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Practice Focus
Jim practices in the areas of labor, employment and employment-based immigration law with an emphasis on assisting employers in effectively avoiding, or defending against, employment disputes. He represents management in organizations ranging from multi-national corporations, to closely-held, family-owned businesses, to not-for-profit entities and public sector employers. Since joining the Firm in 1989, Jim has expanded an already well-established employment law practice group. This group is now recognized as one of the best in the state.
He has extensive experience handling matters before the New Hampshire Department of Labor, the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Jim regularly writes articles and presents seminars on a wide range of employment law topics. He is frequently asked by the media, business groups and human resources associations to comment on breaking news and recent developments in labor and employment law. He is the co-founder and moderator of NHLABORNET, the popular Internet discussion group for human resource professionals in New Hampshire. Jim is also the creator and serves as the managing editor of Good Company, Sheehan Phinney’s quarterly e-newsletter, which features articles on legal developments and best practices in business.Sample Matters
Assisted an out-of-state employer with the abatement of substantial civil penalties assessed by the New Hampshire Department of Labor.
Helped restructure a company’s employee handbook, executive contracts and commission sales agreements.
Successfully defended a manufacturing client on an age discrimination claim.
Education
B.A., Assumption College
M.P.A., Northeastern University
J.D., cum laude, New England School of Law
Honors
As the recipient of the New Hampshire Business and Industry Association’s 2001 Above and Beyond Award, and the 2005 Roland Roberge Corporate Citizen of the Year Jim was recognized for his work on behalf of employers in the State. In May 2006, the Granite State Human Resources Conference named him 2006 HR Hero for his many contributions to the field of human resources in the State. Jim is listed in Chambers USA as one of the top-tier employment lawyers in the state of New Hampshire. He also was elected by his peers as one of the top labor and employment lawyers in the State in a poll conducted by the New Hampshire Bar Association and published in New Hampshire Magazine. He was also selected again this year for the 2008 editions of Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals, Best Lawyers in America and New England Super Lawyers.
Memberships and Admissions
Jim is admitted to practice in before all state and federal courts and administrative agencies in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He is also admitted to practice before the First Circuit Court of Appeals. Jim is a member of the Labor and Employment Law sections of Lex Mundi, an international association of law firms; and of the American, the New Hampshire and the Massachusetts Bar Associations. He is also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Community Involvement
Jim has been a featured speaker and emcee at the annual Granite State Human Resources conferences. He chairs the New Hampshire High Tech Council’s Human Resources Exchange, serves on the Board of the Manchester Area Human Resources Association as the Board’s Vice President of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, and is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management. Jim is a graduate of 2006 Class of Leadership New Hampshire. | 