Choate successfully defended this national tax accounting firm in a lawsuit bought by two former managing directors.  The plaintiffs alleged that they had been improperly forced out of the firm and were owed substantial amounts under their managing director agreements and the Massachusetts wage payment statute, entitling them to treble damages and attorneys fees.  Choate obtained a highly favorable settlement at the conclusion of discovery in the case. 

Choate successfully represented Anacomp, Inc. in a claim brought by a former senior executive who alleged that he was owed millions of dollars in unpaid compensation subject to the Massachusetts Wage Payment Act.  The plaintiff attempted to pursue his claims in Massachusetts state court, notwithstanding an arbitration provision in his employment agreement.  In a case of first impression, Choate successfully removed the case to federal court and then obtained an order compelling arbitration of the plaintiff’s claims. 

Choate represented this international household appliances company, headquartered in the United Kingdom, in an action against a former senior designer who left to join a competitor based in Massachusetts.  The defendant had previously been seconded to Singapore, presenting issues of international law and jurisdiction.  Following expedited discovery and a hearing, Choate obtained a highly favorable settlement for our client. 

Choate represented a large national company that the Department of Labor had targeted for an audit of the classification of its employees.  The DOL reviewed the company’s records and audited its practices relating to more than 100 employees for more than a year.  After Choate met with the DOL to defend the company’s classifications and payroll practices, the DOL elected not to pursue any charges against the company.

Choate represented U.S. Foodservice, a large nationwide food distributor, in a disability discrimination case in Massachusetts state court.  While the employee, who had suffered a shoulder injury, argued that he was subsequently terminated in violation of the disability laws, Choate was able to persuade a superior court judge to dismiss the case at the summary judgment stage, on the grounds that he did not have a qualified disability that entitled him to disability law protections.