The at-will employment doctrine is a double-edged sword in the workplace, offering both freedom and uncertainty. It gives employees the flexibility to walk away from a job without strings attached, while employers can make staffing changes swiftly without protracted legal complications. Yet, with this freedom comes a shadow of unpredictability—where job security can feel fragile, […]
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The U.S. District Court of Northern Texas issued a final judgment in a case challenging the Federal Trade Commission’s (the “FTC”) new rule banning employment related non-compete clauses. The August 20, 2024, ruling was issued in a suit brought by the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, among other co-plaintiffs, against the […]
Rudolph Friedmann LLP is pleased to announce that three of its lawyers have received recognition in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in America© and one attorney has been named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America list. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the […]
Adam Shafran, a partner at the firm, recently represented James Raleigh in an action in Middlesex Superior Court, James Raleigh v. Lighthouse Life Sciences Partners, LLC et al. (Middlesex Superior Court, No. 2281CV00230). James Raleigh (“Raleigh”) was a member and minority owner (10 percent) of Lighthouse Life Sciences Partners, LLC (“Lighthouse”) and worked for the company […]
Vinay Mehra (“Mehra”), former President of Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC (the “Globe”), brought a lawsuit against the Globe asserting claims to recover monies he claimed were owed to him after he was terminated by the Globe. Count I of Mehra’s complaint was a claim for violation of the Massachusetts Wage Act, G.L. c. 149, […]
On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) approved a new rule prohibiting employment related non-compete clauses. FTC Commissioners voted 3-2 along party lines to approve the new rule. The rule will be effective 120 days after publication in the Federal Register, and employees and employers should expect the rule to become effective […]
In Massachusetts, the Supplier Diversity Program is a state program that encourages state agencies to award state contracts to certified diverse businesses. To qualify for the program, companies must be certified as a diverse business in any of the following categories: Minority Business Enterprises Women Business Enterprises Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises Veteran Business Enterprises Lesbian, […]
For nearly two decades, the First Circuit has recognized that there can typically be no failure to hire an individual without allegations that the individual applied for the job at issue. While noting that there may be certain facts that render an application unfeasible, this has been a rare finding. The United States District Court […]
On June 21, 2023, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued its decision in Adams v. Schneider Electric USA, Inc., addressing the so-called “Cat’s Paw” theory of liability. In reversing summary judgment originally granted in favor of the employer Schneider Electric, the SJC concluded that an employer can still violate the Massachusetts anti-discrimination statute, G.L. c. […]
The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts recently issued a favorable decision for remote employees seeking to invoke the protections of the Massachusetts Wage Act. The Wage Act is a generous statute for employees that provides for treble damages as liquidated damages for any lost wages, as well as attorney’s fees, costs, […]
