Sara Goldsmith Schwartz And William E. Hannum III Named To 2019 Super Lawyers® List; Sarah H. Fay, And Jacqueline M. Fogg Named To 2019 Rising Stars®
Schwartz Hannum PC is thrilled to announce that two attorneys have been named to the 2019 Massachusetts Super Lawyers® list, and two have been named to the 2019 Massachusetts Rising Stars® list.
Sara Goldsmith Schwartz and William E. Hannum III have been selected for inclusion in the 2019 Massachusetts Super Lawyers® list in the area of Employment & Labor Law. They were first acknowledged by Super Lawyers® in 2004.
Sarah H. Fay, and Jacqueline M. Fogg have been selected for inclusion in the 2019 Massachusetts Rising Stars® list. This is the first year Jacqueline has been named to the Rising Stars® list. Sarah was first acknowledged by Rising Stars® in 2017.
Schwartz Hannum PC is proud of its Super Lawyers® and congratulates each of them on this achievement. We also extend our congratulations and gratitude to the entire Schwartz Hannum PC team for their part in this achievement through their continued hard work and excellent client service!
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Schwartz Hannum PC Successfully Defends Independent School In Wi-Fi Litigation: First Circuit Issues Significant Decision On Enrollment Agreements And Student Handbooks
The Firm successfully defended an independent school against claims by a student that he was harmed by the School’s wireless internet network (“Wi-Fi”). The student and his parents sought accommodations that would have required the School to remove or disable its Wi-Fi. The School declined the student’s requests because there was no causal connection between the School’s Wi-Fi and the student’s alleged electromagnetic hypersensitivity. The student and his parents then filed a lawsuit in federal court, alleging claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act and common law claims.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
After extensive discovery and nine days of expert hearings on causation related to the alleged “Wi-Fi allergy,” the School moved to exclude Plaintiffs’ experts from testifying and moved for summary judgment on all claims.
In September 2017, the United States District Court excluded two of Plaintiffs’ experts and dismissed all of Plaintiffs’ claims except for the Title V retaliation claim. In June 2018, the Court granted the School’s motion for judgment on the pleadings and dismissed Plaintiffs’ retaliation claim, thereby dismissing the entire suit. The Court held that Plaintiffs’ retaliation claims were moot because the student had commenced ninth grade at another school and the School only extends to ninth grade. Plaintiffs then appealed.
THE FIRST CIRCUIT DECISION
The First Circuit appeal focused on a matter of first impression: whether damages are available under Title V of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the context of a public accommodation claim. The First Circuit found that only injunctive relief is available, and that damages are not available.
Significantly, the appeal also resolved the Plaintiffs’ common law claims for alleged breach of contract and misrepresentation based on the School’s Student Handbook. As the First Circuit explained, the enrollment contract (if properly drafted) is the sole contract between the family and the School. The Student Handbook (if properly drafted) does not create a contract between the family and the School.
In so finding, the First Circuit specifically noted that the enrollment agreement recited that the Student Handbook “does not constitute a contract,” and the First Circuit relied upon this enrollment agreement language in rendering its decision in favor of the School.
In sum, the Court recognized that the School’s enrollment agreement was drafted as an enforceable contract, while the Student Handbook was purely aspirational and not contractual. This is an excellent result for independent schools, and a reminder of the importance of having a well-drafted enrollment agreement and student handbook.
On July 17, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the judgment for the School on all counts, finding entirely for the School.
The First Circuit opinion is available here. A recent article about the legal significance of the First Circuit Decision, by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, is available here.
In February of 2019, Sara Goldsmith Schwartz argued this case at the First Circuit. The oral argument can be heard here.
Download the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly article
Download the First Circuit Opinion
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Schwartz Hannum PC Ranked In Chambers USA 2019; Sara Goldsmith Schwartz And William E. Hannum III Recognized As Leading Lawyers
Schwartz Hannum PC is thrilled to announce that Chambers USA has ranked Schwartz Hannum PC in Band 4 for the Labor & Employment – Massachusetts practice area. Schwartz Hannum PC is the only woman-owned law firm (and the only suburban-based firm) recognized by Chambers USA in the Labor & Employment – Massachusetts practice area.
One Chambers commentator said “the individuals’ expertise is a strength, but they combine that with a firmwide team approach to client service which is refreshing.” “This is the primary firm I use for labor advice,” reports another client. “My experience with the firm has been very positive. Billings are transparent and I am receiving high-quality legal advice at an acceptable fee.” “I think it is an exceptionally well-structured small law firm,” comments another source. “The team does a good job of handling our various teams. They’re able to make people feel comfortable and understand the object.”
Chambers USA has also recognized Sara Goldsmith Schwartz and William E. Hannum III as leading attorneys in labor and employment law in Massachusetts. This is the fourteenth consecutive year that Sara has been honored, and Will’s eighth year being acknowledged by Chambers.
Chambers USA 2019 reports that “Sara Goldsmith Schwartz’s prowess in the labor and employment space has earned her a loyal client base in the education sector, while she is also a prominent name in industries as diverse as retail, food and financial services. Sources say that she is ‘very well regarded’ in the Massachusetts market.”
“William Hannum is highlighted for his expertise in employment disputes, workplace investigations, labor relations matters and union avoidance, most notably with respect to the education sector. Sources affirm that he is ‘very responsive and very willing to work with in-house counsel.’”
The rankings, which are determined by a rigorous process that includes a detailed written submission by the Firm and in-depth, objective research and interviews, were published in the recent Chambers USA 2019 guide. Chambers and Partners publishes guides worldwide, and has been a recognized leader in its field since 1990.
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Schwartz Hannum PC Recognized As SHRM Recertification Provider
Schwartz Hannum PC is thrilled to announce that it has been recognized as a Recertification Provider by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). As a result of this certification, SHPC's webinars, seminars, and Boot Camps are eligible for Professional Development Credits (PDCs), as they relate to the SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge (SHRM BoCK™). SHRM Certified Professionals (SHRM-CP®) and SHRM Senior Certified Professionals (SHRM-SCP®) are eligible for PDCs.
SHRM certification is the only HR certification offered by the world's largest HR membership organization, and is applicable across industries, geographic borders, job responsibilities, and career levels. As the industry leader in HR professional development, SHRM has supported more than 100,000 employers representing 140 million employees worldwide.
About SHRM
The Society for Human Resource Management is the world's largest HR professional society, representing 300,000 members in more than 165 countries. For nearly seven decades, the Society has been the leading provider of resources serving the needs of HR professionals and advancing the practice of human resource management. SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China, India and the United Arab Emirates. For more information about SHRM, visit the organization's website at www.shrm.org.
