Charla is chair of the firm's Employment Law Practice Group and practices in the Education and Health Care Practice Groups. She has extensive background addressing litigated and non-litigated employment issues such as discrimination, harassment, employee classification and wage and hour claims. She assists employers in responding to labor audits, preparing personnel policies and minimizing risk in the hiring, discipline and termination of employees. She conducts management and anti-harassment training and works with employers to maintain legal compliance in a cost-efficient and effective way.
Charla has served as the lead external investigator on a number of significant matters for private employers, independent schools and colleges and universities. She also trains individuals on how to conduct effective internal investigations into issues ranging from workplace complaints to education on sexual misconduct.
Charla regularly advises independent schools regarding crisis and risk management. She writes handbooks and policies related to student and adult issues ranging from bullying, hazing, harassment and discrimination and conducts student safety reviews for independent schools. Charla frequently presents to human resources and education organizations such as National Business Officers Association (NBOA) and Independent School Association of Northern New England.
She also has a diverse health care practice representing physician practice groups, health centers, mental health practitioners and ancillary providers regarding compliance, licensing, discipline and other issues. Charla serves as Vice Chair Human Resources, Health Care, and Workforce Development Committee for the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire (BIA).
Her litigation background includes practice in the state and federal courts and before numerous state and federal administrative agencies such as the State and Federal Departments of Labor, the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Charla received her J.D., cum laude, from Boston College Law School and her B.A., cum laude, from Merrimack College.
Recognition
•Best Lawyers in America 2020 ( Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment)
•AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
•Chambers USA: A Guide to America's Leading Lawyers (Labor and Employment)
•New England Super Lawyers
•Jack B. Middleton Pro Bono Legal Services Award, 2008
•Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire, Above and Beyond Award, 2012
•Granite State HR Conference, HR Hero, 2015
Media
Interviews:
•New Federal Rule On Overtime Pay (WMUR, 5/29/2016)
•General Employment Law (WGIR - NH Today, 4/29/2016)
Webinar Replay:
•Trending Topics for Restaurant Owners (Commonwealth Payroll & HR webinar, 6/10/2019)
Articles & Presentations
•Know the Law: Guidelines for Reopening Your Business
•Are You Prepared for the Coronavirus?
•Independent Schools' Top Ten Pay Practice Mistakes (presentation at NBOA's 2020 Annual Conference, 2/24/2020)
•New Year’s Resolutions for Employers
•Know the Law: Notification of a Wage and Hour Audit
