The Law Office of Pamela A. Smith provides all clients with prompt, outstanding legal representation, at reasonable fees. Attorney Smith has more than 20 years experience providing quality, common sense legal advice to employees, employers, individuals, corporations, and small businesses. During her career, she has served as Employment and Litigation Counsel for two Fortune 500 companies and a major university, and was an Assistant United States Attorney. This background makes Attorney Smith uniquely qualified to represent both employers and employees. She is an effective advocate for employers because she understands the complex issues that businesses need to consider in every personnel decision and contract negotiation. Attorney Smith also excels at representing individual employees because she knows what drives an employer to settle employment disputes.  Ms. Smith specializes in Employment Law which includes employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, Family Medical Leave Act, wage and commission claims, retaliation, Sarbanes-Oxley, sexual harassment, and expectations of privacy in the workplace. Counseling services include: (1) reviewing non-competition agreements; (2) drafting or reviewing employment contracts as well as severance packages; (3) developing Employment Handbooks and Codes of Business Conduct; ( 4) advising you of the strengths and weaknesses of a potential claim and the possible monetary damages; (5) coaching you through a difficult employment relationship; (6) providing advice about the law and its influence on personnel decisions; (7) conducting investigations to protect company assets and reputational interests; and (8) advising clients about how to avoid litigation. Attorney Smith led a task force to bring an employer into compliance with HIPAA, including the development and presentation of HIPAA training for more than 300 employees.  Ms. Smith's expertise includes Contracts and Business Disputes. This expertise allows her to provide sound legal advice to help companies and individuals negotiate contracts that protect their rights. In the event you need to retain an attorney to develop best business practices, enforce a contract, or defend you in a contract dispute, Attorney Smith has proven success in this area. For example, Attorney Smith negotiated the recovery of $2 million in back royalties for a client in a licensing dispute. Ms. Smith has extensive trial experience before a wide variety of courts, agencies, and arbitration bodies, including: (1) state and federal courts in Massachusetts, Maine, Ohio and Virginia; (2) state and federal agencies like the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board; and (3) the American Arbitration Association. Ms. Smith handles cases of varying complexity, and has a network of experienced attorneys to call upon for support when necessary.