Boston – New England Legal Foundation President Dan Winslow today announced the appointment of Diane M. Saunders, Shareholder at Ogletree Deakins, to the Foundation’s Massachusetts Advisory Council. “Diane brings a focus on retail and employment law that is a common thread to much of our region’s economic vitality. We look forward to adding her practical and experienced labor and employment perspective to add value to our advocacy.”
Ms. Saunders is a skilled and aggressive litigator and possesses significant expertise in class and collective action matters and complex cases. Ms. Saunders has been helping employers with their labor and employment issues and business disputes for over 20 years. Her clients include businesses of all sizes and in a variety of industries, as well as non-profit organizations. She is a Chair of the firm’s Retail Practice Group, and a member of the firm’s Steering Committee for the Class Action Practice Group.
Ms. Saunders has tried over a dozen matters in federal and state courts, as well as before administrative agencies and in arbitration proceedings. Ms. Saunders regularly handles appeals in state and federal courts. She also defends employers in investigations and enforcement actions conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Representative matters include wage and hour, confidential information, trade secret and non-competition issues, discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, whistleblower, and workplace torts and contract disputes.
Ms. Saunders defends class and collective action suits alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Equal Pay Act, and Massachusetts wage and hour laws, including the Massachusetts Tips Law and the Massachusetts Independent Contractor Law. She also defends pattern and practice discrimination class actions, including allegations of class-wide discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation.
Winslow noted that the New England Legal Foundation is expanding the membership of its Advisory Councils for all six states in the region this year. In-house counsel and law firm partners interested in serving on a state Advisory Council may contact NELF at info@newenglandlegal.org
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About the New England Legal Foundation: For nearly 50 years, the New England Legal Foundation has filed amicus briefs and impact litigation in support of free enterprise, property rights, good and limited government, and inclusive economic growth. NELF Website Follow NELF on: Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube