Natalie counsels clients and litigates employment disputes on a wide variety of employment and labor matters before state and federal courts and administrative agencies. Her litigation practice includes disputes related to non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, claims related to discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and retaliation, and alleged violations of wage and hour compliance. Natalie leads workplace investigations and conducts employee trainings on a regular basis. She also advises clients on employment and labor issues, including employment and separation agreements, terminations and reductions in force, internal workplace investigations, workplace health and safety, independent contractor and employee classifications, employee handbooks, and leaves of absence, including family and medical leaves.
At Mintz, Natalie is a member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee (a cross-sectional group of attorneys who select pro bono projects and provide support for long-term initiatives). Outside the firm, Natalie is a member of the board of trustees of the Phoenix Charter Academy Network, an organization that offers academic support for underserved students, and a member of the Women’s Health Advisory Board at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Natalie has received numerous professional honors for her work as a lawyer and as a member of Boston’s legal community.
Client Insights
"I have worked with Natalie Groot for a number of years, both in my current organization and in prior in-house roles. I have taken the relationship forward as I’ve made various corporate counsel transitions over the years because Natalie is a value-add advisor who really 'gets it.' She makes every client her top priority and digs in to learn and offer strategic, practical counsel. Natalie takes the time to deeply understand our business, challenges, and risks; she has consistently supported us as we navigate an array of legal and regulatory issues while advancing our business objectives. In particular, Natalie has advised us on how to effectively manage a number of employee relations matters, the implementation of internal policies and procedures, certain workplace conduct investigations, and more." — Chief Legal Officer
"Natalie Groot has worked with my team for a number of years. Natalie's deep understanding of our business, culture, and values is apparent, and the guidance she has provided me and our teams over the years has been tremendously valuable. As a result, we're always eager to get her eyes and ears on any sensitive or complex issue we're facing. From advising on complex employee relations matters, business reorganizations, relocations, and various enforcement actions we have faced over the years (from a defensive perspective) to helping us develop and provide much-needed training, improvements to company policies, and revised practices to comply with changes to applicable regulations (from a preventive perspective), Natalie always takes a practical approach and leverages the deep relationships she has forged over the years to help us realize great outcomes and make everyone feel very well-advised and set up for success along the way." — Senior Vice President and General Counsel
viewpoints
The State of Pay Transparency in 2025
February 5, 2025 | Blog | By Natalie C. Groot, Talia Weseley, Danielle Dillon
Pay transparency laws have taken the country by storm over the last few years, and 5 additional states (Illinois, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont) have debuted or will debut their own versions in 2025. These laws aim to close discriminatory-based pay gaps. This shared goal, however, is one of the only similarities in the now-15 state-specific laws promoting pay transparency. Among other differences, there are myriad differences among the laws’ employee coverage thresholds, job posting requirements, and remedies, meaning employers must remain hyper-aware of any compliance obligations – some of which may be triggered by merely advertising a remote position that could feasibly be performed in states where the employer does not otherwise have a physical presence.
DOL Issues Opinion Letter Clarifying Intersection of FMLA and State or Local Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits
February 3, 2025 | Blog | By Emma Follansbee, Natalie C. Groot
Shortly before the Trump Administration started, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued an opinion letter clarifying the “substitution” provision under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) when it intersects with a state or local paid family and medical leave program.
Deadline Approaching for Massachusetts Pay Data Reporting
January 15, 2025 | Blog | By Natalie C. Groot, Delaney Busch
In July 2024, Massachusetts passed into law An Act Relative to Salary Range Transparency (the “Act”). We previously wrote about this Act in its legislation phase here and provided answers to frequently asked questions here.
Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave: “Topping Off” Benefits is Determined by Employer Policy
September 18, 2024 | Blog | By Natalie C. Groot, Kathryn Droumbakis
Effective November 1, 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (the “Department”) required employers to permit an employee, in the employee’s sole discretion, to supplement or “top off” their Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (“MA PFML”) benefit with any accrued paid leave (e.g., vacation, sick time, or other available paid time off) (together, “PTO”) so the employee could receive 100% of their regular wages during the MA PFML leave. This required employers whose Private Plans under MA PFML did not permit “topping off” to revise their plans accordingly. We wrote about it here.
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.
Employer FAQ: Massachusetts’s New Pay Transparency And Pay Data Reporting Requirements
August 7, 2024 | Blog | By Natalie C. Groot, Delaney Busch
Massachusetts has passed into law An Act Relative to Salary Range Transparency (the “Act”), which means that pay transparency and pay data reporting requirements will soon become official. In advance of the effective dates in 2025, covered businesses must understand and prepare for new compliance obligations.
We previously wrote about this Act in its legislation phase here. In addition, information regarding other jurisdictions requiring wage transparency, such as California, New York, and Washington, are available in our previous articles here and here.
Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Updates – What Employers Need to Know
October 19, 2023 | Blog | By Natalie C. Groot, Emma Follansbee, Kathryn Droumbakis
Expanding Existing Bereavement Leave Policies to Account for Fertility Related Losses
September 11, 2023 | Blog | By Natalie C. Groot, Danielle Dillon
Finally, Judicial Guidance Interpreting the Massachusetts Noncompetition Agreement Act
February 7, 2023 | Blog | By Geri Haight, Natalie C. Groot, Danielle Dillon
News & Press
The State of Pay Transparency
April 1, 2025|
Mintz Announces Record Member Growth in 2023
December 22, 2023|
A Growing Benefits Trend: Time Off For Pregnancy Loss
April 6, 2023|
Trio of Mintz Attorneys Chosen for Boston’s Future Leaders Program
February 23, 2023|
Avoid Unpaid Administrative Leave During Investigations
March 10, 2022|
Mintz To Give Leave For Miscarriages, Failed Surrogacy
March 10, 2022|
Trump Wins Again: Debtor-Employers Allowed to Reject Expired CBAs
February 1, 2016|
podcasts
Mintz On Air: Practical Policies — Empathy Meets Employment: Practical Strategies for Managing Employee Stress
May 5, 2026 | Podcast | By Jennifer Rubin, Natalie C. Groot, Nicole Rivers
Empathy meets accountability in this Mintz On Air podcast on managing stressed employees, escalation‑first complaints, and HR‑smart leadership.
Mintz On Air: Practical Policies – Disparage Me Not
August 26, 2025 | Podcast | By Jennifer Rubin, Natalie C. Groot
Host Jen Rubin is joined by Member Natalie Groot for a practical conversation on non-disparagement clauses. This episode is part of a series of conversations designed to help employers navigate workplace changes and understand general legal considerations.
Mintz on Air: Predictions and Practical Policies - Employee Handbooks: Do You or Don't You?
January 27, 2025 | Podcast | By Jennifer Rubin, Natalie C. Groot
ESG Co-chair Jen Rubin hosts a conversation on the challenges and best practices surrounding employee handbooks. This episode is part of a series of conversations designed to help employers navigate workplace changes under the upcoming Trump administration.
Events & Speaking
Mintz’s Annual Employment Law Summit 2025 - Boston
One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111
Action Required: Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (MAPFML)
View the Webinar Recording
Recognition & Awards
Chambers USA: Massachusetts – Labor & Employment, Up and Coming (2025 – 2026)
Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch – Labor and Employment Law: Management; Litigation: Labor and Employment (2024 – 2026)
Lawdragon: Employment Litigation (2026)
Doyle's Guide: Leading Employment Lawyers, Boston (2026)
Legal 500 United States: Workplace and Employment Counseling (2024 – 2025)
Super Lawyers: Massachusetts Rising Stars (2022 – 2025)
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly: Up and Coming Lawyer (2024)
Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards: North America – Diversity & Inclusion: Future Leader – Shortlist (2022)
Involvement
- Member, Mintz Pro Bono Committee
- Member, Board of Trustees, Phoenix Charter Academy Network
- Advisory Board Member, Mary Horrigan Connors Center for Women’s Health and Gender Biology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

