams in the application of Lean principles to client matters and law department practices, winning a multitude of awards and client praise along the way.
Lisa's practice is also dedicated to consulting with clients on workplace optimization, policy implementation, and avoiding employment litigation, through improved management policies and practices, positive employee relations, training, and diversity assessment. She advises companies on organizational strategy and conducts privileged investigations, audits, and assessments of the workplace. Lisa also works with management to devise and refine all types of workplace programs, helping companies create a best-in-class environment for employees.
Lisa is immediate past chair of the firm's national Labor & Employment department and was a member of Seyfarth’s Executive Committee and Compensation Committee for many years. She has been a tireless advocate for client value, helping the organization bring innovative practice disciplines and tools to clients across a broad platform of legal services such as real estate, litigation, employment, benefits, and corporate transactions. As a longstanding ambassador for SeyfarthLean and trusted advisor to forward-thinking corporate counsel, Lisa works closely with teams across Seyfarth on client outreach and advocacy.
Lisa was one of the founding partners of Seyfarth's Boston office, which opened in 1999 with seven lawyers. Today, the office is home to more than 100 lawyers, representing our expanding client base in real estate, corporate, litigation, employee benefits, and labor and employment law.
Lisa speaks extensively, both on a local and national level, on various aspects of diversity, employee engagement, employment law, employment litigation, investigations, workplace culture, and the use of Lean Six Sigma in legal processes. Lisa is widely recognized both for her knowledge of employment law and her work leading innovation in the legal industry. She has won numerous awards and recognition for her substantive employment work, including being Chambers Band One ranked (2019-2020, 2023-2024) being named as one of the Most Powerful Employment Attorneys in the nation by Human Resource Executive Magazine and Lawdragon (2010-2019); and being honored in 2012 by Chambers USA as the Woman Employment Attorney of the Year. Lisa has also been recognized repeatedly for her client service and for her continuous work in legal innovation. She has been named one of the top 10 Agents of Change in the Financial Times U.S. Innovative Lawyer Report (2012); was featured among the 10 most innovative attorneys in the country by the ABA Journal's "Legal Rebels: Big Change in Big Law" in 2011; and was recognized by the Association of Corporate Counsel as a two-time ACC Value Champion (2012, 2018).
A recognized pioneer in the transformation of the legal industry, Lisa was among the first at Seyfarth to break new ground in service model innovation. Lisa played a critical role in the firm's earliest experiments with Lean Six Sigma, which have evolved into a disciplined approach to client service and law department transformation. Since then, she's gone on to lead countless legal teams in the application of Lean principles to client matters and law department practices, winning a multitude of awards and client praise along the way.
Lisa's practice is also dedicated to consulting with clients on workplace optimization, policy implementation, and avoiding employment litigation, through improved management policies and practices, positive employee relations, training, and diversity assessment. She advises companies on organizational strategy and conducts privileged investigations, audits, and assessments of the workplace. Lisa also works with management to devise and refine all types of workplace programs, helping companies create a best-in-class environment for employees.
Lisa is immediate past chair of the firm's national Labor & Employment department and was a member of Seyfarth’s Executive Committee and Compensation Committee for many years. She has been a tireless advocate for client value, helping the organization bring innovative practice disciplines and tools to clients across a broad platform of legal services such as real estate, litigation, employment, benefits, and corporate transactions. As a longstanding ambassador for SeyfarthLean and trusted advisor to forward-thinking corporate counsel, Lisa works closely with teams across Seyfarth on client outreach and advocacy.
Lisa was one of the founding partners of Seyfarth's Boston office, which opened in 1999 with seven lawyers. Today, the office is home to more than 100 lawyers, representing our expanding client base in real estate, corporate, litigation, employee benefits, and labor and employment law.
Lisa speaks extensively, both on a local and national level, on various aspects of diversity, employee engagement, employment law, employment litigation, investigations, workplace culture, and the use of Lean Six Sigma in legal processes. Lisa is widely recognized both for her knowledge of employment law and her work leading innovation in the legal industry. She has won numerous awards and recognition for her substantive employment work, including being Chambers Band One ranked (2019-2020, 2023-2024) being named as one of the Most Powerful Employment Attorneys in the nation by Human Resource Executive Magazine and Lawdragon (2010-2019); and being honored in 2012 by Chambers USA as the Woman Employment Attorney of the Year. Lisa has also been recognized repeatedly for her client service and for her continuous work in legal innovation. She has been named one of the top 10 Agents of Change in the Financial Times U.S. Innovative Lawyer Report (2012); was featured among the 10 most innovative attorneys in the country by the ABA Journal's "Legal Rebels: Big Change in Big Law" in 2011; and was recognized by the Association of Corporate Counsel as a two-time ACC Value Champion (2012, 2018).
- JD, Fordham University School of Law
- MS, Fordham University
- BA, Beloit College
Certifications
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
- Certified Scrum Master
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- US District Court, District of Connecticut
- US District Court, District of Massachusetts
Related Key Industries
- Holt v. KMI Continental, 95 F.3d 123 (2d Cir.) (defense of race discrimination claims brought by in house counsel; affirmed summary judgment for employer)
- Cummings v. Standard Register, 265 F.3d 56 (1st Cir.) (defense of claims by a former employee alleging age discrimination in violation of Massachusetts law)
- Scott v. Sulzer Carbomedics, et al., Case No. 01-1640, (1st Cir.) (defense of claims by an employee alleging discrimination, breach of contract, libel, and slander; affirmed the district court’s granting of summary judgment in favor of the employer)
- Tobin v.Liberty Mutual, Case No. 07-1764,(1st Cir.) (defense of claims by an employee alleging wrongful termination and unlawful age and handicapped discrimination)
- Grace Cuddyer v. Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, 434 Mass. 521; 750 N.E.2d 928 (defense of sexual harassment claims)
- Andrews v. Arkwright Mut. Ins. Co., 423 Mass. 1021, 673 N.E.2d 40 (the Supreme Judicial Court dismissed employee claims on statutue of limitations grounds)
- Mary Sullivan & another v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., 444 Mass. 34; 825 N.E.2d 522 (the Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the summary judgment in favor of the defendant)
- Tardanico v. Aetna Life & Cas. Co., 41 Mass.App.Ct. 443, 671 N.E.2d (the Massachusetts Appeals Court affirmed summary judgment in favor of the employer in an age discrimination case)
- Chukwurah v.Stop & Shop Supermarket Co., et al, Case No. 06-cv-1067 (D. Conn.) (defense of claims by an employee alleging retaliatory discharge and employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin and age)
- Hannah v. Sherwin Williams, Case No. 91-cv-30194 (D. Mass.) (defense of claims for sex discrimination)
- Maurice v. Save the Children, Case No. 93-cv-1087 (D. Conn.) (defense of claims for race discrimination)
- Schiel, et al. v. Stop & Shop Co., Case No. 96-cv-1742, (D. Conn.) (defense of claims for sex discrimination)
- Daniels v. Stop & Shop, et al., Case No. 96-cv-0841 (D. Conn.) (defense of claims for sex discrimination)
- Lucarelli v. Stop & Shop, et al., Case No. 98-cv-1308 (D. Conn.) (defense of claims for sex discrimination)
- Mayo v. The Golub Corporation, et al., Case No. 02-cv-40118 (D. Mass.) (defense of claims for sex discrimination)
- Beardsley-Spiegel, et al. v. Viola, et al., Case No. 91-cv-0234 (D. Conn.) (defense of claims for sexual harassment)
- Letendre v. Cove Management, et al., Case No. 02-cv-30130 (D. Mass.) (defense of claims by an employee alleging wrongful termination in violation of the ADA)
- Rosemond v. Stop and Shop Supermarket Company, 456 F. Supp. 2d 204 (D. Mass) (defense of claims by an employee alleging racial discrimination)
- Barrientos v. Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., et al., Case No. 06-cv-10757 (D. Mass.) (defense of claims by an employee alleging wrongful termination and discrimination)
- Dahdah v. Kiewit Construction, Case No. 99-cv-12615 (D. Mass.) (defense of claims by employee alleging disability discrimination)
- Kinan v. Prudential Financial, et al., Case No. 00-cv-12225 (D. Mass.) (defense of claims by an employee alleging age and handicapped discrimination)
- Donovan-Rizzo v. Delta Air Lines, Inc., 25 MDLR 284, 291 (administrative trial on claims of sex discrimination)
- Andrade v. Stop and Shop Supermarket, Inc., 23 MDLR 213, 225 (administrative trial on claims of national origin discrimination)
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Related News & Insights
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Sponsored Events
Oct 28, 2024
Seyfarth to Co-Host Biotech Organizational & Leadership Development (BOLD) Summit in Boston on October 28, 2024
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Recognition
10/09/2024
Seyfarth Honored as ACC’s 2024 Outstanding Network Sponsor of the Year
-
Recognition
09/23/2024
11 Seyfarth Attorneys Selected as 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers and Two Others as Hall of Famers
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
- Recognized as one of the "Top 500 Leading US Corporate Employment Lawyers" by Lawdragon (2020-2022, 2025); Lawdragon Hall of Fame (2022, 2025)
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Employment Law - Management; Labor Law - Management (2011-2025), Litigation - Labor and Employment (2006–2025)
- Recognized as a Leading Lawyer for Workplace and Employment Counseling by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2019-2024)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2015–2024)
- Recognized as an "Eminent Practitioner" Labor & Employment (Massachusetts) (2017-2018); Band 1 for Labor & Employment (Massachusetts) (2019-2020, 2023-2024); and Band 2 for Labor & Employment (Massachusetts) (2021-2022) by Chambers USA (2002–2023)
- Ranked Band 3 for Labour & Employment (USA) by Chambers Global (2015-2018, 2022)
- Named to the list of "Top Lawyers" by Boston Magazine (2021)
- Honored by The American Registry as one of the "Top 50 Women Attorneys In Massachusetts" (2021)
- Recognized for Labor & Employment (Boston) by Chambers Global (2021)
- Named a "Go To Employment Attorney" by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (2021)
- Recognized as one of the "Top 50 Women Attorneys in Massachusetts" by Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) (2021)
- Recognized as a "Labor & Employment Star" by Benchmark Litigation (Euromoney Institutional Investor) (2020-2021, 2023)
- Recognized as "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers in America for Employment Law - Management (Woodward/White Inc.) (2017, 2019, 2021)
- Listed in Massachusetts Super Lawyers for Employment & Labor Law (Thomson Reuters) (2004–2021)
- Recognized as a "Client Service All Star" by BTI Consulting (2019)
- Named to the Top 100 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys by Human Resource Executive Magazine and Lawdragon (2010-2019)
- Global Counsel Handbook – Labour and Employee Benefits (Thomson Reuters) (2002-2019)
- Awarded American Association of Corporate Counsel Value Champion (2012 & 2018)
- Named Employment Lawyer of the Year by Chambers USA at the Women in Law Awards (2012)
- ABA Journal, Legal Rebels: Big Change in Big Law, "Making It Lean" (selected as one of the 10 most innovative attorneys in the country (September 2011 edition)
- Chair of Seyfarth’s 450-attorney Labor & Employment Department (2009-2018)
- Seyfarth Boston Office Founder & Managing Partner (1999-2009)
- Seyfarth Executive Committee & Compensation Committee (2010-2018)
- Litigation Counsel of America (Senior Fellow)
- Diversity Law Institute (Member)
- Trial Law Institute (Member)
- College of Law Practice Management (Elected as Fellow, 2013)
- College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (Elected as Fellow, 2009)
- American Bar Association
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Boston Bar Association
- Greater Boston Legal Services (Board Member 1996 – 1999)
- Women's Bar Association
- Co-Author, "Be Agile! Thought Leaders at Seyfarth are Revolutionizing the Delivery of Legal Services," Law Practice Magazine (July 7, 2015)
- "Employer Commentator on Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination - Administrative Law Decisions, Massachusetts Discrimination Law Reporter," Landlaw Specialty Publishers (1996-present)
- "Hot Topics in Diversity," ABA Section of Labor & Employment Law, Employment Rights & Responsibilities Committee, Mid-Winter Meeting (2002)
- Multiple publications for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education programs, the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Boston Bar Association newsletters and programs
- Co-Presenter, "Seyfarth Inclusion & Diversity Webinar Series: Creating Meaningful Change: Building Effective Inclusion Programs - Part One," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 4, 2020)
- “The Future of Legal Service Delivery” Legalweek (New York 2019)
- “Big Thinkers Session” Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC) (2017)
- “What Truly Impacts Buying Decisions?” Driving Value in Inside/Outside Counsel Relationships, presented by the ARK Group, Chicago, IL (May 16, 2013)
- “Process Improvement and Project Management,” Driving Value in Inside/Outside Counsel Relationships, presented by The Association of Corporate Counsel, Philadelphia, PA (May 1, 2013)
- “The Evolution of Business Analytics at Seyfarth Shaw,” Business Intelligence and Analytics in the Legal Profession, presented by the Ark Group, New York, NY (April 18, 2013)
- “Process Improvement and Project Management,” Driving Value in Inside/Outside Counsel Relationships, presented by The Association of Corporate Counsel, San Francisco, CA (February 27, 2013)
- 3rd Annual Controlling Legal Costs Conference, "Re-engineering the Legal Department," Corporate Counsel magazine (2011)
- 7th Annual Knowledge Management in the Legal Profession Conference, "Leveraging Technology and Process Reengineering from the Perspective of Client Value," Ark Group/Managing Partner Magazine (2011)
- 2011 Futures Conference, "What is the Future of Price: Defining Value in Value Billing," College of Law Practice Management/Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law (2011)
- Value-Based Fee Arrangements & Legal Services Logistics, "Dealing with unintended consequences and overcoming resistance to change as law firms aim to fundamentally alter the way they do business," Ark Group/Managing Partner Magazine (2011)
- TyMetrix Annual Executive Advisory Summit, "Transforming the Law Firm," Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services/TyMetrix (2011)
- Practice Group Strategy & Execution 2011 - "What's Right for Your Client is Right for Your Business: Buy-In and Reconciling Efficiency with Profitability," Ark Group/Managing Partner Magazine's 5th Annual Practice Group Leadership Forum (2011)
- ACC Value Challenge Master Classes - Legal Services Management - Driving Value in Inside/Outside Counsel Relationships - "Process Management & Staffing Decisions," Association of Corporate Counsel (2011)
- Welcome to the Future: Trends in the Delivery of Corporate Legal Services, Panelist: "Value: How do we define it? How do we measure it?" - Center for the Study of the Legal Profession, Georgetown University Law Center/Association of Corporate Counsel (2011)
- Overcoming Lawyers' Resistance to Change, "Transforming Six Sigma Into a Law Firm Value Initiative," Ark Group/Managing Partner Magazine (2011)
- Non-traditional Approaches to Law Firm Services: Welcome to a New World, Where Competitors Collaborate, Project and Process Management Rule, and Disaggregation Leads to Value, Controlling Legal Costs, ALM Corporate Counsel (2010)
- Outside Counsel Management: Staffing the Work for Value-Based Fee Structures, Association of Corporate Counsel 2010 Annual Meeting (2010)
- Employment Law Update, Practical Advice for Employers, New England Corporate Counsel Association, Inc. (2010)
- SeyfarthLean: An Evolving Legal Services Model, Royal Bank of Canada General Counsel Law Conference (2010)
- Value-Based Billing: ACC Value Challenge, 2010 Lawtrac Users Conference (2010)
- Six Sigma in the House, Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Law Council Spring Meeting (2010)
- The Slow Motion Riot: Revolutionizing Law Department Cost Management, Association of Corporate Counsel 2009 Annual Meeting (2009)
- Six Sigma in the House, Controlling Legal Costs, ALM General Counsel Conference (2009)
- Employment Law Trial Skills MasterClass, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Co-Chair (2007-2009)
- Association of Corporate Counsel Value Challenge Launch, Faculty (2008)
- Labor and Employment Law Trends in 2008, Ahold USA presentation to Legal Team (2008)
- When Does a Negotiator’s Gender Matter? Boston University, Guest Lecturer (2007, 2008)
- Employment Law Workshop, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (2005-2007)
- MBA Roundtable - Employees with Mental Disabilities: Rights and Challenges in the Workplace, Massachusetts Bar Association (2007)
- Multigenerational Workforces: How to Successfully (and Legally) Manage Millennials, Boomers and Everything in Between, Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA) Workshop (2007)
- Employment and Labor Law - MCLE BasicsPlus, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (2004, 2006, 2007)
- Communicating in a High-Tech World: What You Need to Know to Avoid a Lawsuit, Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA) Workshop (2006)
- Employment Law 2006: Big Decisions, Major Trends and What’s Ahead for 2007, Massachusetts Medical Society presentation (2006)
- Developing and Retaining Talent: Working Across Generations, National Council for Research on Women, Global Leadership and Diversity Forum (2006)
- Is Your Consultant Really an Employee?, Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA) Workshop (2005)
- Top Ten Ways to Avoid Discrimination Class Actions, New England Corporate Counsel Association, Inc. (2005)
- Annual Employment Law Conference, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (1999, 2004, 2005)
- MBA Panel Discussion - Termination of Employees in Closely-Held Businesses, Massachusetts Bar Association (2004)
- Employment and Labor Law Basics, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (2000-2003)
- ADA, FMLA and Workers’ Compensation, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (1999)
- Disability Under the ADA, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (1999)
- Taking Depositions Workshop, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (1997)
- Defamation Claims in the Workplace, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (1997)
- Employment Discrimination Update, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (1994)
- Quoted, "'We Really Haven't Had a Heart-to-Heart': GCs Who Fume About Outside Counsel Often Fail to Communicate," Law.com (December 8, 2022)
“Market forces ‘have the greatest regard’ for litigator and trial counsel Lisa Damon’s coverage of the complete spectrum of employment issues. ‘She is outstanding,’ remarks a client, adding: “She combines an exhaustive knowledge of the law with deep experience and a pragmatic approach to legal problems.’” —From Chambers USA (2019)
“Lisa Damon in Boston has ‘detailed knowledge of the law and is pragmatic and unfailingly responsive.’” From Legal 500 (2019)
“Lisa is a superstar; she’s practical, experienced and strategic. She’s responsive and always available. She has no weakness. Both understand complex organizations.” —From Chambers Confidential (2019)
“She is outstanding. She combines exhaustive knowledge of the law with deep experience and a pragmatic approach to legal problems. Lisa listens well and has sufficient confidence in her own judgment to recommend a course of action appropriate to the circumstances rather than just recite the law and present options to her client.” —From Chambers Confidential (2019)
“She has a very good reputation, and a high degree of integrity. She is well-known and speaks frequently.” —From Chambers Confidential by a Market Commentator (2019)
“I’ve had several litigation and negotiated transactional deals on executive deals with her, and I was very impressed by her.” —From Chambers Confidential by a Market Commentator (2019)
"To me, it's about listening—meeting a client or team at whatever stage they are in and finding affinity with them. What do they need? How can we help? What is their value story? What can we tap into to help create what's often a revolutionary change?"
More About Lisa
Companies nationwide rely on Lisa's significant experience in consulting on workplace law issues and litigating a broad range of employment matters. As a trial lawyer and seasoned employment litigator, Lisa brings many years of experience winning for her clients at all stages of litigation. She is a practical, business-focused advisor, getting results and limiting risk for her clients. Her practice has a particular emphasis on workplace assessments and litigating discrimination and harassment claims.
A recognized pioneer in the transformation of the legal industry, Lisa was among the first at Seyfarth to break new ground in service model innovation. Lisa played a critical role in the firm's earliest experiments with Lean Six Sigma, which have evolved into a disciplined approach to client service and law department transformation. Since then, she's gone on to lead countless legal teams in the application of Lean principles to client matters and law department practices, winning a multitude of awards and client praise along the way.
Lisa's practice is also dedicated to consulting with clients on workplace optimization, policy implementation, and avoiding employment litigation, through improved management policies and practices, positive employee relations, training, and diversity assessment. She advises companies on organizational strategy and conducts privileged investigations, audits, and assessments of the workplace. Lisa also works with management to devise and refine all types of workplace programs, helping companies create a best-in-class environment for employees.
Lisa is immediate past chair of the firm's national Labor & Employment department and was a member of Seyfarth’s Executive Committee and Compensation Committee for many years. She has been a tireless advocate for client value, helping the organization bring innovative practice disciplines and tools to clients across a broad platform of legal services such as real estate, litigation, employment, benefits, and corporate transactions. As a longstanding ambassador for SeyfarthLean and trusted advisor to forward-thinking corporate counsel, Lisa works closely with teams across Seyfarth on client outreach and advocacy.
Lisa was one of the founding partners of Seyfarth's Boston office, which opened in 1999 with seven lawyers. Today, the office is home to more than 100 lawyers, representing our expanding client base in real estate, corporate, litigation, employee benefits, and labor and employment law.
Lisa speaks extensively, both on a local and national level, on various aspects of diversity, employee engagement, employment law, employment litigation, investigations, workplace culture, and the use of Lean Six Sigma in legal processes. Lisa is widely recognized both for her knowledge of employment law and her work leading innovation in the legal industry. She has won numerous awards and recognition for her substantive employment work, including being Chambers Band One ranked (2019-2020, 2023-2024) being named as one of the Most Powerful Employment Attorneys in the nation by Human Resource Executive Magazine and Lawdragon (2010-2019); and being honored in 2012 by Chambers USA as the Woman Employment Attorney of the Year. Lisa has also been recognized repeatedly for her client service and for her continuous work in legal innovation. She has been named one of the top 10 Agents of Change in the Financial Times U.S. Innovative Lawyer Report (2012); was featured among the 10 most innovative attorneys in the country by the ABA Journal's "Legal Rebels: Big Change in Big Law" in 2011; and was recognized by the Association of Corporate Counsel as a two-time ACC Value Champion (2012, 2018).
A recognized pioneer in the transformation of the legal industry, Lisa was among the first at Seyfarth to break new ground in service model innovation. Lisa played a critical role in the firm's earliest experiments with Lean Six Sigma, which have evolved into a disciplined approach to client service and law department transformation. Since then, she's gone on to lead countless legal teams in the application of Lean principles to client matters and law department practices, winning a multitude of awards and client praise along the way.
Lisa's practice is also dedicated to consulting with clients on workplace optimization, policy implementation, and avoiding employment litigation, through improved management policies and practices, positive employee relations, training, and diversity assessment. She advises companies on organizational strategy and conducts privileged investigations, audits, and assessments of the workplace. Lisa also works with management to devise and refine all types of workplace programs, helping companies create a best-in-class environment for employees.
Lisa is immediate past chair of the firm's national Labor & Employment department and was a member of Seyfarth’s Executive Committee and Compensation Committee for many years. She has been a tireless advocate for client value, helping the organization bring innovative practice disciplines and tools to clients across a broad platform of legal services such as real estate, litigation, employment, benefits, and corporate transactions. As a longstanding ambassador for SeyfarthLean and trusted advisor to forward-thinking corporate counsel, Lisa works closely with teams across Seyfarth on client outreach and advocacy.
Lisa was one of the founding partners of Seyfarth's Boston office, which opened in 1999 with seven lawyers. Today, the office is home to more than 100 lawyers, representing our expanding client base in real estate, corporate, litigation, employee benefits, and labor and employment law.
Lisa speaks extensively, both on a local and national level, on various aspects of diversity, employee engagement, employment law, employment litigation, investigations, workplace culture, and the use of Lean Six Sigma in legal processes. Lisa is widely recognized both for her knowledge of employment law and her work leading innovation in the legal industry. She has won numerous awards and recognition for her substantive employment work, including being Chambers Band One ranked (2019-2020, 2023-2024) being named as one of the Most Powerful Employment Attorneys in the nation by Human Resource Executive Magazine and Lawdragon (2010-2019); and being honored in 2012 by Chambers USA as the Woman Employment Attorney of the Year. Lisa has also been recognized repeatedly for her client service and for her continuous work in legal innovation. She has been named one of the top 10 Agents of Change in the Financial Times U.S. Innovative Lawyer Report (2012); was featured among the 10 most innovative attorneys in the country by the ABA Journal's "Legal Rebels: Big Change in Big Law" in 2011; and was recognized by the Association of Corporate Counsel as a two-time ACC Value Champion (2012, 2018).
- JD, Fordham University School of Law
- MS, Fordham University
- BA, Beloit College
Certifications
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
- Certified Scrum Master
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- US District Court, District of Connecticut
- US District Court, District of Massachusetts
Related Key Industries
- Holt v. KMI Continental, 95 F.3d 123 (2d Cir.) (defense of race discrimination claims brought by in house counsel; affirmed summary judgment for employer)
- Cummings v. Standard Register, 265 F.3d 56 (1st Cir.) (defense of claims by a former employee alleging age discrimination in violation of Massachusetts law)
- Scott v. Sulzer Carbomedics, et al., Case No. 01-1640, (1st Cir.) (defense of claims by an employee alleging discrimination, breach of contract, libel, and slander; affirmed the district court’s granting of summary judgment in favor of the employer)
- Tobin v.Liberty Mutual, Case No. 07-1764,(1st Cir.) (defense of claims by an employee alleging wrongful termination and unlawful age and handicapped discrimination)
- Grace Cuddyer v. Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, 434 Mass. 521; 750 N.E.2d 928 (defense of sexual harassment claims)
- Andrews v. Arkwright Mut. Ins. Co., 423 Mass. 1021, 673 N.E.2d 40 (the Supreme Judicial Court dismissed employee claims on statutue of limitations grounds)
- Mary Sullivan & another v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., 444 Mass. 34; 825 N.E.2d 522 (the Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the summary judgment in favor of the defendant)
- Tardanico v. Aetna Life & Cas. Co., 41 Mass.App.Ct. 443, 671 N.E.2d (the Massachusetts Appeals Court affirmed summary judgment in favor of the employer in an age discrimination case)
- Chukwurah v.Stop & Shop Supermarket Co., et al, Case No. 06-cv-1067 (D. Conn.) (defense of claims by an employee alleging retaliatory discharge and employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin and age)
- Hannah v. Sherwin Williams, Case No. 91-cv-30194 (D. Mass.) (defense of claims for sex discrimination)
- Maurice v. Save the Children, Case No. 93-cv-1087 (D. Conn.) (defense of claims for race discrimination)
- Schiel, et al. v. Stop & Shop Co., Case No. 96-cv-1742, (D. Conn.) (defense of claims for sex discrimination)
- Daniels v. Stop & Shop, et al., Case No. 96-cv-0841 (D. Conn.) (defense of claims for sex discrimination)
- Lucarelli v. Stop & Shop, et al., Case No. 98-cv-1308 (D. Conn.) (defense of claims for sex discrimination)
- Mayo v. The Golub Corporation, et al., Case No. 02-cv-40118 (D. Mass.) (defense of claims for sex discrimination)
- Beardsley-Spiegel, et al. v. Viola, et al., Case No. 91-cv-0234 (D. Conn.) (defense of claims for sexual harassment)
- Letendre v. Cove Management, et al., Case No. 02-cv-30130 (D. Mass.) (defense of claims by an employee alleging wrongful termination in violation of the ADA)
- Rosemond v. Stop and Shop Supermarket Company, 456 F. Supp. 2d 204 (D. Mass) (defense of claims by an employee alleging racial discrimination)
- Barrientos v. Liberty Mutual Group, Inc., et al., Case No. 06-cv-10757 (D. Mass.) (defense of claims by an employee alleging wrongful termination and discrimination)
- Dahdah v. Kiewit Construction, Case No. 99-cv-12615 (D. Mass.) (defense of claims by employee alleging disability discrimination)
- Kinan v. Prudential Financial, et al., Case No. 00-cv-12225 (D. Mass.) (defense of claims by an employee alleging age and handicapped discrimination)
- Donovan-Rizzo v. Delta Air Lines, Inc., 25 MDLR 284, 291 (administrative trial on claims of sex discrimination)
- Andrade v. Stop and Shop Supermarket, Inc., 23 MDLR 213, 225 (administrative trial on claims of national origin discrimination)
Related Trends
Related News & Insights
-
Sponsored Events
Oct 28, 2024
Seyfarth to Co-Host Biotech Organizational & Leadership Development (BOLD) Summit in Boston on October 28, 2024
-
Recognition
10/09/2024
Seyfarth Honored as ACC’s 2024 Outstanding Network Sponsor of the Year
-
Recognition
09/23/2024
11 Seyfarth Attorneys Selected as 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers and Two Others as Hall of Famers
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
- Recognized as one of the "Top 500 Leading US Corporate Employment Lawyers" by Lawdragon (2020-2022, 2025); Lawdragon Hall of Fame (2022, 2025)
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Employment Law - Management; Labor Law - Management (2011-2025), Litigation - Labor and Employment (2006–2025)
- Recognized as a Leading Lawyer for Workplace and Employment Counseling by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2019-2024)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2015–2024)
- Recognized as an "Eminent Practitioner" Labor & Employment (Massachusetts) (2017-2018); Band 1 for Labor & Employment (Massachusetts) (2019-2020, 2023-2024); and Band 2 for Labor & Employment (Massachusetts) (2021-2022) by Chambers USA (2002–2023)
- Ranked Band 3 for Labour & Employment (USA) by Chambers Global (2015-2018, 2022)
- Named to the list of "Top Lawyers" by Boston Magazine (2021)
- Honored by The American Registry as one of the "Top 50 Women Attorneys In Massachusetts" (2021)
- Recognized for Labor & Employment (Boston) by Chambers Global (2021)
- Named a "Go To Employment Attorney" by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (2021)
- Recognized as one of the "Top 50 Women Attorneys in Massachusetts" by Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) (2021)
- Recognized as a "Labor & Employment Star" by Benchmark Litigation (Euromoney Institutional Investor) (2020-2021, 2023)
- Recognized as "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers in America for Employment Law - Management (Woodward/White Inc.) (2017, 2019, 2021)
- Listed in Massachusetts Super Lawyers for Employment & Labor Law (Thomson Reuters) (2004–2021)
- Recognized as a "Client Service All Star" by BTI Consulting (2019)
- Named to the Top 100 Most Powerful Employment Attorneys by Human Resource Executive Magazine and Lawdragon (2010-2019)
- Global Counsel Handbook – Labour and Employee Benefits (Thomson Reuters) (2002-2019)
- Awarded American Association of Corporate Counsel Value Champion (2012 & 2018)
- Named Employment Lawyer of the Year by Chambers USA at the Women in Law Awards (2012)
- ABA Journal, Legal Rebels: Big Change in Big Law, "Making It Lean" (selected as one of the 10 most innovative attorneys in the country (September 2011 edition)
- Chair of Seyfarth’s 450-attorney Labor & Employment Department (2009-2018)
- Seyfarth Boston Office Founder & Managing Partner (1999-2009)
- Seyfarth Executive Committee & Compensation Committee (2010-2018)
- Litigation Counsel of America (Senior Fellow)
- Diversity Law Institute (Member)
- Trial Law Institute (Member)
- College of Law Practice Management (Elected as Fellow, 2013)
- College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (Elected as Fellow, 2009)
- American Bar Association
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Boston Bar Association
- Greater Boston Legal Services (Board Member 1996 – 1999)
- Women's Bar Association
- Co-Author, "Be Agile! Thought Leaders at Seyfarth are Revolutionizing the Delivery of Legal Services," Law Practice Magazine (July 7, 2015)
- "Employer Commentator on Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination - Administrative Law Decisions, Massachusetts Discrimination Law Reporter," Landlaw Specialty Publishers (1996-present)
- "Hot Topics in Diversity," ABA Section of Labor & Employment Law, Employment Rights & Responsibilities Committee, Mid-Winter Meeting (2002)
- Multiple publications for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education programs, the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Boston Bar Association newsletters and programs
- Co-Presenter, "Seyfarth Inclusion & Diversity Webinar Series: Creating Meaningful Change: Building Effective Inclusion Programs - Part One," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 4, 2020)
- “The Future of Legal Service Delivery” Legalweek (New York 2019)
- “Big Thinkers Session” Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC) (2017)
- “What Truly Impacts Buying Decisions?” Driving Value in Inside/Outside Counsel Relationships, presented by the ARK Group, Chicago, IL (May 16, 2013)
- “Process Improvement and Project Management,” Driving Value in Inside/Outside Counsel Relationships, presented by The Association of Corporate Counsel, Philadelphia, PA (May 1, 2013)
- “The Evolution of Business Analytics at Seyfarth Shaw,” Business Intelligence and Analytics in the Legal Profession, presented by the Ark Group, New York, NY (April 18, 2013)
- “Process Improvement and Project Management,” Driving Value in Inside/Outside Counsel Relationships, presented by The Association of Corporate Counsel, San Francisco, CA (February 27, 2013)
- 3rd Annual Controlling Legal Costs Conference, "Re-engineering the Legal Department," Corporate Counsel magazine (2011)
- 7th Annual Knowledge Management in the Legal Profession Conference, "Leveraging Technology and Process Reengineering from the Perspective of Client Value," Ark Group/Managing Partner Magazine (2011)
- 2011 Futures Conference, "What is the Future of Price: Defining Value in Value Billing," College of Law Practice Management/Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law (2011)
- Value-Based Fee Arrangements & Legal Services Logistics, "Dealing with unintended consequences and overcoming resistance to change as law firms aim to fundamentally alter the way they do business," Ark Group/Managing Partner Magazine (2011)
- TyMetrix Annual Executive Advisory Summit, "Transforming the Law Firm," Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services/TyMetrix (2011)
- Practice Group Strategy & Execution 2011 - "What's Right for Your Client is Right for Your Business: Buy-In and Reconciling Efficiency with Profitability," Ark Group/Managing Partner Magazine's 5th Annual Practice Group Leadership Forum (2011)
- ACC Value Challenge Master Classes - Legal Services Management - Driving Value in Inside/Outside Counsel Relationships - "Process Management & Staffing Decisions," Association of Corporate Counsel (2011)
- Welcome to the Future: Trends in the Delivery of Corporate Legal Services, Panelist: "Value: How do we define it? How do we measure it?" - Center for the Study of the Legal Profession, Georgetown University Law Center/Association of Corporate Counsel (2011)
- Overcoming Lawyers' Resistance to Change, "Transforming Six Sigma Into a Law Firm Value Initiative," Ark Group/Managing Partner Magazine (2011)
- Non-traditional Approaches to Law Firm Services: Welcome to a New World, Where Competitors Collaborate, Project and Process Management Rule, and Disaggregation Leads to Value, Controlling Legal Costs, ALM Corporate Counsel (2010)
- Outside Counsel Management: Staffing the Work for Value-Based Fee Structures, Association of Corporate Counsel 2010 Annual Meeting (2010)
- Employment Law Update, Practical Advice for Employers, New England Corporate Counsel Association, Inc. (2010)
- SeyfarthLean: An Evolving Legal Services Model, Royal Bank of Canada General Counsel Law Conference (2010)
- Value-Based Billing: ACC Value Challenge, 2010 Lawtrac Users Conference (2010)
- Six Sigma in the House, Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Law Council Spring Meeting (2010)
- The Slow Motion Riot: Revolutionizing Law Department Cost Management, Association of Corporate Counsel 2009 Annual Meeting (2009)
- Six Sigma in the House, Controlling Legal Costs, ALM General Counsel Conference (2009)
- Employment Law Trial Skills MasterClass, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Co-Chair (2007-2009)
- Association of Corporate Counsel Value Challenge Launch, Faculty (2008)
- Labor and Employment Law Trends in 2008, Ahold USA presentation to Legal Team (2008)
- When Does a Negotiator’s Gender Matter? Boston University, Guest Lecturer (2007, 2008)
- Employment Law Workshop, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (2005-2007)
- MBA Roundtable - Employees with Mental Disabilities: Rights and Challenges in the Workplace, Massachusetts Bar Association (2007)
- Multigenerational Workforces: How to Successfully (and Legally) Manage Millennials, Boomers and Everything in Between, Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA) Workshop (2007)
- Employment and Labor Law - MCLE BasicsPlus, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (2004, 2006, 2007)
- Communicating in a High-Tech World: What You Need to Know to Avoid a Lawsuit, Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA) Workshop (2006)
- Employment Law 2006: Big Decisions, Major Trends and What’s Ahead for 2007, Massachusetts Medical Society presentation (2006)
- Developing and Retaining Talent: Working Across Generations, National Council for Research on Women, Global Leadership and Diversity Forum (2006)
- Is Your Consultant Really an Employee?, Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA) Workshop (2005)
- Top Ten Ways to Avoid Discrimination Class Actions, New England Corporate Counsel Association, Inc. (2005)
- Annual Employment Law Conference, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (1999, 2004, 2005)
- MBA Panel Discussion - Termination of Employees in Closely-Held Businesses, Massachusetts Bar Association (2004)
- Employment and Labor Law Basics, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (2000-2003)
- ADA, FMLA and Workers’ Compensation, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (1999)
- Disability Under the ADA, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (1999)
- Taking Depositions Workshop, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (1997)
- Defamation Claims in the Workplace, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (1997)
- Employment Discrimination Update, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (1994)
- Quoted, "'We Really Haven't Had a Heart-to-Heart': GCs Who Fume About Outside Counsel Often Fail to Communicate," Law.com (December 8, 2022)
“Market forces ‘have the greatest regard’ for litigator and trial counsel Lisa Damon’s coverage of the complete spectrum of employment issues. ‘She is outstanding,’ remarks a client, adding: “She combines an exhaustive knowledge of the law with deep experience and a pragmatic approach to legal problems.’” —From Chambers USA (2019)
“Lisa Damon in Boston has ‘detailed knowledge of the law and is pragmatic and unfailingly responsive.’” From Legal 500 (2019)
“Lisa is a superstar; she’s practical, experienced and strategic. She’s responsive and always available. She has no weakness. Both understand complex organizations.” —From Chambers Confidential (2019)
“She is outstanding. She combines exhaustive knowledge of the law with deep experience and a pragmatic approach to legal problems. Lisa listens well and has sufficient confidence in her own judgment to recommend a course of action appropriate to the circumstances rather than just recite the law and present options to her client.” —From Chambers Confidential (2019)
“She has a very good reputation, and a high degree of integrity. She is well-known and speaks frequently.” —From Chambers Confidential by a Market Commentator (2019)
“I’ve had several litigation and negotiated transactional deals on executive deals with her, and I was very impressed by her.” —From Chambers Confidential by a Market Commentator (2019)