Emma counsels clients on a wide variety of employment issues and litigates employment disputes before state and federal courts and administrative agencies. Her litigation practice includes restrictive covenant agreements; discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation claims; and wage and hour compliance.
Emma regularly advises clients on compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including changes in Massachusetts non-compete laws and leave entitlements. Her practice also encompasses assisting clients with terminations and reductions in force, WARN notifications, workplace investigations, employee classifications, and employee handbooks and policies. She is a regular contributor to the employment group’s blog, covering topics such as the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act and Parental Leave compliance.
Emma has been engaged in a number of the firm’s pro bono initiatives, including the asylum and immigration practice and the Domestic Violence Project.
viewpoints
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Clarifies Rules on Benefit Accrual During PFML
September 18, 2024 | Blog | By Natalie C. Groot, Emma Follansbee
On September 13, 2024, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (the “SJC”) ruled that the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (the “Act”) does not guarantee the accrual of benefits such as sick leave, vacation leave and length-of-service credit during a period of paid family or medical leave (“PFML”). Instead, the Act mandates only that employees return from leave to the same or equivalent position that they held at the commencement of leave.
Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Updates – What Employers Need to Know
October 19, 2023 | Blog | By Natalie C. Groot, Emma Follansbee, Kathryn Droumbakis
Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Update – Contribution Rate Will Decrease Effective January 1, 2023
September 29, 2022 | Blog | By Emma Follansbee, Patricia Moran
News of Recent Layoffs Prompts a Review of the WARN Act: What’s Changed Since 2020?
June 22, 2022 | Blog | By Emma Follansbee
For the first time since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are implementing a new wave of layoffs, particularly in the tech world, and it is anticipated that there are more to come as recession worries loom. Mintz attorney Emma Follansbee provides a brief refresher on how the WARN Act applies to plant closings and mass layoffs, and what, if anything has changed since 2020.
(Updated) A Comprehensive Breakdown of OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccination Rule
January 12, 2022 | Blog | By Michael Arnold, Jennifer Rubin, David Barmak, Corbin Carter, Evan Piercey, Danielle Bereznay, Danielle Dillon, Nicole Rivers, Paul Huston, Emma Follansbee
Conference Recordings: Mintz's Annual Employment Law Summit
March 12, 2021 | Webinar | By Michael Arnold, David Barmak, Micha Mitch Danzig, Geri Haight, Andrew Matzkin, David Lagasse, Jennifer Rubin, Alexander Hecht, Danielle Bereznay, Delaney Busch, Corbin Carter, Emma Follansbee, Natalie C. Groot, Paul Huston, Brendan Lowd, Nicole Rivers, Richard Block
Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Law – January 2021 Update for Employers
January 8, 2021 | Blog | By Natalie C. Groot, Patricia Moran, Emma Follansbee
REMINDER: Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Next Steps
October 23, 2020 | Blog | By Natalie C. Groot, Emma Follansbee, Patricia Moran
COVID-19 Telecommuting Tax and Leave Issues for Employers
October 20, 2020 | Blog | By Emma Follansbee, Michael Arnold
Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave Finalizes Revised Regulations: Here’s What You Need to Know
August 13, 2020 | Blog | By Patricia Moran, Natalie C. Groot, Emma Follansbee
News & Press
Mintz is pleased to announce that 31 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Super Lawyers and 35 attorneys have been named Massachusetts Rising Stars for 2024.
The Best Lawyers in America 2025 Recognizes 184 Mintz Attorneys across 56 Practice Areas
August 15, 2024
187 Mintz attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, three Mintz attorneys received 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 64 firm attorneys were included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
Mintz is pleased to announce that 120 firm attorneys have been recognized as leaders by Best Lawyers® in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
Employers Confront the Coronavirus
February 3, 2020
Coronavirus Forces Employers to Act with Caution in Workplace
January 30, 2020
Events & Speaking
WARN Act Compliance: Recent Federal Cases, Remote Work, State Law Requirements, Notice Exceptions, Defenses
Special Considerations for Small Employers
Webinar
Action Required: Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (MAPFML)
View the Webinar Recording
COVID-19 and the Workplace: Guidance Regarding Employment and Benefits Issues Facing Employers Now
View the Webinar Recording
Mastering Absence Management, "Compliance - Overview of Regulations"
New England Employee Benefits Council
Boston, MA
Recognition & Awards
Featured in Best Lawyers in America Ones to Watch, Labor and Employment Law - Employee; Labor and Employment Law - Management; Litigation - Labor and Employment (2024 - 2025)
Boston Magazine Top Lawyers – Employment (2021)
Massachusetts Super Lawyers: Rising Star - Employment & Labor (2024)