News
Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP Attorneys Present Legal Update for the Cape Cod Human Resources Association
Attorneys from Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP presented their “Legal Update and Important Issues Facing Employers” in collaboration with the Cape Cod Human Resources Association (“CCHRA”) on June 23, 2022. MHTL has been presenting their legal update for the CCHRA for many years. Attorneys Kier Wachterhauser, Sarah Spatafore, and Rachel Millette presented on behalf of MHTL this year. Their presentation included a quick case update of recent federal and state court cases with impacts on employers, a quick regulatory update with agency updates and recent amendments changes at federal and state level, and finished with the topic of hiring in a tight labor market which included tips on how to avoid legal pitfalls now and later.
Ms. Spatafore practices primarily in the labor and employment area and has represented clients before a number of courts and administrative tribunals at both the state and federal level. In addition, she often assists in education issues. She graduated from Bates College and received her Juris Doctor, with Honors, from Boston College Law School. Kier Wachterhauser represents private and public sector 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. Ms. Millette’s practices in both labor and employment law and municipal law representing both private and public employers. She graduated summa cum laude from Boston College in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in French, and received her Juris Doctorate from Northeastern University School of Law in 2019.
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.
Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP Partner Prevails in U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Attorney Felicia Vasudevan, a partner at Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP, received a favorable decision on behalf of her client, Marshfield Public Schools. The Plaintiff appealed the district court’s judgement that upheld a decision of the Massachusetts Bureau of Special Education Appeals (“BSEA”). However, as the notice was filed more than 30 days after entry, the First Circuit ultimately dismissed the appeal for being untimely. The Plaintiff also appealed the district court’s order, denying her motion to vacate. Read More
New Features of Public Participation at School Committee Meetings
Following our Alert from March 16, 2023, Civility is Dead – The Supreme Court Rules Municipal Control of Public Speak Limited to Reasonable Time/Place/Manner Restrictions, which discussed the holding to the Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Barron v. Kolenda and the Town of Southborough (SJC-13284), we promised to bring you more detailed guidance on developing a Public Speak policy for your public body or municipality. The Barron case involved a constitutional challenge to the Town of Southborough’s public comment policy, which attempted to impose a code of civility on members of the public who participated in public comment before public bodies. In Barron, the court interpreted the state constitution to mean that public bodies may request, but not require, that public commentators be respectful and courteous. Instead, a public body may set restrictions on reasonable time, place, and manner comments to ensure that the meeting retains an orderly and peaceable manner.
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