McLane Middleton

Mitigating Employment Risks: Strategies to Safeguard Your Business
2023-06-13 08:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Great Bay Community College, 320 Corporate Dr, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, United States
Companies are exposed to millions of dollars of employment-related risk every year through potential fines, penalties, settlements, lawsuits, legal fees, business disruptions, and reputational harm. In today’s ever-changing employment landscape, it’s crucial to stay one step ahead. Join us to gain insight about how you can customize EPLI to protect you from financial losses and identify business strategies to mitigate your organizational exposure. Industry experts, Marcy Bauers, a VP and Risk Advisor with USI and Amy Cann, an Employment & Privacy Attorney with McLane Middleton will guide you through an informative conversation using case studies and opportunities for Q&A.

What's Her Story Featuring Maria Proulx
2023-05-31 16:30 - 19:00 | Manchester Office, 900 Elm Street, Manchester, NH, 03101, United States
Part of a series of fireside chats with successful business women.

This networking series features successful women sharing their stories with other business owners and executives. Our guest speaker, Maria Proulx, President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire, will sit down with McLane Middleton attorney Linda Johnson to discuss her story and 16 years in the healthcare industry. As part of the conversation, Maria will discuss the importance of collaborating with elected officials, regulators, providers, employers, and other key stakeholders to drive improvements in healthcare access, quality, experience, outcomes, and affordability in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Employment Law Update
2023-05-02 08:30 - 17:00 | Castleton Banquet & Conference Center, 58 Enterprise Drive, Windham, NH, 03087
McLane Middleton’s annual New Hampshire Employment Law Update will take place on on May 2, 2023 at the Castleton Banquet & Conference Center in Windham, NH.
Join our employment attorneys as we discuss the latest trends in employment law. As always, we will share “News You Can Use,” along with presentations on topics affecting employers today.
Agenda:
8:00 a.m.
Registration
8:30 a.m.
News You Can Use
Presenters: Adam M. Hamel & Jennifer L. Parent
9:30 a.m.
Employee Benefits Update
Presenter: John E. Rich, Jr.
10:00 a.m.
Break
10:15 a.m.
Responding to Workplace Accommodations
Presenters: Adam M. Hamel & Vineesha Sow
11:00 a.m.
Avoiding Risks with Recruiting and Hiring: Interview Do’s & Dont’s
Presenter: Brian B. Garrett
11:45 a.m.
What Your Non-Union Workplace Needs to Know About the NLRB Recent Rulings
Presenter: Adam M. Hamel
12:15 p.m.
Lunch
1:15 p.m.
Workplace Safety Requirements – OSHA and Workers Compensation
Presenter: Amy M. Cann
1:45 p.m.
An Employee has Been Injured in the Workplace – Now What?
Presenter: Peg O’Brien
2:30 p.m.
H-1B Overview and Updates
Presenter: Shiva Karimi
3:00 p.m.
Break
3:15 p.m.
Performance Management – Discipline and Discharge Issues
Presenters: Jennifer L. Parent and Amy M. Cann
4:00 p.m.
Q&A/Wrap-up
4:15 p.m.
Reception
McLane Middleton will be offering HRCI and SHRM credits for this event.

Employee Injuries & Accommodations
2023-04-25 07:30 - 09:00 | McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office, 300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600, Woburn, MA, 01801
An employee has been injured on the job, now what? When an employee is injured in the workplace, most employers know they must report the incident to their workers’ compensation insurance carriers and the applicable state Department of Industrial Accidents/Department of Labor. But, frequently other employment laws arise simultaneously and are overlooked, such as the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Our employment attorneys will discuss these employment law issues and explain how you can achieve compliance with your obligations under the applicable leave or accommodation statute and avoid litigation risks.

What's Her Story: Carla McCall
2023-03-21 16:30 - 19:00 | McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office, 300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600, Woburn, MA, 01801
After a COVID-induced hiatus, McLane Middleton is excited to announce the return of its “What’s Her Story” series in time to celebrate Women’s History Month! This networking series features successful women sharing their stories with other business owners and executives. Our guest speaker, Carla McCall, Managing Partner at AAFCPAs, will sit down with McLane Middleton attorney Jennifer Parent to discuss her story that led her to being named one of the Most Powerful Women in Accounting. As part of the conversation, Carla will provide tips on creating new pathways to growth, sustainability, and excellence in the field.

Hot Topics in Business Immigration
2023-02-22 07:30 - 09:00 | McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office, 300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600, Woburn, MA, 01801
McLane Middleton attorney Shiva Karimi discusses hot topics in business immigration. Topics to include:
H-1B FY2024 Lottery Overview

Who to apply for: Recent foreign graduates, employees outside the U.S., etc.
Registration process for “H-1B lottery”.
Planning for alternatives to H-1B if not selected

In addition, if you have any employees who will be graduating or have recently graduated and are authorized to work pursuant to Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT, now is the time to begin strategizing for this year’s H-1B cap registration. H-1B registration is right around the corner (early March) and only occurs once a year. Employers should review the employment authorization status of their current and potential employees and identify any individuals who may benefit from entering H-1B registration.

Hot topics in business immigration are always changing, so the topics above are just a sampling of what may be discussed. The program will cover the latest news as of the presentation date.

2023 Real Estate Market Outlook
2023-02-16 07:30 - 09:00 | McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office, 300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600, Woburn, MA, 01801
With a fluctuating real estate market the past few years, what does 2023 have in store?

Join us for lively panel discussion with industry experts forecasting this year’s market outlook. Topics will include:

National and Global Markets
Commercial and Residential Real Estate locally
Impact of increased construction costs and supply chain delays
Rapid rise of interest rates
Remote work policies and space requirements
Repurposing from commercial to residential
Effects of technology
And many more!

Modifying Irrevocable Trusts
2023-02-08 08:00 - 09:30 | Great Bay Community College, 320 Corporate Dr, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, United States
As circumstances, laws, and goals change over time, it can become necessary to modify an irrevocable trust. Estate planners and trustees can utilize various options to modify irrevocable trusts, including decanting, non-judicial settlement agreements, trustee modifications, and Probate Court modifications. Join attorneys Whitney A. Gagnon and Denis P. Dillon as they discuss how and when to modify irrevocable trusts, the advantages and disadvantages, and the typical circumstances under which irrevocable trusts are modified.

An Employer’s 2023 To-Do List
2023-01-24 07:30 - 09:00 | McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office, 300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600, Woburn, MA, 01801
Join members of McLane Middleton’s Employment Law Practice Group as we discuss items that should be on every employer’s to-do list in 2023. Topics will include, employee classification, wage and hour, employee handbooks, and more.

Preparing for a Successful Transaction in 2023: What You Need to Know
2023-01-19 16:30 - 19:00 | McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office, 300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600, Woburn, MA, 01801
In this seminar, McLane Middleton and Baker Newman Noyes will discuss critically important pre-transaction considerations for owners/managers. Attendees will walk away with best practices for preparing for a business transaction, an understanding of the importance of coordinating personal and corporate planning, and an outlook of what’s on the horizon for M&A in 2023.

McLane Middleton’s legal experts will walk through the effective use of valuable planning vehicles (e.g. due dilligence, estate planning) while Baker Newman Noyes, transaction and tax specialists, will discuss succession planning and structuring strategies and how to prepare your business to both optimize value in a sale as well as mitigate the risk of a failed transaction.

With the recognition of such an important milestone in a business owner’s life, McLane Middleton and Baker Newman Noyes’ pre-transaction preparation seminar is designed to provide a powerful roadmap for a successful, long-term business transition.

Counseling Fiduciaries
2022-11-29 07:30 - 09:00 | McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office, 300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600, Woburn, MA, 01801
Serving as a fiduciary is an important job—and one that comes with serious personal risk. As the number of lawsuits against personal representatives and trustees increase, it is imperative for a fiduciary to understand his or her duties and responsibilities. Join attorney Bradford Vezina as he highlights a potpourri of common issues and traps that may arise during the course of an estate or trust administration and best practices to avoid litigation.

2022 Massachusetts Employment Law Update
2022-11-09 08:00 - 12:30 | McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office, 300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600, Woburn, MA, 01801
This year’s Massachusetts Employment Law Update presented by McLane Middleton’s employment attorneys will take place on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 from 8:30a.m. to 12:30p.m. in the Conference Center at McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office.
This half-day event will provide important legal updates relating to the human resource function of business. Join our employment attorneys in discussing the latest trends in employment law as we prepare you to manage your workforce in the coming year.
Program
Registration: 8:00 a.m.
Program: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Agenda
8:00 a.m.
Registration/Welcome
8:30 a.m.
News You Can Use
Presenters: Adam M. Hamel, Linda S. Johnson
9:15 a.m.
Restrictive Covenants
Presenter: Adam M. Hamel
10:00 a.m.
Wage and Hour Update
Presenter: Margaret “Peg” O’Brien
BREAK 10:45 – 11:00
11:00 a.m.
Workplace Investigations: Understanding When They Are Necessary and Demystifying the Process
Presenter: Susan E. Schorr
11:45 a.m.
Effectively Responding to and Handling Employee Accommodation Requests
Presenters: Brian B. Garrett and Linda S. Johnson

Credits
McLane Middleton will be offering HRCI and SHRM credits for this event.
Cost
Registration is $75.00 per person, and includes continental breakfast, electronic copies of materials, and credits.
Payment can be made via check or credit card and is fully refundable until Friday, November 4, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Location
McLane Middleton’s Woburn Conference Center
300 TradeCenter Drive – Suite 7600
Woburn, MA 01801

Name, Image, and Likeness - The Next Frontier for Sports Business
2022-10-27 16:30 - 19:00 | McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office, 300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600, Woburn, MA, 01801
Massachusetts allows collegiate and high school athletes to monetize and market their name, image, and likeness. Student athletes in Massachusetts are allowed to accept money from businesses in exchange for those business using their name, image, and likeness on products and in advertisements, and student athletes can also promote themselves and/or other businesses in public appearances and through their social media platforms. This presents opportunities for both student athletes and businesses, but also new challenges and issues for student athletes and the schools they attend.
Join our panel discussion on NIL rules, how high school and college athletes can profit from their name, image and likeness, and what this may mean for their schools.

Program

Registration/Networking: 4:30 p.m.
Program: 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Reception: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Cost
This event is being offered as a free education session.
Location
McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office
300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600
Woburn, MA 01801

Moderator

John. C. Colucci
Director, McLane Middleton
John has a dual background as both an attorney and CPA. This unique skill set gives him a differentiating perspective and depth of understanding of the legal issues necessary for protecting a growing business, as well as the financial drivers of operating and sustaining a successful company. John’s ability to communicate complex legal and business issues clearly, concisely and simply is a hallmark of his work, as is his easy manner, yet no-nonsense style in effectively managing business and legal matters for his clients. John has extensive experience in all areas of commercial transactions and business operations, and practices in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, business law, and business succession planning.

Speakers

Joseph A. Morales
Of Counsel, Corporate Department, McLane Middleton
Joe provides advice and representation with respect to various corporate, commercial, and business matters, including commercial contracts, entity formations and structuring issues, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital transactions, debt financings, confidentiality matters, employment issues, and securities law compliance. Throughout his career, he has represented a wide range of US and non-US clients, including ultra-high net worth individuals, family offices, private placement issuers and investors, executive management teams, and entrepreneurs.

Mike McCann
Professor, University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law
Professor Michael McCann is the Founding Director of the Sports and Entertainment Law Institute at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law and is one of the nation’s leading experts in sports law. In 2021, he testified before the United States Senate in a Commerce Committee hearing that included NCAA president Mark Emmert and centered on name, image and likeness and other reforms. Michael is also an award-winning journalist and a best-selling author – he and former NBA player Ed O’Bannon co-authored “Court Justice: The Inside Story of My Battle Against the NCAA” (Diversion Books, 2018), and he is additionally the Editor and co-author of “The Oxford Handbook of American Sports Law.” He frequently appears as a legal expert on national TV programs, and is currently on the staff of Sportico while also teaching numerous courses focusing on sports law at UNH Law.”

Carly Pariseau
Associate Athletics Director – Compliance & Student Support Services, Boston College
Carly Pariseau provides oversight of the Athletic Compliance Office which is charged with educating, interpreting, monitoring and enforcing the NCAA rules and manages aspects of student-athlete support services including financial aid, dining services and admissions. Pariseau possesses over 20 years of experience in college athletics as both an administration and coaching. She has also been a certified volleyball official and was chair of the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Rules Committee in 2009.

Doug Fillis
Founder, Accelerate Sports Ventures
A fifteen-year veteran of the sports industry, Doug Fillis leads Accelerate Sports Ventures. With a reputation for being an aggressive and progressive revenue generator, and an authentic leader who delivers innovative strategy and compelling results, Fillis is poised to revolutionize the collegiate agency experience. Additionally, his involvement in 800M+ of multi-media and brand partnership agreements provides the foundation for Accelerate to implement comprehensive solutions for the future of college athletics. Prior to launching Accelerate, Fillis was a member of the executive leadership team at IMG College responsible for its $400M multi-media rights business. Fillis oversaw and transformed the East region significantly increasing sales, revenue, and profitability.

Advanced Estate Planning Techniques
2022-10-26 07:30 - 09:00 | McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office, 300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600, Woburn, MA, 01801
Two of the more popular advanced estate planning techniques are Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) and Sales to Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs). Join attorneys William V.A Zorn and Caitlin G. McCurdy as they highlight the key features of each strategy as well as compare the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Program

Registration/Networking: 7:30 a.m.
Program: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Cost
This event is being offered as a free education session.
Location
McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office
300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600
Woburn, MA 01801

Speakers

William V.A. Zorn
Director and Vice Chair, Trusts & Estates Department, McLane Middleton
Bill is a director and vice chair of the firm’s Trusts & Estates Department. He concentrates his practice in sophisticated estate planning, including the implementation and administration of tax strategies and trusts and alternative strategies for high income and high net worth individuals, families, executives and business owners, as well as strategies involving asset protection and wealth preservation. Bill is experienced representing major lottery winners in the New England region assisting them with their income tax, gift tax, confidentiality and family planning issues.

Caitlin G. McCurdy
Director, Trusts & Estates Department, McLane Middleton
Caitlin is a Director in the Trusts and Estates Department where she represents clients in a variety of areas including estate planning, tax planning, and trust and estate administration. She works with clients to implement sophisticated tax strategies, including asset protection and wealth preservation plans for individuals, families, and business owners. Caitlin also advises secondary schools and non-profit organizations on charitable planning issues and has experience working with families to establish family compound trusts to successfully pass legacy real estate to the next generation.

Modifying Irrevocable Trusts
2022-09-29 07:30 - 09:00 | McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office, 300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600, Woburn, MA, 01801
As circumstances, laws, and goals change over time, it can become necessary to modify an irrevocable trust. Estate planners and trustees can utilize various options to modify irrevocable trusts, including decanting, non-judicial settlement agreements, trustee modifications, and Probate Court modifications. Join attorneys Ryan J. Swartz and Katie E. Hislop as they discuss how and when to modify irrevocable trusts, the advantages and disadvantages, and the typical circumstances under which irrevocable trusts are modified.

Program

Registration/Networking: 7:30 a.m.
Program: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Cost
This event is being offered as a free education session.
Location
McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office
300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600
Woburn, MA 01801

Speakers

Ryan J. Swartz
Director and Chair, Trusts & Estates Department, McLane Middleton
Ryan advises individuals and families regarding various estate planning matters, including estate, gift, income and generation skipping transfer tax strategies. He advises fiduciaries in conservatorship, probate and trust administration matters. Ryan also counsels individuals and business owners regarding business succession planning and various asset protection techniques, including limited liability companies and asset protection trusts.

Katie E. Hislop
Associate, Trusts & Estates Department, McLane Middleton
Katie represents clients in a variety of areas including estate planning, tax planning, fiduciary matters, and estate and trust administration. Katie received a dual Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and Political Science with concentrations in International Politics and Latin American Studies from The George Washington University. She received her J.D., cum laude, from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

Seminar with Secretary Mike Kennealy
2022-09-20 07:30 - 09:00 | McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office, 300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600, Woburn, MA, 01801
As Secretary of Housing and Economic Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mike Kennealy is responsible for advancing the Baker-Polito Administration’s agenda to create economic opportunity for residents, collaborative leadership in communities, an environment that supports job creation and business growth, and new housing for residents through targeted investments. Listen to Mike discuss his experiences as Secretary and hear him talk about the current state of the Massachusetts economy and efforts to create opportunities for its residents.

Program

Registration/Networking: 7:30 a.m.
Program: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Cost
This event is being offered as a free education session.
Location
McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office
300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600
Woburn, MA 01801

Speaker

Michael Kennealy
Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development
Mike is the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development for Massachusetts. In early 2015, Kennealy joined the Administration as Assistant Secretary for Business Growth. As Assistant Secretary, Kennealy played an integral role in advancing the administration’s strategy for job creation and business development across the entire Commonwealth and provided leadership in key sectors, including serving as co-chair of the board of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. Kennealy combines a successful track record in the private sector with a strong commitment to the public good.

Affordable Housing Development: How It Happens (or not), Where It Happens (or not), Who Needs It, and Why It Matters to Business & Community
2022-08-18 07:30 - 09:00 | McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office, 300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600, Woburn, MA, 01801
The housing crisis in Massachusetts is impacting the economy, families, the elderly, individuals, small and large businesses alike. The Baker Administration has made housing a top priority for the state, seeking to create more than 100,000 housing units over the next 5 years. This will require the participation of all cities and towns in the Commonwealth.

Join Andrew DeFranza from Harborlight and Laura Shufelt from the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, two industry experts, for a lively and informative discussion on the current housing crisis, how we got here, how it can be addressed, and why we should.
Harborlight is a Massachusetts certified Community Development Corporation which develops, manages, and advocates for quality, service-enriched, affordable homes for elders, families, disabled individuals, essential workers, and those who have experienced homelessness. Harborlight’s mission is to create and maintain properties that are affordable and inclusive, doing so collaboratively with communities to cultivate just, equitable and sustainable housing opportunities.
The Massachusetts Housing Partnership is a statewide public nonprofit affordable housing organization that works in concert with the Governor and the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to help increase the supply of affordable housing in Massachusetts.

Program
Registration/Networking: 7:30 a.m.
Program: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Cost
This event is being offered as a free education session.
Location
McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office
300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600
Woburn, MA 01801

Speakers

Andrew DeFranza
Executive Director, Harborlight Community Partners

Andrew DeFranza is the Executive Director of Harborlight Community Partners since 2007. Andrew describes himself as a “short, working class, Italian guy from New Jersey with an accidental white-collar education.” It was in New Jersey, while working the second shift in an Atlantic City men’s homeless shelter, that he witnessed the very real, pressing issues related to homelessness and its harsh challenges. Andrew boldly addresses in public forums the barriers to housing creation, racial equity and access, and actively engages in dialogues with communities to address housing needs and goals.

Laura Shufelt
Director of Community Assistance, Massachusetts Housing Partnership

Laura Shufelt came to the Massachusetts Housing Partnership in 2011 after working in affordable housing finance, development and technical assistance on Cape Cod for 20 years. She provides technical assistance to municipalities, housing authorities, and non-profit developers regarding affordable housing development and policy. Her specialty is assisting communities and local housing authorities to dispose of their surplus land for the creation of affordable housing. Laura is active in local town government and non-profit boards.

Independent Schools, Tax-Exempt Status, and Title IX: Implications of Recent Federal Court Decisions
2022-08-04 14:00 - 15:00 | NH
Federal courts in both Maryland and California have recently held that an independent school’s 501(c)(3) status, alone, subjects it to Title IX. While these rulings are, for the moment, limited to independent schools in Maryland and California, they signal a potential sea change in whether or how independent schools must comply with various federal laws including Title IX (sex), Title VI (race), the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
In this engaging webinar, Linda S. Johnson, Susan E. Schorr, and Brian B. Garrett will analyze the impact of these rulings on independent schools in Maryland, California, and throughout the country. We will provide a primer on Title IX including its various obligations on covered institutions, and explore the various options schools have to address this development as well as the impact these decisions may have on the expected standard of care for all independent schools. Listen in to find out if your school should consider (a) having an assigned Title IX or Title IX-like coordinator, (b) whether you need to modify your existing policies and procedures, (c) how you process complaints or conduct investigations and (d) what types of postings and notices should be provided.
Program
Webinar – 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET
Cost
This event is being offered as a free education session.
Location
Webinar

Linda S. Johnson
Director, McLane Middleton
Chair of the firm’s Education Law Group
Linda focuses her practice on understanding and serving the needs of K-12 independent schools. She serves as outside legal counsel and a consultant to many of the country’s top independent day and boarding schools. She advises her clients on all aspects of school operations including employment law, student discipline, contracts, fiduciary and tort law, leadership development, investigations, compliance audits, risk management, crisis response, and student safety. Linda consults with schools on both prevention and response to all types of educator misconduct and student on student sexual assaults.

Brian B. Garrett
Of Counsel, McLane Middleton
Vice Chair of the firm’s Education Law Group
Brian has extensive experience in a broad range of education, employment, and complex commercial litigation matters throughout the country, including in state and federal courts, in alternative resolution processes, and before various administrative agencies. Brian focuses his practice on understanding and serving the needs of independent day and boarding schools, colleges and universities, and early child care programs. Brian partners with many of the country’s leading independent schools to provide comprehensive advice on all aspects of school operations, including establishing new schools, student and parent issues, employment matters, school governance and leadership, and general risk management. He works closely with board chairs, heads of schools, financial officers, and other senior leadership members in tackling complex matters affecting school communities.

Susan E. Schorr
Of Counsel, McLane Middleton
Vice Chair of the firm’s Education Law Group
Susan focuses her practice on education and employment, helping clients with general risk management, real-time problem solving, and crisis management. Grounded in thorough legal analysis, she offers practical advice and responsiveness. With a background as a social worker, public administrator, and a trustee of non-profit organizations herself, Susan approaches client challenges with an ability to integrate a variety of problem-solving frameworks, helping clients to arrive at practical solutions.

An Employee Handbook Refresher Course for Independent Schools
2022-06-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar, Webinar
Independent schools had to update policies covering remote work, sick leave, immunizations and other protocols over the past two years thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic.
As our ability to cope with the pandemic evolves, the summertime is the right time to take a fresh look at the employee and faculty handbook as a whole to make sure it reflects any updated state and federal requirements (not necessarily related to Covid), in addition to examining any practices at your school that may have been introduced because of the pandemic but that are here to stay.
Join McLane Middleton’s education attorneys Linda Johnson, Brian Garrett, and Susan Schorr as they walk through essential updates for employee handbooks, including a review of behavioral standards to help ensure that interactions between colleagues and between colleagues and students are healthy and respectful. We will provide attendees with a sample table of contents to help schools ensure that they are covering all the policies that generally apply to independent schools.
Program
Webinar – 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET
Cost
This event is being offered as a free education session.
Location
Webinar

Linda S. Johnson
Director, McLane Middleton
Chair of the firm’s Education Law Group
Linda focuses her practice on understanding and serving the needs of K-12 independent schools. She serves as outside legal counsel and a consultant to many of the country’s top independent day and boarding schools. She advises her clients on all aspects of school operations including employment law, student discipline, contracts, fiduciary and tort law, leadership development, investigations, compliance audits, risk management, crisis response, and student safety. Linda consults with schools on both prevention and response to all types of educator misconduct and student on student sexual assaults.

Brian B. Garrett
Of Counsel, McLane Middleton
Vice Chair of the firm’s Education Law Group
Brian has extensive experience in a broad range of education, employment, and complex commercial litigation matters throughout the country, including in state and federal courts, in alternative resolution processes, and before various administrative agencies. Brian focuses his practice on understanding and serving the needs of independent day and boarding schools, colleges and universities, and early child care programs. Brian partners with many of the country’s leading independent schools to provide comprehensive advice on all aspects of school operations, including establishing new schools, student and parent issues, employment matters, school governance and leadership, and general risk management. He works closely with board chairs, heads of schools, financial officers, and other senior leadership members in tackling complex matters affecting school communities.

Susan E. Schorr
Of Counsel, McLane Middleton
Vice Chair of the firm’s Education Law Group
Susan focuses her practice on education and employment, helping clients with general risk management, real-time problem solving, and crisis management. Grounded in thorough legal analysis, she offers practical advice and responsiveness. With a background as a social worker, public administrator, and a trustee of non-profit organizations herself, Susan approaches client challenges with an ability to integrate a variety of problem-solving frameworks, helping clients to arrive at practical solutions.

2022 New Hampshire Employment Law Update
2022-05-24 08:00 - 17:00 | Castleton Banquet & Conference Center, 58 Enterprise Drive, Windham, NH, 03087
After a 2+ year hiatus due to COVID-19, we are excited to announce our 2022 New Hampshire Employment Law Update will take place on May 24, 2022 at the Castleton Banquet & Conference Center in Windham, NH.
Join our employment attorneys in discussing the latest trends in employment law as we prepare you to manage your workforce in the coming year.
Agenda
8:00 a.m.
Registration/Welcome
8:30 a.m.
News You Can Use
Presenters: Adam M. Hamel, Jennifer L. Parent, John E. Rich, Jr.
9:45 a.m.
Effectively Responding To and Handling Employee Accommodation Requests
Presenters: Linda S. Johnson and Brian B. Garrett
10:30 a.m.
Break
10:45 a.m.
Romantic Relationships in the Workplace
Presenter: Margaret “Peg” O’Brien
11:15 a.m.
Workplace Investigations: Understanding When They Are Necessary and Demystifying the Process
Presenter: Susan E. Schorr
12:15 p.m.
Lunch
1:15 p.m.
Restrictive Covenants
Presenter: Adam M. Hamel
1:45 p.m.
HR’s Role in Cybersecurity
Presenter: Cameron G. Shilling
2:30 p.m.
Break
2:45 p.m.
Wage and Hour Update
Presenter: Margaret “Peg” O’Brien
3:15 p.m.
Understanding and Preventing Retaliation
Presenters: Linda S. Johnson and Jennifer L. Parent
4:30 p.m.
Q&A/Wrap-Up/Reception
For full session descriptions, click here.

Program
Registration: 8:00 a.m.
Program: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Credits
McLane Middleton will be offering 6.5 HRCI and SHRM credit hours for this event.

Cost
Registration is $150 per person, and includes continental breakfast, lunch, networking reception, electronic copies of materials, and credits.
Payment can be made via credit card and is fully refundable until Friday, May 20, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Location
Castleton Banquet & Conference Center
58 Enterprise Drive
Windham, NH 03087

So You Want to Sell Your Business...Now What?
2022-05-05 07:30 - 09:00 | McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office, 300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600, Woburn, MA, 01801
After a 2+ year hiatus due to COVID-19, we are excited to announce the return of our in-person seminar series in our Woburn office!
Most business owners come to a point where they want or need to make a transition. Some may have built the business in anticipation of a sale, while others may be approaching retirement without a succession plan. Either way, the owner is likely to consider selling to a third party.
Now what?
Our panel of expert business advisors will be on hand to discuss the process of preparing for and executing a business sale. They will share their experiences, answer your burning questions and discuss the following key topics:

What key advisors should I have on my team and how do they work together?
What can I do to prepare my business for sale?
How much is my business worth? What can I do to enhance its value?
Who would be interested in buying my business and how do I find them?
What are the key business terms in a sale transaction?
How can the structure of the transaction impact the financial outcome to both the buyer and the seller?
What is due diligence and how can I prepare for it? What are some common pitfalls/why do deals fall apart in diligence?
What are “representations and warranties”?
How long will it take to close the deal?
What happens after closing?
What can I expect my role to be after the transaction?

Program
Registration/Networking: 7:30 a.m.
Program: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Cost
This event is being offered as a free education session.
Location
McLane Middleton’s Woburn Office
300 TradeCenter, Suite 7600
Woburn, MA 01801

Moderator

John D. Colucci
Director, McLane Middleton
John has a dual background as both an attorney and CPA. This unique skill set gives him a differentiating perspective and depth of understanding of the legal issues necessary for protecting a growing business, as well as the financial drivers of operating and sustaining a successful company. John’s ability to communicate complex legal and business issues clearly, concisely and simply is a hallmark of his work, as is his easy manner, yet no-nonsense style in effectively managing business and legal matters for his clients. John has extensive experience in all areas of commercial transactions and business operations, and practices in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, business law, and business succession planning.
Panelists

Kimberly A. Kramer
Director, McLane Middleton
Kim represents entrepreneurs, closely held and family owned businesses in transactional matters ranging from entity selection and formation to drafting and negotiation of shareholder and operating agreements and other complex contracts including distribution, joint venture and licensing agreements. She is experienced in asset and stock sales including the successful transfer of ownership to third parties, the next generation and key employees. She also represents companies in convertible debt, private equity and venture financing transactions.

Mike Kent
Managing Director, BellMark Partners, LLC
Mike Kent is a Managing Director at BellMark Partners, LLC and is primarily responsible for originating and executing investment banking assignments for the firm. With more than 20 years of investment banking experience, Mike has completed a range of transactions across business services, healthcare, consumer and industrial industries. Mike’s expertise includes advising family- and entrepreneur-owned businesses as well as private equity-backed enterprises on a range of strategic alternatives which include mergers & acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, and capital raising & financings.

David Richards
Managing Partner, CRR, LLP
As the head of the firm’s Transaction Advisory Group, David regularly advises his clients on the sale of their businesses, as well as mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures. David’s skillset is valuable throughout all stages of the transaction process, and through early involvement he is able to help maximize the financial results for his clients. His tactical approach to buyer and seller due diligence enables a smooth transaction process, with a focus on facilitating a well-organized transition for both sides. He also frequently speaks and writes on these topics and hosts transaction related seminars and workshops.

Student Handbooks: Essential Updates for the New School Year
2022-05-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar, Webinar
Graduation will be here before you know it—a new beginning for students, and a signal to administrators that it is time to focus on summer projects, including updating the student handbook for the 2022-2023 school year.
Take a deep breath and join McLane Middleton’s Brian Garrett and Susan Schorr as they provide guidance on how to tackle this project. Based on what they have seen during the current school year, independent schools will want to make sure policies addressing communicable illness and vaccines (not just for Covid), student discipline, sexual conduct and consent, gender identity (documentation, dress code, living arrangements for boarding schools), harassment and cyber-misconduct, just to name a few, are all reviewed and updated to reflect evolving state laws and best practices.
Brian and Susan will review a sample table of contents to help schools ensure that they are covering all the policies that generally apply to independent schools.
Program
Webinar – 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET
Cost
This event is being offered as a free education session.
Location
Webinar

Brian B. Garrett
Of Counsel, McLane Middleton
Vice Chair of the firm’s Education Law Group
Brian has extensive experience in a broad range of education, employment, and complex commercial litigation matters throughout the country, including in state and federal courts, in alternative resolution processes, and before various administrative agencies. Brian focuses his practice on understanding and serving the needs of independent day and boarding schools, colleges and universities, and early child care programs. Brian partners with many of the country’s leading independent schools to provide comprehensive advice on all aspects of school operations, including establishing new schools, student and parent issues, employment matters, school governance and leadership, and general risk management. He works closely with board chairs, heads of schools, financial officers, and other senior leadership members in tackling complex matters affecting school communities.

Susan E. Schorr
Of Counsel, McLane Middleton
Vice Chair of the firm’s Education Law Group
Susan focuses her practice on education and employment, helping clients with general risk management, real-time problem solving, and crisis management. Grounded in thorough legal analysis, she offers practical advice and responsiveness. With a background as a social worker, public administrator, and a trustee of non-profit organizations herself, Susan approaches client challenges with an ability to integrate a variety of problem-solving frameworks, helping clients to arrive at practical solutions.

Cybersecurity Threats and Preparedness for Independent Schools
2021-12-08 12:00 - 14:30 | NH
McLane Middleton’s Information Privacy and Security Group is delivering a hands-on virtual workshop addressing cybersecurity threats and preparedness for independent schools on December 8, 2021 from 12:00-2:30 p.m. ET.
The workshop will be co-led by Cam Shilling, Chair of McLane Middleton’s Information Privacy and Security Group, and Paige Yeater, Director of Information Security Program Management at Mainstay Technologies.
McLane Middleton and Mainstay have worked with numerous schools throughout New England and around the country to increase their cybersecurity preparedness and avoid expensive and reputation-damaging breaches.
The workshop will be for heads of school, CFOs, business officers, and IT directors, in order to help schools understand the risk assessment process, start preparing your school for it, and even begin to assess your school’s preparedness to withstand some of the most prevalent cybersecurity dangers.
Program
Webinar – 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET
Cost
This event is being offered as a free education session.
Location
Webinar

Presenters

Cameron G. Shilling
Director, McLane Middleton
Chair of the firm’s Information Privacy and Security Group
Combining his business, technology and employment interests, Cameron has developed a depth and breadth of experience in privacy and data security. His résumé includes managing numerous data security audits, preparing and implementing written security policies, training executives, managers, and employees in data security, auditing, preparing and implementing data security agreements with vendors and business associates, addressing a wide variety of day-to-day security issues, and investigating and remediating many security breaches.
Cameron has dealt with these issues under a range of state and federal laws, including the Gramm-Leach-Blilely Act (GLB), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), the Massachusetts and California data security regulations, and a number of other state data security and breach notification laws.

Paige Yeater
Director of Information Security Program Management, Mainstay Technologies
Paige is the Director of Information Security Program Management at Mainstay Technologies. In this role, she works with clients across many industries, of many sizes, supporting their Information Security Programs.
With 20 years of experience in training, client operations and program management, she works to align business operations with Security and Compliance requirements. Most of her time is spent building programs to help support clients in their security journey. She and her team spend most of their time working with clients to educate them on their security risk and compliance requirements, and to align their business processes with a strong security posture.
Paige leverages her time in the training field to work with clients on their training and awareness programs, to ensure that their staff is well educated, aware and alert, and can help protect the organization from Security threats.
In addition to her work at Mainstay, Paige and her husband are raising two great kids who know the value of a long and complex password and she enjoys spending time outdoors, with family, and exploring New Hampshire!

Enrollment Contracts in a Post-COVID World
2021-11-18 15:00 - 16:00 | NH
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has shown a spotlight on independent schools’ enrollment contracts, these agreements have long been the legal underpinning of a clear, transparent, and healthy relationship between schools and their families.

Enrollment contacts can, of course, reinforce financial guidelines and obligations, but can also support schools with the many complex and challenging issues that crop up throughout a school year.

From effectively handling hostile parents, to navigating difficult divorce matters, to better understanding the needs of students with disabilities, well-crafted and robust enrollment contracts can be an invaluable resource for independent schools.

In this interactive session, experienced education counsel, Susan E. Schorr and Brian B. Garrett, will guide independent school leaders on the most recent trends in updating your enrollment contract for the next academic year.

Topics will include the following:

The fallout from COVID-19 in incorporating provisions relating to educational outcomes, vaccinations, e-learning, and forced school closings;
The nuts and bolts of appropriately implementing electronic agreements and signatures; and
The legal and practical considerations involved in converting to a perpetual enrollment contract.

Program
Webinar – 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
Cost
This event is being offered as a free education session.
Location
Webinar

Presenters

Susan E. Schorr
Of Counsel, McLane Middleton
Vice Chair of the firm’s Education Law Group
Susan focuses her practice on education and employment, helping clients with general risk management, real-time problem solving, and crisis management. Grounded in thorough legal analysis, she offers practical advice and responsiveness. With a background as a social worker, public administrator, and a trustee of non-profit organizations herself, Susan approaches client challenges with an ability to integrate a variety of problem-solving frameworks, helping clients to arrive at practical solutions.

Brian B. Garrett
Of Counsel, McLane Middleton
Brian has extensive experience in a broad range of education, employment, and complex commercial litigation matters throughout the country, including in state and federal courts, in alternative resolution processes, and before various administrative agencies. Brian focuses his practice on understanding and serving the needs of independent day and boarding schools, colleges and universities, and early child care programs. Brian partners with many of the country’s leading independent schools to provide comprehensive advice on all aspects of school operations, including establishing new schools, student and parent issues, employment matters, school governance and leadership, and general risk management. He works closely with board chairs, heads of schools, financial officers, and other senior leadership members in tackling complex matters affecting school communities.

OSHA's Emergency Temporary Standard on COVID Vaccinations
2021-11-10 10:00 - 11:30 | NH
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued an Emergency Temporary Standard imposing significant new requirements on employers with 100 or more employees regarding COVID-19 vaccination, testing, face coverings, notification, and recordkeeping. OSHA and the Biden Administration have said that this ETS is necessary to protect unvaccinated workers from the risk of contracting COVID-19 at work.
The agency estimates that the ETS will result in approximately 23 million additional workers getting vaccinated, and that it will prevent thousands of deaths and hospitalizations.
On November 10, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. ET, McLane Middleton’s Employment Law Practice Group will discuss the ETS and respond to common questions employers are asking about the new regulation.

Program
Webinar – 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET
Cost
This event is being offered as a free education session.
Location
Webinar

Presenters

Adam M. Hamel
Director, McLane Middleton
Chair of the firm’s Employment Law Practice Group
Adam is chair of McLane Middleton’s Employment Law Practice Group. He regularly assists employers with a variety of litigated and non-litigated employment law issues including charges of discrimination, wrongful termination, violation of restrictive covenants, wage and hour issues, among others.

Peg O’Brien
Director, McLane Middleton
Peg assists employers with legal compliance and risk management in all phases of the employment relationship, as well as defense of employers in matters pending before government agencies and courts. On a regular basis, Peg assists company executives, human resources professionals and supervisors with routine employment law concerns.

Jennifer L. Parent
Director, McLane Middleton
Jennifer is a director and chair of the firm’s Litigation Department. She has over 25 years of experience litigating and resolving disputes for companies and business owners in a wide range of complex commercial cases and employment matters. She has represented employers in the areas of employment discrimination, executive termination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful termination, contract, defamation, wages, trade secret, non-competition, and non-solicitation disputes.

Charla Bizios Stevens
Director, McLane Middleton
Charla has extensive background addressing litigated and non-litigated employment issues such as discrimination, harassment, employee classification and wage and hour claims. She assists employers in responding to labor audits, preparing personnel policies and minimizing risk in the hiring, discipline and termination of employees. She conducts management and anti-harassment training and works with employers to maintain legal compliance in a cost-efficient and effective way.

Laura McKelligott Kahl
Associate, McLane Middleton
Laura counsels employers on managing and minimizing risk in employee matters such as hiring, discipline and termination of employees, wage and hour issues, classification of employees and independent contractors, claims of discrimination and harassment, and restrictive covenants. She works with employers to maintain compliance with state and federal employment laws, and assists employers with workplace policies and procedures.

Independent School Legal Update
2021-10-28 08:30 - 12:30 | NH
On October 28, 2021, McLane Middleton’s Education Law Group will provide a free, virtual legal update for independent schools. As part of the half day session, attendees will receive practical strategies for managing risk from experienced practitioners who advise numerous independent schools on a daily basis.
This program is recommended for Heads of School, Senior Leadership, Business Officers, Deans of Students, and Deans of Faculty.
Program
Webinar – 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET
Cost
This event is being offered as a free education session.
Location
Webinar

Session Descriptions
Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policies Before and After Title IX
Independent schools used to think that Title IX (the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination) did not apply to them…The pandemic and the PPP loans changed all of that. But with those loans now largely forgiven, what practices covering sexual harassment and misconduct from a brief period of Title IX compliance should remain in place? In this session, we will examine the various ways in which schools are addressing student and employee sexual misconduct then and now, including notice of complaints, investigations, and managing discipline.
Effective Approaches for Dealing with Hostile Parents
Dealing with hostile parents is nothing new for independent schools. And yet, such occurrences have become increasingly common in recent times, particularly as schools face new frontiers of the culture wars, including DEI, gender issues, and COVID-19 safety protocols. In this session, we will examine various approaches and strategies for dealing with difficult parents, including, but not limited to, what language to incorporate in foundational documents, how to establish and enforce ongoing expectations, and how to effectively transition out hostile families.
Crossing the Line: What Is Your School’s Philosophy Regarding Oversight of Off-Campus Conduct?
Does your school discipline students for conduct off-campus? Or on the weekends? Or over the summer? Should it? The recent Supreme Court of the United States decision in Mahanoy Area School District—though technically applicable only to public schools—has sparked debate within the independent school community regarding whether schools should be policing students’ off-campus activity. In this session, we will analyze the various approaches schools can take in confronting and handling student conduct beyond the bounds of a school’s campus, including whether such jurisdiction should be mandatory or discretionary.
Reporting Student Discipline: Evolving Expectations and How to Manage the Process
The reporting of serious student discipline to colleges and next schools can be a fraught situation for students, families, and independent schools. And now, increasingly, families are lawyering up to challenge any mention of discipline during an application process. Combined with the Common App’s decision to remove questions about discipline, how should independent schools tactfully handle communications about a student’s record of misconduct? In this session, we will review case studies and offer practical (and legal) advice for how to manage the application and discipline reporting process.
COVID-19 Update: How to Manage Vaccinations for the Winter
Despite being over eighteen months into the pandemic, many schools are still grappling with their role in managing student and employee safety, particularly with respect to the COVID-19 vaccine. This issue will continue to evolve as the vaccine becomes increasingly available for school-age children and as local and federal governments enact new legislation and guidance. In this session, we will cover the latest developments as well as practical steps for how schools can comply with student and employee vaccination requirements and guidance. We will also discuss requests for exemption or accommodation; updates to policies and health forms, and student, parent, and employee vaccine hesitancy.
Cybersecurity Threats and Preparedness
Cam Shilling will discuss the upcoming hands-on workshop that McLane Middleton’s Information Privacy and Security Group is providing for independent schools in November 2021 (date/time TBD). Cam and our group have worked with numerous schools throughout New England and around the country to increase their cybersecurity preparedness and avoid expensive and reputation-damaging breaches. The workshop will be for heads of school, CFOs, business officers, and IT directors, in order to help schools understand the risk assessment process, start preparing your school for it, and even begin to assess your school’s preparedness to withstand some of this most prevalent cybersecurity dangers.
Presenters

Linda S. Johnson
Director, McLane Middleton
Co-Chair of the firm’s Employment Law Group
Linda focuses her practice on understanding and serving the needs of K-12 independent schools. She serves as outside legal counsel and a consultant to many of the country’s top independent day and boarding schools. She advises her clients on all aspects of school operations including employment law, student discipline, contracts, fiduciary and tort law, leadership development, investigations, compliance audits, risk management, crisis response, and student safety. Linda consults with schools on both prevention and response to all types of educator misconduct and student on student sexual assaults.

David Wolowitz
Director, McLane Middleton
Co-Chair of the firm’s Employment Law Group
David advises independent schools nationwide and internationally on all aspects of risk prevention and crisis response, with a focus on promoting healthy relationships through the management and oversight of a healthy school culture. He is a pioneer in applying behavioral risk management concepts, including training on healthy teacher – student boundaries and the establishment of standards of conduct, to promote safe school cultures. He believes that risk management practices should reinforce, not interfere with, good teaching and an environment conducive to learning.

Susan E. Schorr
Of Counsel, McLane Middleton
Vice Chair of the firm’s Employment Law Group
Susan focuses her practice on education and employment, helping clients with general risk management, real-time problem solving, and crisis management. Grounded in thorough legal analysis, she offers practical advice and responsiveness. With a background as a social worker, public administrator, and a trustee of non-profit organizations herself, Susan approaches client challenges with an ability to integrate a variety of problem-solving frameworks, helping clients to arrive at practical solutions.

Brian B. Garrett
Of Counsel, McLane Middleton
Brian has extensive experience in a broad range of education, employment, and complex commercial litigation matters throughout the country, including in state and federal courts, in alternative resolution processes, and before various administrative agencies. Brian focuses his practice on understanding and serving the needs of independent day and boarding schools, colleges and universities, and early child care programs. Brian partners with many of the country’s leading independent schools to provide comprehensive advice on all aspects of school operations, including establishing new schools, student and parent issues, employment matters, school governance and leadership, and general risk management. He works closely with board chairs, heads of schools, financial officers, and other senior leadership members in tackling complex matters affecting school communities.

Cameron G. Shilling
Director, McLane Middleton
Combining his business, technology and employment interests, Cameron has developed a depth and breadth of experience in privacy and data security. His résumé includes managing numerous data security audits, preparing and implementing written security policies, training executives, managers, and employees in data security, auditing, preparing and implementing data security agreements with vendors and business associates, addressing a wide variety of day-to-day security issues, and investigating and remediating many security breaches. Cameron has dealt with these issues under a range of state and federal laws, including the Gramm-Leach-Blilely Act (GLB), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), the Massachusetts and California data security regulations, and a number of other state data security and breach notification laws.
