News

Kathryn Murphy, Nan ONeill, Sarah Spatafore, Kier Wachterhauser and Michael Maccaro, all Partners at MHTL, presented their Labor and Employment Law Update, sponsored by The Greater Merrimack Valley Human Resources Association on June 3, 2021. Their presentation included “Cases and Regulatory and Statutory Update” presented by Mr. Wachterhauser and Ms. Spatafore. Mr. Maccaro presented “The NLRA, the NLRB and What Every Employer Needs to Know about the Myriad of Changes Already Made and What to Expect Moving Forward”, followed by a panel made up of Ms. ONeill, Ms. Spatafore, Ms. Murphy and Mr. Wachterhauser titled “COVID-19 Now and Later – Navigating the COVID-Related Issues of Today and Preparing for the Changed Workplace of Tomorrow”. During this segment, the panel discussed ARPA and COBRA Premium Coverage, the new MA Emergency Sick Leave, remote-work arrangements and COVID issues for the short- and long-term future. Lasty, Ms. ONeill outlined “Guiding Principles for Employee Discipline and Discharge”, during that time she described several case studies to show the different outcomes of discipline in the workplace.

Ms. Murphy practices in the employment and labor law areas, and she obtained a Senior Professional Human Resource (SPHR) certification in 2011. Prior to practicing law, she practiced as a Certified Public Accountant. She graduated cum laude from Suffolk University Law School. Ms. ONeill has 30 years of experience counseling and representing employers in all aspects of traditional labor law and employment. She is a graduate of Boston College and the Georgetown University Law Center. Ms. Spatafore practices primarily in the labor and employment area and assists in education issues. She graduated from Bates College and received her Juris Doctor, with Honors, from Boston College Law School. Kier Wachterhauser represents clients in all areas of labor and employment law and maintains a general litigation practice. He received his Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law, received a Master of Arts degree from Northwestern University and graduated from Swarthmore College with honors. Mr. Maccaro is focused on the areas of labor and employment, litigation, and employee benefits. He graduated from Bates College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Chemistry. He received his Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law.

Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP is one of the 50 largest firms in Massachusetts, their years of experience and resources offer clients throughout New England and nationally a wide range of legal services while maintaining a “hands-on touch” that is important in Client-Attorney relationships. Their broad resources and technology enable them to represent clients in a comprehensive and cost-efficient manner. MHTL has a strong reputation in the legal community and is known throughout New England for its labor and employment practice as well as its extensive business litigation and advising employers on internal reviews and strategic legal approaches when dealing with the government. The firm also has an extensive education law practice representing public, private, and nonprofit educational institutions from pre-K through the college and university level.