Chambers USA 2017 Ranks MBJ in Top Tier of Labor and Employment Defense Firms in Massachusetts

Morgan, Brown & Joy, LLP 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 2017, 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)

Market sources regard the firm as “one of the preeminent labor and employment practices in Boston.”

Praised by commentators as a “very strong” firm full of “talented individuals.”

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 wins praise from commentators for his “amazing experience in labor” and for being “very good around the table and very effective in labor negotiations.” DiGiovanni’s practice is largely oriented toward handling labor and employment matters affecting colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning.

Laurence Donoghue represents clients in a broad spectrum of labor and employment matters, including union organizing matters, arbitrations, NLRB proceedings and the defense of workplace claims. Donoghue represents both private and public sector employers and is also experienced in all issues pertaining to noncompete and nondisclosure agreements.

Robert Joy wins praise as a “first-class” attorney with a “great reputation” in the Massachusetts labor and employment market. He is a highly experienced trial attorney who has argued cases before many state and federal courts, including the Supreme Court.

William Joy is a “wonderful lawyer” whose practice is concentrated on the representation of management-side clients in a wide range of labor relations matters. Joy’s areas of expertise include collective bargaining and union organization matters, and he is a strong choice of counsel for litigation, arbitrations and NLRB hearings.

Jaclyn Kugell the highly regarded Jaclyn Kugell “does a lot of good work” in employment litigation, according to industry sources. She represents clients in discrimination and harassment claims, arbitration hearings and the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements.

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.