Trusted Employment Attorneys in Boston, MA

Serving Boston’s Financial District, Back Bay, Seaport, Cambridge & Greater Boston

Something happened at work… and right now you’re in Boston trying to figure out your next move. Maybe you were pushed out after raising a complaint. Maybe your employer slid a severance agreement across the table with a 21-day clock running. Maybe you’re a Financial District executive with a non-compete blocking your next opportunity, or a Cambridge biotech professional whose company is claiming ownership of your research. Boston’s employers in the Seaport, Back Bay, Kendall Square, and the Financial District have experienced legal teams protecting their interests. Whitney Law Group’s Boston employment attorneys work out of 201 Washington Street, are available for free consultations, and know exactly how the other side thinks. Call before you sign anything.

Why Boston Professionals Choose Whitney Law Group?

Defense-side depth, individual-side advocacy: Mark Whitney spent more than 30 years representing major employers, insurance companies, and executives at two AmLaw 100 firms and as senior equity partner at Morgan, Brown & Joy, one of the oldest management-side employment boutiques in Boston. He founded WLG to apply that insider knowledge on behalf of individuals and companies. Clients get the analytical framework of a management-side attorney working for them, not against them.

Boston market expertise: Boston’s major employers in financial services, biotech, technology, and professional services are sophisticated, and their employment counsel is experienced. Whitney Law Group’s deep familiarity with how Boston’s largest employers and their outside counsel build cases, evaluate exposure, and decide when to settle gives every client an insider’s view of the other side.

Recognition

AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell
2025 Massachusetts Super Lawyer
Boston Magazine Top Lawyer in Employment Law

Client Reviews

"An attorney friend referred me to Whitney Law Group saying it was the only employment law firm he recommends. From the beginning, my experience was very positive, and a favorable outcome was reached in a relatively brief timeframe. Kyle primarily handled my dispute, and I commend him for his detailed communication skills, diligence and humane approach. He was always available, even after hours and on weekends to answer questions and provide well-considered advice which gave me peace of mind during the process. I highly recommend WLG to anyone in need of excellent counsel for employment matters."

Susan Gabriel

Executive Advocacy Client

"Mark Whitney served as primary employment law services provider at two financial institutions where I was CEO. Not only did he demonstrate proficiency in the law but also broad courtroom experience and depth in informal settlement situations. These skills translated into efficient, cost effective solutions for my institutions. If it became necessary to brief the board Chair or a board committee, Mark’s approachable communication style facilitated their ability to absorb the legal matters at hand and appreciate the range of probable outcomes of our cases. That same communication proficiency made Mark the perfect choice for executive management and board training situations. Mark has convinced me during recent years that he is hiring for and conveying to his staff these same professional characteristics. If you decide to retain the Whitney Law Group, you will be doing your firm a good service."

Ed Lopes

Community Bank CEO

"KNOWLEDGEABLE AND AGGRESSIVE -- As General Counsel for a company with nearly 1000 employees, we do occasionally need the help of a very experienced employment lawyer. Mark has counseled us numerous times on many issues, including new hires where we are dealing with non-competes from prior companies, difficult employees, hearings before the MCAD and much more. He is a consummate professional, easy to work with, and provides sound advice. I highly recommend him."

Michael Kraft

General Counsel

Boston Employment Law Practice Areas

Whitney Law Group handles the following practice areas for Boston-area clients. Each links to a dedicated page with full detail on services, process, FAQs, and local context.

Non-Compete Agreements

Mark Whitney led the non-compete and restrictive covenant practice at one of Boston’s largest management-side employment firms before founding Whitney Law Group, which means he has spent 30+ years drafting, enforcing, and defeating the exact agreements your employer may be relying on. Whitney Law Group represents both employees challenging non-competes and employers seeking to enforce them. If you’ve received a cease-and-desist, are about to sign a new non-compete, or need a current agreement reviewed before making a career move, schedule a consultation. Non-compete disputes move fast. Courts issue emergency injunctions within days of a filing.

Read more about Non-Compete Attorneys Boston, MA

Severance Agreements

Whitney Law Group reviews and negotiates severance agreements for Boston employees and executives. A severance agreement is a permanent release of your legal rights in exchange for money, and the agreement was drafted by your employer’s counsel to protect the company, not you. Boston professionals, including executives in financial services, biotech, and technology, and employees across the Seaport, Back Bay, and Kendall Square, consistently receive first offers that can be improved. Whitney Law Group negotiates improved terms in the majority of cases: more pay, equity acceleration, narrowed non-compete provisions, better COBRA and reference terms. Schedule a free consultation before the 21-day clock runs out.

Read more about Severance Agreement Attorneys Boston, MA

Executive Employment

Executive Employment • Executive Compensation • Employee Equity Compensation • Executive Advocacy

Boston has one of the largest concentrations of senior executives in the country: C-suite and VP-level professionals in financial services and investment management, biotech and life sciences leadership in Kendall Square and the Seaport, and technology executives across Cambridge and Greater Boston. Whitney Law Group provides strategic counsel for executives at every stage, offers and equity review on the way into a new role, compensation and non-compete advice during tenure, and separation negotiations on the way out. Mark Whitney’s 30+ years on the management side of these disputes, advising the companies that executives answer to, gives every executive client an insider’s view of how the other side evaluates risk and structures its position.

Read more about Executive Employment Attorneys Boston, MA

Trade Secrets

Trade secret disputes are common across Boston’s biotech, fintech, life sciences, and technology sectors. When a key employee at a Kendall Square or Seaport company leaves with proprietary research data, customer relationships, or software, the employer needs to move immediately. When an employee is accused of misappropriation, every communication matters before counsel is retained. Mark Whitney led a dedicated trade secret and unfair competition practice at a major Boston firm for decades and has deep experience in emergency TRO proceedings, computer forensic coordination, and Defend Trade Secrets Act matters in both Massachusetts state and federal courts. Both employers and individuals are represented.

Read more about Trade Secrets Attorneys Boston, MA

Wrongful Termination

Senior executives in Boston face a distinct set of legal issues that general employment counsel often mishandles: complex equity structures, change-of-control provisions, for-cause termination definitions, deferred compensation (409A), and the board-level dynamics that shape how disputes actually resolve. Whitney Law Group provides strategic counsel for C-suite, VP-level, and managing director clients across Boston’s financial services, biotech, technology, and professional services sectors. Mark Whitney’s 30+ years on the management side of these disputes, advising the companies executives answer to, gives every executive client an insider’s view of how the other side evaluates risk and structures its position.

Read more about Boston Wrongful Termination Attorneys

Employment Discrimination

Massachusetts Chapter 151B is one of the broadest anti-discrimination statutes in the country, covering age, disability, gender, race, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, and military status. Boston employees are also protected by Title VII, the ADA, and the ADEA. Whitney Law Group handles discrimination claims at the MCAD, the EEOC, in Suffolk Superior Court, and in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Mark Whitney’s defense-side background means he evaluates every claim with full knowledge of how employers and their counsel will respond – giving clients a realistic picture of their position before any decision is made. MCAD filing deadline: 300 days from the discriminatory act.

Read more about Employment Discrimination Attorneys in Boston, MA

Employment Contracts

Employment Agreements • Nondisclosure Agreements • Non-Solicitation Agreements

Whitney Law Group reviews and negotiates the full range of employment-related contracts for Boston professionals: offer letters, employment agreements, NDAs, non-solicitation agreements, IP assignment provisions, equity grant documents, and consulting agreements. Contract reviews are typically completed within 24 to 48 hours. A particular focus for Boston and Greater Boston clients: the interaction between non-compete, non-solicit, and NDA provisions, and how the Massachusetts Non-Compete Reform Act of 2018 affects agreements signed both at the start of employment and at separation. The person who drafted your agreement was protecting the employer. Your review should protect you.

Read more about Boston Employment Contracts.

Employment Law for Boston Companies

Whitney Law Group also represents employers in Boston and throughout Greater Boston. Mark Whitney’s 30+ years of management-side experience translate directly to employer counsel: he has defended companies at the MCAD, EEOC, and in state and federal court, designed and implemented non-compete and restrictive covenant programs, drafted the full range of employment-related contracts, and provided compliance advice to companies without in-house HR functions.

Boston employers from Financial District investment firms and Seaport technology companies to Cambridge biotech and small professional services businesses across Greater Boston face the same employment law obligations as large corporations, with varying resources to navigate them. Whitney Law Group serves as an accessible outside counsel resource for employers who need practical, cost-conscious guidance before a problem becomes a claim.

Employer services include:

Defense of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims at the MCAD, EEOC, and in court
Non-compete and restrictive covenant program design and enforcement for Boston employers
Employment contract drafting and negotiation, such as, offer letters, employment agreements, severance, NDAs, and non-solicitation agreements
Day-to-day HR compliance advice for companies without in-house employment counsel
Workplace harassment and discrimination training; Mark is MCAD-certified as a trainer
Independent workplace investigations
Trade secret protection and misappropriation claims
Civil and business litigation beyond employment matters

For full details on employer-side services, see the Employment Law for Companies page.

Boston Office Location

Whitney Law Group, LLC One Boston Place, Suite 2600 201 Washington Street Boston, MA 02108

By appointment only.

Convenient to: MBTA lines, Downtown Crossing, Government Center, and all local, state, and federal courthouses.

Virtual consultations available statewide.

Frequently Asked Questions - Boston MA Employment Law

Q: My employer is headquartered outside Massachusetts but I work in Boston. Which law applies?

Massachusetts law applies to work performed in Massachusetts, regardless of where your employer is incorporated or based. That matters enormously. Massachusetts has some of the strongest employee protections in the country, including Chapter 151B’s broad anti-discrimination provisions, the Massachusetts Wage Act, and the 2018 Non-Compete Reform Act. If your contract has a choice-of-law clause designating another state, that may affect certain contract claims, but Massachusetts statutory protections generally cannot be waived. Whitney Law Group handles multi-state employment situations regularly and will quickly identify which framework gives you the strongest position.

Q: I signed a non-compete when I was hired by a Boston employer. Now I want to leave for a competitor. What are my options?

More than most people realize. Massachusetts’ 2018 Non-Compete Reform Act significantly changed the rules for agreements signed on or after October 1, 2018. Employers must provide the agreement at least 10 business days before employment begins (or before signing); it must be supported by garden leave pay of at least 50% of your highest annualized base salary or other mutually agreed consideration; and it must be no broader than necessary in scope, geography, and duration. If your agreement doesn’t meet these requirements, it may be unenforceable. Even a compliant agreement can often be narrowed or bought out through negotiation. Whitney Law Group reviews non-compete agreements for Boston professionals and negotiates with employers before clients make any career moves.

Q: How long does an employment law case take in Massachusetts, and what can I realistically recover?

It depends on the type of claim and the path taken. A severance negotiation often resolves in two to four weeks. A discrimination claim filed with the MCAD typically involves a six-month to two-year agency process before moving to court. Litigation in Suffolk Superior Court or federal court can extend two to three years. The majority of employment disputes are resolved through negotiated settlements before any trial. What you can recover depends on the claim: under the Massachusetts Wage Act, successfully pursuing unpaid wages entitles you to treble damages plus attorneys’ fees, making even smaller claims economically viable. Under Chapter 151B, available damages include back pay, front pay, emotional distress, attorneys’ fees, and in some cases punitive damages. Whitney Law Group gives every client a realistic assessment of value and timeline at the initial consultation.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

Don’t navigate workplace disputes alone. Contact Whitney Law Group’s Boston employment lawyers for a confidential consultation about your rights, options, and next steps.

Taking action now protects your legal claims and gives you control over your career.