Nancy J. Puleo

Nancy is a partner in the firm's Employment and Litigation Departments.  Nancy represents clients before state and federal courts and agencies, including the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and both the U.S. and Massachusetts Department of Labor.  She is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.  Prior to entering private practice, Nancy served as a law clerk to the Justices of the Massachusetts Superior Court in 2000-2001.

In addition to her representation of clients in employment-related litigation, Nancy regularly counsels employers regarding personnel policies, compliance with state and federal wage and hour laws, harassment and discrimination complaints and investigations, drafting of employee handbooks and employment agreements, and litigation avoidance techniques.  Nancy also frequently represents employers in negotiating severance packages.

Representative Cases

• Represented a local restaurant in a class action lawsuit concerning the interpretation of the Massachusetts Tip Statute before its amendment in 2004.
• Represented advertising agency in pregnancy discrimination claim, including proceedings before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Massachusetts Superior Court.
• Represented regional human services organization in race, sexual orientation, age and gender discrimination claims, including proceedings before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
• Represented several local housing authorities in housing discrimination claims based on religion, ethnicity, race and handicap, including proceedings before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and also in Massachusetts Superior Court litigation initiated by the Office of the Attorney General.
• Represented restaurant group in Superior Court litigation involving claims of wrongful termination, retaliation, and age discrimination.
   

Memberships

Boston Bar Association
Massachusetts Bar Association, Section on Labor and Employment

Newsworthy

Contributing author of a chapter titled "Wage and Hour Laws: A State-by-State Survey," BNA 2005 - 2009 Supplements
Author, “United States Supreme Court Expands Worker Protection from Retaliation Under Title VII,” Employment Client Advisory, December 2006
Author, “United States Supreme Court Broadens Reach of Age Discrimination Law,” Employment Client Advisory, May 2005

Nancy was named Massachusetts Super Lawyer - Rising Star in 2009.

News & Media

• The Massachusetts Maternity Leave Act: Eight Weeks Means Eight Weeks
• Massachusetts Personnel Records Law Amended to Include Employer Notification Requirement
• Proposed Federal Legislation Aimed At Misclassification Of Employees As Independent Contractors
• A Right to Bear Arms in the Office?
• How to Safeguard Employee Data
• Revised Federal Medical Leave and Disability Laws Change the Legal Landscape for Employers
• Office Space Without Walls
• MCAD Commissioner Announces the MCAD will apply the Massachusetts Maternity Leave Act to Men
• New Massachusetts Law Mandates Treble Damages for Wage and Hour Violations and Raises Stakes for Employers
• Employment Alert