Robert A.Fisher
Partner
Labor & Employment
rfisher@seyfarth.com
Rob serves as outside labor and employment counsel to his clients, who depend on him to advise them across the spectrum of labor and employment law while understanding their culture and business objectives.
More About Rob
Mid-market and large national employers look to Rob for help navigating their most complex legal challenges, such as dealing with labor unions, defending wage-and-hour and executive disputes, and for day-to-day advice to help align their employment strategies with their business goals.
Dedicated to client service, Rob is regularly called upon to handle complex labor and employment matters. In the area of traditional labor law, Rob helps negotiate game-changing labor agreements, defends unfair labor practice charges, and helps non-union employers avoid unionization altogether. Rob also handles ERISA-related matters, especially those relating to unionized workforces. A significant part of Rob's practice is defending employers in wage-and-hour litigation, including both putative class and collective actions and single plaintiff cases. In addition, Rob provides day-to-day advice and counseling to clients regarding difficult employment issues and compliance with federal and state law.
Rob has handled matters across the spectrum of labor and employment law for over 20 years. Because his perspective is not narrowly focused, he is able to aid clients when areas of labor and employment law intersect. For example, compensation schemes in collective bargaining agreements often raise complicated federal and state wage and hour issues, and Rob is able to guide his clients at the bargaining table while aiding them with legal compliance. Rob has extensive experience in a number of key industries—higher education, technology, retail, telecommunications, and manufacturing—and understands these industries often face unique issues.
Rob is proud to be part of Seyfarth's international team of labor and employment attorneys who are dedicated to client service. He enjoys collaborating with his colleagues to handle some of the most complex matters in the field.
Dedicated to client service, Rob is regularly called upon to handle complex labor and employment matters. In the area of traditional labor law, Rob helps negotiate game-changing labor agreements, defends unfair labor practice charges, and helps non-union employers avoid unionization altogether. Rob also handles ERISA-related matters, especially those relating to unionized workforces. A significant part of Rob's practice is defending employers in wage-and-hour litigation, including both putative class and collective actions and single plaintiff cases. In addition, Rob provides day-to-day advice and counseling to clients regarding difficult employment issues and compliance with federal and state law.
Rob has handled matters across the spectrum of labor and employment law for over 20 years. Because his perspective is not narrowly focused, he is able to aid clients when areas of labor and employment law intersect. For example, compensation schemes in collective bargaining agreements often raise complicated federal and state wage and hour issues, and Rob is able to guide his clients at the bargaining table while aiding them with legal compliance. Rob has extensive experience in a number of key industries—higher education, technology, retail, telecommunications, and manufacturing—and understands these industries often face unique issues.
Rob is proud to be part of Seyfarth's international team of labor and employment attorneys who are dedicated to client service. He enjoys collaborating with his colleagues to handle some of the most complex matters in the field.
- JD, Cornell Law School
Magna cum laude
- LLM, Cornell Law School
Magna cum laude
- BSFS, Georgetown University
Cum laude
- Massachusetts
- US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, DC Circuit
- US District Court, District of Massachusetts
Related Services
- First-chaired a jury trial defending a university in a disability discrimination case in which the plaintiff alleged the university failed to accommodate his disability and violated Massachusetts law by terminating his employment after a medical certification indicated he could "become dizzy on a moment’s notice and become unsafe." The court granted the university's motion for directed verdict on the plaintiff’s failure to accommodate claim and claim for punitive damages at the close of the plaintiff's case. After less than two hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the university, stating that the plaintiff did not prove he was a qualified individual with a disability capable of performing his job safely.
- Defended a university at trial against claims of retaliation and race and disability discrimination. The plaintiff alleged discrimination following her application for intermittent FMLA leave. The plaintiff also alleged that the university retaliated against her for filing internal and external complaints of discrimination by placing her on administrative leave and barring her from campus. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the university after deliberating for just over three hours.
- Successfully defended educational institution against one of the first union petitions under the new NLRB election rules.
- Won dismissal of claims by former executives of a biotech company that they were entitled to severance after acquisition.
- Won judgment of dismissal in a federal court trial in which the plaintiff, a former computer systems analyst, alleged that he was fired because of his age.
- Successfully represented a university at a public hearing before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, obtaining dismissal of a former administrator’s claim that she was fired for taking a maternity leave.
- Secured summary judgment for a university on a former faculty member’s claims of breach of contract.
- Convinced a federal court to overturn an arbitration award relating to the denial of tenure to a college faculty member on the grounds that the arbitrator exceeded his authority.
- Obtained dismissal of a nationwide unfair labor practice charge relating to a company’s no solicitation policy and its state court trespass against a labor union.
- Successfully defended a hospital in federal court and in a two-week arbitration against claims by a former executive that he was owed millions of dollars of promised retirement benefits.
- Obtained summary judgment, which was affirmed on appeal, on claims by a multiemployer pension plan that the former owner of a trucking company owed several million dollars in withdrawal liability.
- Convinced the NLRB to overturn an administrative law judge’s decision and to conclude that the manner in which the union presented grievances constituted unprotected conduct.
- Successfully represented construction company against claims by a multiemployer pension plan for withdrawal liability by establishing that our client was not within the controlled group at the time of withdrawal.
- Convinced the NLRB that our client, a trucking company, lawfully refused to bargain with the union’s chief negotiator due to his conduct at the bargaining table.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of university on former faculty member’s claims that he was denied tenure because of his race and in retaliation for engaging in protected conduct.
Related News & Insights
-
Recognition
10/28/2024
Robert Fisher Recognized as a “Go-To Lawyer” for Higher Education by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Legal Update
May 14, 2024
Wage and Hour Traps for Massachusetts Municipalities - FLSA (Part I)
-
Webinar Recording
Aug 23, 2023
Micro Webinar Series: Hot Topics in Employment Law for Massachusetts Health Care Organizations - Part 4: Labor Relations in Health Care
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Labor Law - Management (2022-2025)
- Recognized as a “Go-To Lawyer” for Higher Education by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (2024)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Labor-management relations (2020-2022, 2024) and Labor and employment - Workplace and employment counseling (2024) by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.)
- Recognized in BTI Client Service All-Stars (2017)
- Boston Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section co-chair, 2016-2018
- American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
- Associated Industries of Massachusetts, HR-Labor Law Committee chair
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Holds That Terminating An Employee for Filing A Rebuttal to a Personnel Record Violates the Public Policy Exception to At-Will Employment," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 21, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Boston Enacts Vaccine Mandate to Enter Certain Businesses," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 20, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Issues Mandatory COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Notice For Employers," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 7, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus — Part 28: Massachusetts Governor Signs Law Providing COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 3, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Governor Signs Law Providing COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave And Fix For Unemployment Insurance Solvency Rate," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 1, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts To End Most COVID-19 Restrictions By May 29 and Lift State Of Emergency On June 15," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 17, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus — Part 26: Massachusetts Closing in on COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Mandate," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 5, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Governor Signs COVID-19 Relief Bill Addressing Unemployment Insurance Relief But Vetoes Portion Providing COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave With Recommended Amendments," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 2, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Imposes New Temporary COVID-19 Restrictions," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 24, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Increases COVID-19 Restrictions on Businesses and Reverts to Phase III, Step 1 of Reopening Plan," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 11, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Issues New COVID-19 Restrictions Affecting Employers and Individuals," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 3, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Restricts Gatherings And Service Of Alcohol At Restaurants In Response To Uptick In COVID-19 Cases," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 10, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Reopening Guidance Updated For Several Sectors," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 15, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Enacts Further Unemployment Relief for Employers and Workers Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic and Shutdown," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 5, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Governor Issues Phase 2 Reopening Order Along With Sector-Specific Guidance for Retail Stores and Childcare Programs," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 2, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Previews Mandatory Safety Standards For Restaurants And Hotels ," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 1, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Updates COVID-19 Guidance for Non-Essential Retailers During First Reopening Phase," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Governor Baker Announces Details of Massachusetts Reopening Plan," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts COVID-19 Update: Governor Outlines Four-Phased Approach to Reopening State's Economy," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 12, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Softens COVID-19 Restrictions on “Non-Essential” Remote-Fulfillment Businesses," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 5, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste: Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Target Colleges and Universities for COVID-19 Responses," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 4, 2020)
- Co-Author, "New Guidance Tightens COVID-19 Restrictions on Massachusetts Employers, and the Massachusetts Attorney General Revises Guidance on Furloughs," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 8, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Division of Insurance Encourages Health Insurance Carriers to Be Flexible for Employers and Employees Impacted by the COVID-19 Crisis," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 26, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Aids Workers Impacted By COVID-19," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 20, 2020)
- Co-Author, "New Year Brings New Obligations for Massachusetts Employers," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 30, 2019)
- Co-Author, "NLRB Issues Final Rule Eliminating The Worst Of The Old Quickie Election Rules," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 16, 2019)
- Editor in Chief, Mass-Peculiarities: An Employer’s Guide to Wage & Hour Law in the Bay State, 4th Edition, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 19, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts High Court Finds Employer Liable for Unpaid Overtime Despite Employer’s Reliance on DLS Opinion Letters," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 14, 2019)
- Editor in Chief, Employers' Guide to Massachusetts Wage & Hour Law, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 30, 2019)
- Co-Author, “Navigating the New Massachusetts Noncompete Morass,” Law 360 (September 2018)
- Senior Editor, 2018 Cumulative Supplement to Employee Benefits Law (4th ed.)
- Senior Editor & Chapter Editor, Employee Benefits Law (4th ed.)
- Co-Author, "Are Graduate-Students Assistants Employees Under the NLRA? The Answer of the Obama Board Will Not Be the Final Word," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 6, 2018)
- Co-Author, "NLRB General Counsel Rescinds Controversial Memo Regarding Section 7 Rights of University Faculty, Student Assistants, and Student-Athletes," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 13, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Conducting a Successful Workplace Investigation,” Northeast Human Resources Association Insights (Summer 2017)
- Co-Author, "Governor Baker Signs Into Law the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 28, 2017)
- Co-Author, Massachusetts Peculiarities: An Employer’s Guide to Wage & Hour Law in the Bay State, 3rd Edition, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 1, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Massachusetts Governor Signs Act Granting Paid Leave to Veterans Participating in Veterans Day Activities and Adds “Veteran Status” As a Protected Class,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 28, 2016)
- Senior Editor & Chapter Editor, 2015 Cumulative Supplement to Employee Benefits Law (3d Edition)
- Co-author, An Overview of the New Massachusetts Domestic Violence Leave Law, Boston Bar Journal (January 2015)
- Chapter Editor, 2014 Cumulative Supplement to Employee Benefits Law (3d Edition)
- Chapter Editor, Fall 2013 Cumulative Supplement to Employee Benefits Law (3d Edition)
- “Employers Face Growing Threat of ‘Systemic Discrimination’ Cases,” Associated Industries of Massachusetts (July 2013)
- Chapter Editor, Spring 2013 Supplement to Employee Benefits Law (3d Edition)
- Contributing Author, Employee Benefits Law (3d Edition)
- Rewrite Author and Contributing Author, 2010 Cumulative Supplement to Employee Benefits Law (2d edition)
- Rewrite Author and Contributing Author, 2009 Cumulative Supplement to Employee Benefits Law (2d edition)
- Co-author, Tips for Responding to A Fair Share Contribution Audit by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Restaurant Association eNEWSLETTER (June 2009)
- Legal Implications of Mental Health Issues, Human Resource Executive Online (May 2009)
- National Labor Relations Board Preserves Employees’ Right of Free Choice Under Neutrality and Card Check Agreements, Massachusetts Bar Institute, Section Review (2008)
- Contributing Author, 2008 Cumulative Supplement to E Employee Benefits Law
- “All employers need to think about health care reform,” Boston Bar Journal (December 8-14, 2006)
- “Much ado about nothing: the labor board’s new definitions regarding who is a supervisor,” Massachusetts Bar Institute, Section Review (2007)
- Co-author, “Employing in California? Beware of Risks in Employment Agreements,” Mass High Tech (August 2, 2004)
- Co-author, Chapter Three, “Class Action in the Labor and Employment Area: An Overview” - Massachusetts Bar and Continuing Legal Education Publication (June 2003)
- “Employee Handbook Claims In Massachusetts After Fergusen v. Host International, Inc.” Massachusetts Bar Institute, Section Review (Winter 2002)
- Contributing Editor, The Developing Labor Law (4th Edition, 2001)
- Co-Presenter, “Jury Trials in 2024: Seyfarth’s Employment Trial Team on Lessons from the Front Lines - Part 4: The Flip Side,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 25, 2024)
- Faculty Member, “Advanced Employment Law: What You Need to Know,” National Business Institute (October 2018)
- Faculty Member, “Employment Law: 2018 Comprehensive Guide,” National Business Institute (July 2018)
- Faculty Chair, “Preventing & Litigating Wage and Hour Cases,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (May 2018)
- Panelist, “An Overview of Pay Equity Guidance from the Office of the Attorney General,” Boston Bar Association (May 2018)
- Co-Presenter, “Member-Only Labor Briefing,” Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (May 2018)
- Co-Presenter, "2018 and Beyond: What All Employers Should Expect from the NLRB," Client Briefing, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Boston, MA (April 12, 2018)
- Speaker, “Large Business Pay Equity Webinar,” Associated Industries of Massachusetts (March 2018)
- Faculty Member, “Human Resources Law from A to Z,” National Business Institute (November 2017)
- Co-Presenter, "What You Need To Know About The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 2, 2017)
- Speaker, “Pay Equity Implementation Discussion,” Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (April 2017)
- Faculty Chair, Wage & Hour Primer and Update 2016, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (May 2016)
- Panelist, Representing Clients Before the MCAD in Employment Discrimination Cases, Boston Bar Association Continuing Legal Education (April 2016)
- Panelist, The Americans with Disabilities Act in the Modern Workplace, Boston Bar Association Continuing Legal Education (March 2016)
- Co-Presenter, Developments in Disability Discrimination Law, 18th Annual Employment Law Conference 2015, MCLE (Dec. 2015)
- Co-Presenter, Massachusetts Lodging Association Speaker Series: Key Issues Facing Hospitality Employers (June 2015)
- Speaker, “Legal Update: What You Need to Know About the New PTO Laws,” Massachusetts Hospital Association, 49th Annual HR/Labor Forum (May 2015)
- Faculty Chair, Preventing & Litigating Wage & Hour Cases,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (May 2015)
- Speaker, “Criminal Law & Employment Issues: Are You in the Know?,” Boston Bar Association Continuing Legal Education (October 2014)
- Co-Presenter, “Massachusetts Enacts Domestic Violence Leave for Employees,” Webinar, West LegalEdcenter (October 2014)
- Faculty Chair, “Preventing & Litigating Wage & Hour Cases,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (May 2014)
- Panelist, “The Wage & Hour Avalanche: Avoiding the Crush of Class Actions & Investigations,” LexisNexis OnDemand Webinar (May 2014)
- Panelist, “Avoiding the Top Ten Employment Law Mistakes by Non-Profits,” Lawyers Clearinghouse & Boston Bar Association (March 2014)
- Speaker, “Discrimination/Harassment Prevention: Update on the EEOC’s Systemic Discrimination Initiative,” Human Resources Management Association of Central Massachusetts (December 2013)
- Speaker, “New Dangers in Wage & Hour Law,” Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Webinar (December 2013)
- Panelist, “Creating An Internship Program,” internbiz Boston (November 2013)
- Speaker, “EEOC’s Focus on Systemic Discrimination & MCAD,” Associated Industries of Massachusetts, HR Roundtable (June 2013)
- Speaker, “What Every Employer Should Know About the Affordable Care Act,” Massachusetts Hospital Association (May 2013)
- Speaker, “Privacy, Workplace Behavior and Off-Duty Conduct,” NBI Seminar: Human Resources Law (May 2013)
- Speaker, “What Every Employer Should Know About the Affordable Care Act,” New England Council (January 2013)
- Speaker, “Health Care Reform Update,” Massachusetts Restaurant Association (April 2012)
- Speaker, “Information Security Plan - Explanation and Implementation” Webinar, Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (June 2009)
- Panelist, “Navigating the New MA Data Security Regulations,” MassTLC’s Legal Series (June 2009)
- Panelist, “Using Non-Compete Laws to Spur Economic Development in Massachusetts,” Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (April 2009)
- Panelist, “Get Smart: Issues Surrounding Surveillance,” American Arbitration Association (April 2009)
- Panelist, “Recognizing and Defusing Time-Bombs in Today’s M&A Environment,” Northeast Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel (March 2009)
- Panelist, “Evidentiary Issues in the Labor Arbitration Context,” MBA 29th Annual Labor and Employment Law Spring Seminar (May 2008)
- Panelist, “An Overview of the Employer Obligations Under the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law,” Massachusetts Hospital Association (June 2007)
- Panelist, “Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law: Are You In Compliance,” Massachusetts Restaurant Association (March and April 2007)
- Panelist, “Labor Law Basics,” Boston Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar (November 2005)
- “Minimizing Organizational and Personal Liability Risks Arising from Employment Terminations,” Personnel Law Update 2004, Council on Education in Management (November 2004)
- City Year Legal Community Breakfast vice chair
Rob serves as outside labor and employment counsel to his clients, who depend on him to advise them across the spectrum of labor and employment law while understanding their culture and business objectives.
More About Rob
Mid-market and large national employers look to Rob for help navigating their most complex legal challenges, such as dealing with labor unions, defending wage-and-hour and executive disputes, and for day-to-day advice to help align their employment strategies with their business goals.
Dedicated to client service, Rob is regularly called upon to handle complex labor and employment matters. In the area of traditional labor law, Rob helps negotiate game-changing labor agreements, defends unfair labor practice charges, and helps non-union employers avoid unionization altogether. Rob also handles ERISA-related matters, especially those relating to unionized workforces. A significant part of Rob's practice is defending employers in wage-and-hour litigation, including both putative class and collective actions and single plaintiff cases. In addition, Rob provides day-to-day advice and counseling to clients regarding difficult employment issues and compliance with federal and state law.
Rob has handled matters across the spectrum of labor and employment law for over 20 years. Because his perspective is not narrowly focused, he is able to aid clients when areas of labor and employment law intersect. For example, compensation schemes in collective bargaining agreements often raise complicated federal and state wage and hour issues, and Rob is able to guide his clients at the bargaining table while aiding them with legal compliance. Rob has extensive experience in a number of key industries—higher education, technology, retail, telecommunications, and manufacturing—and understands these industries often face unique issues.
Rob is proud to be part of Seyfarth's international team of labor and employment attorneys who are dedicated to client service. He enjoys collaborating with his colleagues to handle some of the most complex matters in the field.
Dedicated to client service, Rob is regularly called upon to handle complex labor and employment matters. In the area of traditional labor law, Rob helps negotiate game-changing labor agreements, defends unfair labor practice charges, and helps non-union employers avoid unionization altogether. Rob also handles ERISA-related matters, especially those relating to unionized workforces. A significant part of Rob's practice is defending employers in wage-and-hour litigation, including both putative class and collective actions and single plaintiff cases. In addition, Rob provides day-to-day advice and counseling to clients regarding difficult employment issues and compliance with federal and state law.
Rob has handled matters across the spectrum of labor and employment law for over 20 years. Because his perspective is not narrowly focused, he is able to aid clients when areas of labor and employment law intersect. For example, compensation schemes in collective bargaining agreements often raise complicated federal and state wage and hour issues, and Rob is able to guide his clients at the bargaining table while aiding them with legal compliance. Rob has extensive experience in a number of key industries—higher education, technology, retail, telecommunications, and manufacturing—and understands these industries often face unique issues.
Rob is proud to be part of Seyfarth's international team of labor and employment attorneys who are dedicated to client service. He enjoys collaborating with his colleagues to handle some of the most complex matters in the field.
- JD, Cornell Law School
Magna cum laude
- LLM, Cornell Law School
Magna cum laude
- BSFS, Georgetown University
Cum laude
- Massachusetts
- US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, DC Circuit
- US District Court, District of Massachusetts
Related Services
- First-chaired a jury trial defending a university in a disability discrimination case in which the plaintiff alleged the university failed to accommodate his disability and violated Massachusetts law by terminating his employment after a medical certification indicated he could "become dizzy on a moment’s notice and become unsafe." The court granted the university's motion for directed verdict on the plaintiff’s failure to accommodate claim and claim for punitive damages at the close of the plaintiff's case. After less than two hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the university, stating that the plaintiff did not prove he was a qualified individual with a disability capable of performing his job safely.
- Defended a university at trial against claims of retaliation and race and disability discrimination. The plaintiff alleged discrimination following her application for intermittent FMLA leave. The plaintiff also alleged that the university retaliated against her for filing internal and external complaints of discrimination by placing her on administrative leave and barring her from campus. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the university after deliberating for just over three hours.
- Successfully defended educational institution against one of the first union petitions under the new NLRB election rules.
- Won dismissal of claims by former executives of a biotech company that they were entitled to severance after acquisition.
- Won judgment of dismissal in a federal court trial in which the plaintiff, a former computer systems analyst, alleged that he was fired because of his age.
- Successfully represented a university at a public hearing before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, obtaining dismissal of a former administrator’s claim that she was fired for taking a maternity leave.
- Secured summary judgment for a university on a former faculty member’s claims of breach of contract.
- Convinced a federal court to overturn an arbitration award relating to the denial of tenure to a college faculty member on the grounds that the arbitrator exceeded his authority.
- Obtained dismissal of a nationwide unfair labor practice charge relating to a company’s no solicitation policy and its state court trespass against a labor union.
- Successfully defended a hospital in federal court and in a two-week arbitration against claims by a former executive that he was owed millions of dollars of promised retirement benefits.
- Obtained summary judgment, which was affirmed on appeal, on claims by a multiemployer pension plan that the former owner of a trucking company owed several million dollars in withdrawal liability.
- Convinced the NLRB to overturn an administrative law judge’s decision and to conclude that the manner in which the union presented grievances constituted unprotected conduct.
- Successfully represented construction company against claims by a multiemployer pension plan for withdrawal liability by establishing that our client was not within the controlled group at the time of withdrawal.
- Convinced the NLRB that our client, a trucking company, lawfully refused to bargain with the union’s chief negotiator due to his conduct at the bargaining table.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of university on former faculty member’s claims that he was denied tenure because of his race and in retaliation for engaging in protected conduct.
Related News & Insights
-
Recognition
10/28/2024
Robert Fisher Recognized as a “Go-To Lawyer” for Higher Education by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Legal Update
May 14, 2024
Wage and Hour Traps for Massachusetts Municipalities - FLSA (Part I)
-
Webinar Recording
Aug 23, 2023
Micro Webinar Series: Hot Topics in Employment Law for Massachusetts Health Care Organizations - Part 4: Labor Relations in Health Care
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Labor Law - Management (2022-2025)
- Recognized as a “Go-To Lawyer” for Higher Education by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (2024)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Labor-management relations (2020-2022, 2024) and Labor and employment - Workplace and employment counseling (2024) by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.)
- Recognized in BTI Client Service All-Stars (2017)
- Boston Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section co-chair, 2016-2018
- American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
- Associated Industries of Massachusetts, HR-Labor Law Committee chair
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Holds That Terminating An Employee for Filing A Rebuttal to a Personnel Record Violates the Public Policy Exception to At-Will Employment," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 21, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Boston Enacts Vaccine Mandate to Enter Certain Businesses," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 20, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Issues Mandatory COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Notice For Employers," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 7, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus — Part 28: Massachusetts Governor Signs Law Providing COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 3, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Governor Signs Law Providing COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave And Fix For Unemployment Insurance Solvency Rate," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 1, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts To End Most COVID-19 Restrictions By May 29 and Lift State Of Emergency On June 15," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 17, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus — Part 26: Massachusetts Closing in on COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Mandate," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 5, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Governor Signs COVID-19 Relief Bill Addressing Unemployment Insurance Relief But Vetoes Portion Providing COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave With Recommended Amendments," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 2, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Imposes New Temporary COVID-19 Restrictions," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 24, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Increases COVID-19 Restrictions on Businesses and Reverts to Phase III, Step 1 of Reopening Plan," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 11, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Issues New COVID-19 Restrictions Affecting Employers and Individuals," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 3, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Restricts Gatherings And Service Of Alcohol At Restaurants In Response To Uptick In COVID-19 Cases," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 10, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Reopening Guidance Updated For Several Sectors," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 15, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Enacts Further Unemployment Relief for Employers and Workers Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic and Shutdown," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 5, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Governor Issues Phase 2 Reopening Order Along With Sector-Specific Guidance for Retail Stores and Childcare Programs," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 2, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Previews Mandatory Safety Standards For Restaurants And Hotels ," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 1, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Updates COVID-19 Guidance for Non-Essential Retailers During First Reopening Phase," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Governor Baker Announces Details of Massachusetts Reopening Plan," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts COVID-19 Update: Governor Outlines Four-Phased Approach to Reopening State's Economy," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 12, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Softens COVID-19 Restrictions on “Non-Essential” Remote-Fulfillment Businesses," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 5, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste: Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Target Colleges and Universities for COVID-19 Responses," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 4, 2020)
- Co-Author, "New Guidance Tightens COVID-19 Restrictions on Massachusetts Employers, and the Massachusetts Attorney General Revises Guidance on Furloughs," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 8, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Division of Insurance Encourages Health Insurance Carriers to Be Flexible for Employers and Employees Impacted by the COVID-19 Crisis," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 26, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Aids Workers Impacted By COVID-19," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 20, 2020)
- Co-Author, "New Year Brings New Obligations for Massachusetts Employers," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 30, 2019)
- Co-Author, "NLRB Issues Final Rule Eliminating The Worst Of The Old Quickie Election Rules," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 16, 2019)
- Editor in Chief, Mass-Peculiarities: An Employer’s Guide to Wage & Hour Law in the Bay State, 4th Edition, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 19, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts High Court Finds Employer Liable for Unpaid Overtime Despite Employer’s Reliance on DLS Opinion Letters," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 14, 2019)
- Editor in Chief, Employers' Guide to Massachusetts Wage & Hour Law, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 30, 2019)
- Co-Author, “Navigating the New Massachusetts Noncompete Morass,” Law 360 (September 2018)
- Senior Editor, 2018 Cumulative Supplement to Employee Benefits Law (4th ed.)
- Senior Editor & Chapter Editor, Employee Benefits Law (4th ed.)
- Co-Author, "Are Graduate-Students Assistants Employees Under the NLRA? The Answer of the Obama Board Will Not Be the Final Word," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 6, 2018)
- Co-Author, "NLRB General Counsel Rescinds Controversial Memo Regarding Section 7 Rights of University Faculty, Student Assistants, and Student-Athletes," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 13, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Conducting a Successful Workplace Investigation,” Northeast Human Resources Association Insights (Summer 2017)
- Co-Author, "Governor Baker Signs Into Law the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 28, 2017)
- Co-Author, Massachusetts Peculiarities: An Employer’s Guide to Wage & Hour Law in the Bay State, 3rd Edition, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 1, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Massachusetts Governor Signs Act Granting Paid Leave to Veterans Participating in Veterans Day Activities and Adds “Veteran Status” As a Protected Class,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 28, 2016)
- Senior Editor & Chapter Editor, 2015 Cumulative Supplement to Employee Benefits Law (3d Edition)
- Co-author, An Overview of the New Massachusetts Domestic Violence Leave Law, Boston Bar Journal (January 2015)
- Chapter Editor, 2014 Cumulative Supplement to Employee Benefits Law (3d Edition)
- Chapter Editor, Fall 2013 Cumulative Supplement to Employee Benefits Law (3d Edition)
- “Employers Face Growing Threat of ‘Systemic Discrimination’ Cases,” Associated Industries of Massachusetts (July 2013)
- Chapter Editor, Spring 2013 Supplement to Employee Benefits Law (3d Edition)
- Contributing Author, Employee Benefits Law (3d Edition)
- Rewrite Author and Contributing Author, 2010 Cumulative Supplement to Employee Benefits Law (2d edition)
- Rewrite Author and Contributing Author, 2009 Cumulative Supplement to Employee Benefits Law (2d edition)
- Co-author, Tips for Responding to A Fair Share Contribution Audit by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Restaurant Association eNEWSLETTER (June 2009)
- Legal Implications of Mental Health Issues, Human Resource Executive Online (May 2009)
- National Labor Relations Board Preserves Employees’ Right of Free Choice Under Neutrality and Card Check Agreements, Massachusetts Bar Institute, Section Review (2008)
- Contributing Author, 2008 Cumulative Supplement to E Employee Benefits Law
- “All employers need to think about health care reform,” Boston Bar Journal (December 8-14, 2006)
- “Much ado about nothing: the labor board’s new definitions regarding who is a supervisor,” Massachusetts Bar Institute, Section Review (2007)
- Co-author, “Employing in California? Beware of Risks in Employment Agreements,” Mass High Tech (August 2, 2004)
- Co-author, Chapter Three, “Class Action in the Labor and Employment Area: An Overview” - Massachusetts Bar and Continuing Legal Education Publication (June 2003)
- “Employee Handbook Claims In Massachusetts After Fergusen v. Host International, Inc.” Massachusetts Bar Institute, Section Review (Winter 2002)
- Contributing Editor, The Developing Labor Law (4th Edition, 2001)
- Co-Presenter, “Jury Trials in 2024: Seyfarth’s Employment Trial Team on Lessons from the Front Lines - Part 4: The Flip Side,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 25, 2024)
- Faculty Member, “Advanced Employment Law: What You Need to Know,” National Business Institute (October 2018)
- Faculty Member, “Employment Law: 2018 Comprehensive Guide,” National Business Institute (July 2018)
- Faculty Chair, “Preventing & Litigating Wage and Hour Cases,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (May 2018)
- Panelist, “An Overview of Pay Equity Guidance from the Office of the Attorney General,” Boston Bar Association (May 2018)
- Co-Presenter, “Member-Only Labor Briefing,” Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association (May 2018)
- Co-Presenter, "2018 and Beyond: What All Employers Should Expect from the NLRB," Client Briefing, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Boston, MA (April 12, 2018)
- Speaker, “Large Business Pay Equity Webinar,” Associated Industries of Massachusetts (March 2018)
- Faculty Member, “Human Resources Law from A to Z,” National Business Institute (November 2017)
- Co-Presenter, "What You Need To Know About The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 2, 2017)
- Speaker, “Pay Equity Implementation Discussion,” Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (April 2017)
- Faculty Chair, Wage & Hour Primer and Update 2016, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (May 2016)
- Panelist, Representing Clients Before the MCAD in Employment Discrimination Cases, Boston Bar Association Continuing Legal Education (April 2016)
- Panelist, The Americans with Disabilities Act in the Modern Workplace, Boston Bar Association Continuing Legal Education (March 2016)
- Co-Presenter, Developments in Disability Discrimination Law, 18th Annual Employment Law Conference 2015, MCLE (Dec. 2015)
- Co-Presenter, Massachusetts Lodging Association Speaker Series: Key Issues Facing Hospitality Employers (June 2015)
- Speaker, “Legal Update: What You Need to Know About the New PTO Laws,” Massachusetts Hospital Association, 49th Annual HR/Labor Forum (May 2015)
- Faculty Chair, Preventing & Litigating Wage & Hour Cases,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (May 2015)
- Speaker, “Criminal Law & Employment Issues: Are You in the Know?,” Boston Bar Association Continuing Legal Education (October 2014)
- Co-Presenter, “Massachusetts Enacts Domestic Violence Leave for Employees,” Webinar, West LegalEdcenter (October 2014)
- Faculty Chair, “Preventing & Litigating Wage & Hour Cases,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (May 2014)
- Panelist, “The Wage & Hour Avalanche: Avoiding the Crush of Class Actions & Investigations,” LexisNexis OnDemand Webinar (May 2014)
- Panelist, “Avoiding the Top Ten Employment Law Mistakes by Non-Profits,” Lawyers Clearinghouse & Boston Bar Association (March 2014)
- Speaker, “Discrimination/Harassment Prevention: Update on the EEOC’s Systemic Discrimination Initiative,” Human Resources Management Association of Central Massachusetts (December 2013)
- Speaker, “New Dangers in Wage & Hour Law,” Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Webinar (December 2013)
- Panelist, “Creating An Internship Program,” internbiz Boston (November 2013)
- Speaker, “EEOC’s Focus on Systemic Discrimination & MCAD,” Associated Industries of Massachusetts, HR Roundtable (June 2013)
- Speaker, “What Every Employer Should Know About the Affordable Care Act,” Massachusetts Hospital Association (May 2013)
- Speaker, “Privacy, Workplace Behavior and Off-Duty Conduct,” NBI Seminar: Human Resources Law (May 2013)
- Speaker, “What Every Employer Should Know About the Affordable Care Act,” New England Council (January 2013)
- Speaker, “Health Care Reform Update,” Massachusetts Restaurant Association (April 2012)
- Speaker, “Information Security Plan - Explanation and Implementation” Webinar, Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents (June 2009)
- Panelist, “Navigating the New MA Data Security Regulations,” MassTLC’s Legal Series (June 2009)
- Panelist, “Using Non-Compete Laws to Spur Economic Development in Massachusetts,” Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (April 2009)
- Panelist, “Get Smart: Issues Surrounding Surveillance,” American Arbitration Association (April 2009)
- Panelist, “Recognizing and Defusing Time-Bombs in Today’s M&A Environment,” Northeast Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel (March 2009)
- Panelist, “Evidentiary Issues in the Labor Arbitration Context,” MBA 29th Annual Labor and Employment Law Spring Seminar (May 2008)
- Panelist, “An Overview of the Employer Obligations Under the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law,” Massachusetts Hospital Association (June 2007)
- Panelist, “Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law: Are You In Compliance,” Massachusetts Restaurant Association (March and April 2007)
- Panelist, “Labor Law Basics,” Boston Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar (November 2005)
- “Minimizing Organizational and Personal Liability Risks Arising from Employment Terminations,” Personnel Law Update 2004, Council on Education in Management (November 2004)
- City Year Legal Community Breakfast vice chair