Hillary J.Massey

Senior Counsel

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Hillary defends employers nationwide against complex wage-and-hour class actions and counsels employers on compliance with laws governing employee pay and other issues.


More About Hillary

Employers must understand and comply with complicated state and federal wage-and-hour laws. The risks are high, as litigation is often conducted on a collective and class action basis. In Massachusetts, employers face triple damages, as well. Hillary counsels clients about compliance, updates them about new laws, helps them avoid litigation, and defends employers against large (often nationwide) class actions in state and federal court.

Hillary focuses a significant share of her litigation practice on the defense of complex wage and hour claims, including collective actions under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and class claims under the laws of Massachusetts and other states. She has extensive experience defending against allegations of exempt employee misclassification, independent contractor misclassification and off-the-clock work, including early-stage motion practice, class action certification and summary judgment.

Hillary's extensive work in counseling and litigation allows her to respond quickly, and provide options for her clients' consideration. She began her career with two clerkships at the trial and appellate level, then worked in general litigation for three years, followed by three years of intensive employment counseling work. During that period, Hillary worked closely with human resources partners and in-house counsel to address the unique employment law questions that arise on a daily basis. She now blends that experience into a mix of counseling and litigation defense.

Hillary simplifies complex legal and procedural matters to provide level-headed analysis and sound advice. She is naturally optimistic and persistent, which helps during difficult litigation.

Hillary served in both the Peace Corps and Army Reserve. Her breadth of real-world experience gives her a practical and creative perspective that employers appreciate.

Hillary enjoys minimizing the legal challenges and compliance risks employers face, so they can focus on growing their business and achieving their goals. She enjoys working with passionate people, both clients and Seyfarth colleagues, to solve problems efficiently and creatively.

  • JD, Boston College Law School

    Magna cum laude
    Boston College Law Review, articles editor

  • BS, Tufts University

    Cum laude

  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • New Hampshire
  • US District Court, District of Connecticut
  • US District Court, District of Maine
  • US District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • US District Court, District of New Hampshire