Businesses, public entities, insurance companies, individuals, and even other attorneys turn to us for representation in employment law actions. Our Employment Practice Group at Higgins, Cavanagh & Cooney is experienced in defending employers in both federal and state courts as well as before the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.
- Hiring, discipline, and terminations
- Compensation and benefits
- Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation
- Civil rights claims
- Employment contracts
- Non-competes, trade secrets, and non-disclosure agreements
- Wage and hourOSHA
- Litigation
- Mediation
- Litigation avoidance
- Workplace policies
Our lawyers represent employers across a wide spectrum of industries in the defense of employment law claims.
These actions may even trigger multiple, related counts involving defamation, breach of contract, negligent supervision, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
We assist clients at every step in the employee-employer relationship and maintain an active employment law practice at the administrative levels and before all trial and appellate courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Our attorneys are committed to keeping our clients apprised of all developments immediately and throughout our representation.
Higgins, Cavanagh & Cooney has been defending civil actions in Rhode Island for decades. We are known and respected throughout the legal community.
Our attorneys offer a complete range of experience and expertise. In close consultation with our clients, we choose the level of experience which is appropriate for every case.
With our colleagues practicing in the area of workers compensation as well as in other practice groups, Higgins, Cavanagh & Cooney is uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive and cost-effective representation to our clients in all areas of the law governing today’s challenging workplace.
Representative cases:
– Defending a university against assertions by a former instructor of libel, breach of contract, negligent supervision, and intentional infliction of emotional distress arising out of his termination from employment. The case was dismissed on a defense verdict in the Rhode Island Superior Court, which was affirmed by the Rhode Island Supreme Court.
– Defending a R.I municipality, the town treasurer, the school superintendent, members of the school committee and others against assertions that the plaintiff’s failure to secure full-time employment as a teacher was punishment for her involvement in local politics and a violation of her constitutional and civil. Following a lengthy trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, judgment was entered for the defendants and affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
– Defending a large regional road building company against claims of racial discrimination in connection with hiring and retention practices filed with the MCAD.
– Defending a multi-state restaurant chain owner against FMLA claims in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island.
