Deborah I. Ecker

Negotiated numerous settlements favorable to clients at mediation. Successfully defended municipalities against claims brought pursuant to the Massachusetts whistleblower statute, G. L. c. 149, 185. Successfully defended a municipality against a challenge brought by an employee following the municipalitys search of its email system. Successfully defended a School Department at trial against claims of sexual harassment brought by a special education teacher against the School Resource Officer. Successfully defended a School Department on appeal against claims of student on student sexual harassment. Conducted workplace investigations into allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination. Represented parties in the defense of general liability matters, including damage to commercial property that involved review of leases and applicable insurance policies as well as matters arising from construction projects. Successfully defended a bank client against a former employees claims for age and gender discrimination, prevailing on a motion for summary judgment. Successfully represented a financial institution at arbitrations pending before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority against claims brought by former employees for defamation and wrongful termination. Successfully represented large national companies in multi-state employment law litigation against claims of discrimination under state and federal laws as well as claims for retaliation, defamation, wrongful termination and the violation of the Family Medical Leave Act. Extensive experience representing clients at deposition, mediation and arbitration