Chambers USA 2016 Ranks MBJ in Top Tier of Labor and Employment Defense Firms in Massachusetts

Morgan, Brown & Joy has once again been recognized for its outstanding work in the fields of Labor and Employment Law by a leading national survey that rates business law firms. In 2016, Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Business Lawyers ranked MBJ in “Band 1” – the top band of its rankings for Massachusetts management-side firms.

Chambers described MBJ as follows:

What the team is known for

Impressive labor and employment practice offering employers and senior management teams quality advice in a range of workplace-related compliance and litigation issues. Exhibits strengths in both traditional labor law issues and contentious employment matters including union organization, wage and hour disputes and ERISA litigation.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)

“What we love about Morgan, Brown and Joy is that they give us recommendations but are open to our feedback; their goal is to reach the best solution for our company.”

“Excellent client service and good value for the expertise and experience provided.”

As Chambers notes,

The firm’s continued longevity and success can be credited to its ability to respond rapidly to changes in the law and the workplace and to the value and return on investment that it provides employers. The firm represents clients before courts at all levels, including the United States Supreme Court as well as state and federal agencies. Clients range from Fortune 100 corporations to small businesses and across all sectors of the economy including retailing, technology, biotechnology, healthcare, colleges and universities, utilities, insurance, banking, government and manufacturing. Morgan, Brown & Joy’s focus is on anticipating and finding solutions to the ever-expanding range of employment-related legal issues in order to avoid the time and cost of litigation. When litigation becomes necessary, the firm aggressively defends its clients and has a proven record of litigation success.

Chambers also identified “notable practitioners” at MBJ:

Nicholas DiGiovanni has developed an excellent reputation for his labor and employment practice, which is largely tailored toward issues affecting universities and colleges. He is well regarded among market commentators for his higher education work, and they find him “very solid and very knowledgeable in terms of what he does.”

Laurence Donoghue has far-reaching expertise in traditional labor law matters, which often sees him advising a wide range of public and private management clients on contract negotiations and arbitrations. He is also experienced in a broad range of employment issues relating to noncompete agreements and discrimination disputes.

Robert Joy’s clients describe him as an “amazing” lawyer, who “consistently provides us with well-researched and measured advice, and navigates us through many unique situations.” He is experienced in a wide range of employment and labor issues, which has led to him having great success in representing employers before state and federal courts.

William Joy’s practice centers around the representation of major employers in all manner of labor relations matters including collective bargaining and union organization. He is often called upon by senior management teams to counsel them in these matters and to represent them in arbitral proceedings.

Jaclyn Kugell is highly respected for her employment litigation work, where she has enjoyed particular success in discrimination and sexual harassment claims. Clients attest that she is a “fabulous lawyer who makes complicated issues easy for our employees to comprehend.”

Nathan Kaitz represents clients from both the private and public sector in labor relations issues including collective bargaining agreements and arbitrations, where his clients particularly appreciate that he is “well prepared and well versed in the legal issues.” He is also widely familiar with major employment litigation matters and often counsels senior employees and human resources teams on compliance issues.

According to its website, Chambers USA researchers interviewed a vast range of lawyers and their clients. The qualities on which rankings are assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client. The Chambers USA Guide ranks law firms and individual lawyers.