New York State and New York City have passed new legislation in an effort to strengthen prohibitions against sexual harassment in the workplace. Last month, we reported on those new
Continue Reading UPDATE: New Anti-Sexual Harassment Compliance Mandates for New York State and New York City in Full Swing

Jack Gearan
Jack S. Gearan is a shareholder in the Boston office of Greenberg Traurig, LLP. He concentrates his practice in the areas of Labor & Employment and Litigation, where he defends companies and public institutions in labor and employment, business, and consumer actions, including class and collective actions. He is experienced in complex employment litigation and trials, and frequently handles state and federal whistleblower claims, non-compete and restrictive covenant litigation, trade secret, wage and hour litigation, and individual employee discrimination, harassment, and retaliation litigation and arbitrations. Jack also focuses his practice on handling pharmaceutical and medical device products liability cases.
Jack’s business litigation practice covers a variety of business torts, including misrepresentation, fraud, contract disputes, and claims under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93A – the Massachusetts unfair trade practices statute
In addition to defending clients in litigation when necessary, Jack provides counsel to senior management and human resource personnel on various employment law compliance matters, such as leaves of absence, exempt status classification under the FLSA and state law, employee discipline and restrictive covenant agreements. Jack is also regularly called upon by clients to conduct outside independent investigations of sensitive personnel issues or threatened legal actions. Additionally, Jack has advised companies regarding employment law in connection with various corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and reductions in force.
New Anti-Sexual Harassment Compliance Mandates for New York State and New York City in Full Swing
For New York employers who may not have closely monitored legal developments in the human resources and sexual harassment sphere over the summer, now is a good time to become…
Continue Reading New Anti-Sexual Harassment Compliance Mandates for New York State and New York City in Full Swing
SCOTUS Rules Dodd-Frank Does Not Protect Internal Whistleblowing
On Feb. 21, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the anti-retaliation provision of the Dodd-Frank Act (DFA) protects only employees who complain to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)…
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SCOTUS to Resolve Circuit Split Over Dodd-Frank Whistleblowers
On Monday, June 26, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review whether the Dodd-Frank Act (DFA) prohibits retaliation against internal whistleblowers or only covers individuals who report to the…
Continue Reading SCOTUS to Resolve Circuit Split Over Dodd-Frank Whistleblowers
Ninth Circuit Widens Circuit Split on Whether Dodd-Frank Protects Internal Whistleblowing
Introduction
On March 8, 2017, in Somers v. Digital Realty Trust Inc., No.15-cv-17352 (9th Cir., March 8, 2017), the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s denial…
Continue Reading Ninth Circuit Widens Circuit Split on Whether Dodd-Frank Protects Internal Whistleblowing
Sixth Circuit Joins Six Other Circuits in Ruling Exhaustion of Plan’s Administrative Procedures Not Required When Asserting Statutory Violations
On Tuesday, March 14, 2017, in Hitchcock v. Cumberland University, No. 3:15-cv-01215, 2017 WL 971790 (6th Cir. Mar. 14, 2017), the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals joined six other…
Continue Reading Sixth Circuit Joins Six Other Circuits in Ruling Exhaustion of Plan’s Administrative Procedures Not Required When Asserting Statutory Violations
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Widens Circuit Split as to Class Action Waivers in Employee Arbitration Agreements
In a decision likely to have significant ramifications for employers, a divided panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last week that employers cannot require employees to individually…
Continue Reading Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Widens Circuit Split as to Class Action Waivers in Employee Arbitration Agreements
SEC Scrutinizes Severance Agreements for Compliance With Dodd-Frank
Recent SEC Fines
On Aug. 16, 2016, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it had issued its second fine in as many weeks concerning a company’s use…
Continue Reading SEC Scrutinizes Severance Agreements for Compliance With Dodd-Frank
Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law Becomes Effective July 1, 2015
The Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, § 148C), approved by a statewide ballot question last fall, goes into effect July 1, 2015. As of July…
Continue Reading Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law Becomes Effective July 1, 2015
Massachusetts Voters Approve Ballot Question Mandating Paid Sick Time
On Nov. 4, 2014, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot question that entitles employees to earn up to 40 hours of sick time each year.
Employees who work for Massachusetts employers…
Continue Reading Massachusetts Voters Approve Ballot Question Mandating Paid Sick Time