MARCH 1, 2010
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
William E. Hannum III was quoted in an article entitled 'Amendment Could Herald Additional Arbitration Reform' in the March 1, 2010 issue of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. The amendment prohibits defense contractors from forcing employees to arbitrate claims under Title VII, which bans employment discrimination based on race, color, gender or national origin. Though the law may only apply to contractors who receive payments from the 2010 defense appropriations bill, the fallout could be far broader. Will warns that given the potential for sweeping reforms in the future, employers may want to take a hard look at their present practices. 'If they have systems in place that rely on [arbitration clauses], they may want to think about where they are going in six, 12 or 18 months.'
Read the Article>

JANUARY 25, 2010
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
William E. Hannum III authored an article in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly entitled: 'The Wage And Hour Audit: State Law Traps.' In the article, Will lists some (but not all) of the state law traps that have recently cost both employers and senior officers damages awards into the millions of dollars and could cost other companies the same if not complied with. Will says that 'the odds are increasing that every company will be the target of some kind of wage and hour claim' and emphasizes the need and value of companies to conduct their own wage and hour audits.
Read the Article>

NOVEMBER 30, 2009
New England In-House
William E. Hannum III authored an article in New England In-House entitled: 'The Wage and Hour Audit: Do It Now, or Pay Later.' The U.S. Department of Labor has promised greater enforcement of pay practices, wage and hour claims are increasing, and recent settlements, fines and damages are costing companies millions of dollars. In this article, Will lays out the critical need for companies to complete wage and hour audits of their pay practices and explains the traps where employers can get caught, i.e. overtime, misclassification as exempt, misclassified as an independent contractor, and failure to pay overtime.
Read the Article>

NOVEMBER 16, 2009
Lawyers USA
William E. Hannum III was quoted in a Lawyers USA 'Special Feature' entitled '20 Things Lawyers Need to Know in 2010.' Tip 13 is entitled 'Hiring Tips – don't get sued.' In this section, Will suggests using a checklist of potential problem areas when hiring; having a detailed, accurate job description; and being sure to verify an applicant's legal eligibility to work.
Read the Article>

NOVEMBER 1, 2009
Sara Schwartz and Will Hannum Have Been Named Massachusetts Super Lawyers For the Sixth Year In a Row
We are pleased to announce that Sara Schwartz and Will Hannum have been selected as Massachusetts Super Lawyers in the area of Labor and Employment Law, for the sixth year in a row. These listings are published in the November 2009 issue of Boston magazine, in New England Super Lawyers, and in Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition. Super Lawyers selection process includes peer nominations, a blue ribbon panel review, and independent research of candidates. Only five percent of Massachusetts lawyers are chosen each year.