Christine W. Johnston

Ms. Johnston concentrates her practice in the employment and labor area where she represents employers in a variety of labor and employment law matters. Ms. Johnston frequently represents management in employment disputes in state and federal courts, at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, in arbitration and mediation, and before other federal and state regulatory and investigative agencies. Ms. Johnston has significant experience representing employers in contract disputes, noncompetition and misappropriation of trade secret cases, discrimination, harassment and retaliation cases, wage and hour disputes, employee misconduct matters, and tort-based claims.

Ms. Johnston also advises and counsels employers regarding employee relations, employment practices and procedures and compliance with state and federal employment and labor laws and regulations. She regularly drafts and reviews employment policies and handbooks, counsels employers regarding terminations and reductions in force, conducts employment audits, and negotiates and drafts employment-related documents such as offer letters, employment agreements, incentive compensation plans, restrictive covenant agreements and separation agreements. Ms. Johnston also conducts training for companies regarding sexual harassment prevention, anti-discrimination, managing leaves of absence, performance counseling and hiring and firing issues.

Ms. Johnston has experience advising companies and litigating disputes related to data privacy breaches and compliance with data privacy regulations. She also advises companies on social media policies and related issues. Ms. Johnston also frequently collaborates with employee benefits specialists to address executive compensation and employee benefits matters. She regularly assists with due diligence, disclosures, employment and restrictive covenant agreements and other employment matters in business transactions.