Bill Benoit, a partner in the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice, has represented management in all types of labor and employee relations disputes since 1975. He has extensive employment litigation and alternative dispute resolution experience. Mr. Benoit has successfully defended companies across a broad spectrum of industries in suits involving a wide variety of wrongful discharge and employment discrimination issues, including whistleblowing, disparate treatment, sexual and racial harassment, equal pay, reasonable accommodation of disabilities and age discrimination claims arising out of reductions in force.

Mr. Benoit also has substantial experience in handling traditional labor law matters involving collective bargaining, arbitration, unfair labor practice cases before the National Labor Relations Board and court injunctions to restrain unlawful picketing activity. He counsels employers on a daily basis regarding issues such as policy development, disciplinary action, workplace privacy, obligations under the Family & Medical Leave Act, workplace safety, affirmative action obligations and wage/hour questions.

Professional Activities

Mr. Benoit is a member of the Labor & Employment Law Sections of the Massachusetts and American Bar Associations. He has been selected for inclusion in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business and The Best Lawyers in America.

Publications/Presentations

Mr. Benoit’s most numerous published articles include “Enforcement of Non-Competition Agreements: Developments in Massachusetts ” – co-authored with Jennifer Merrigan Fay – which appeared in the Autumn 2004 edition of Employee Relations Law Journal.

Mr. Benoit also wrote “New Law Requires Employers to Give Disciplined Employees Summaries of Third-Party Investigative Reports Regarding Workplace Misconduct” – co-authored with Christopher Kaczmarek – which appeared in the November 2004 edition of The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel, and “Retaliation Claims” – co-authored with James Nagle – which appeared in the Winter 2003 edition of Employee Relations Law Journal.

Mr. Benoit is a frequent speaker on labor and employment issues. He has presented several employee relations training programs to clients’ managers, executives and human resources professionals. In addition, Mr. Benoit was Associate Editor of the Michigan Law Review.

Bar and Court Admissions

Mr. Benoit is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, and before the United States District Court of Massachusetts, the U.S. District Court of Vermont, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Education

J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1973 (cum laude)
B.A., University of Notre Dame, 1970 (cum laude)