Rob Hale, a partner in the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice, represents employers across a broad spectrum of employment matters.

Work for Clients

Mr. Hale’s practice involves representation of clients in employment litigation, including noncompetition, discrimination, wrongful discharge, FLSA and ERISA litigation. He has obtained successful results for employers at all stages of litigation, including in preliminary injunction proceedings, at summary judgment, at trial and on appeal. Mr. Hale is experienced in successfully representing employers before administrative agencies and in labor arbitrations. His practice also includes counseling in numerous areas of labor and employment law, including disability discrimination, sexual harassment and other discrimination matters; noncompetition agreement and other restrictive covenants; downsizing; employment agreements; wage and hour compliance; collective bargaining; and personnel policy development and administration. In addition, Mr. Hale is experienced in providing training for managers, supervisors and human resources professionals.

Professional Activities

Mr. Hale serves on the Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee of the American Bar Association. He is a former chair of the ABA’s subcommittee on the Family and Medical Leave Act, the ABA’s subcommittee on the WARN Act and the Boston Bar Association’s Employee Benefits/ERISA Committee.

In 2007, Mr. Hale was elected to be a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. He was recognized by Super Lawyers magazine as a New England Super Lawyer, and was selected for inclusion in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business and The Best Lawyers in America.

Publications/Presentations

Mr. Hale has spoken at a number of seminars, including those presented by the American, Boston and Massachusetts Bar Associations and various professional and trade groups.

Mr. Hale is co-editor-in-chief of the comprehensive and leading treatise entitled The Family and Medical Leave Act, and a chapter editor of The Fair Labor Standards Act – both published jointly by the American Bar Association and the Bureau of National Affairs. In addition, Mr. Hale is the author of Union Affiliation: Examination of the Governing NLRA Standards, 1983 Det. C.L. Rev. 709.

Professional Experience

Prior to joining Goodwin Procter, Mr. Hale clerked for Justice Armstrong of the Massachusetts Appeals Court.

Bar and Court Admissions

Mr. Hale is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and the District of Columbia, and before the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts.

Education

J.D., Boston University, 1983 (magna cum laude)
B.S., Cornell University, 1980