Greg Vanden-Eykel

Greg Vanden-Eykel is a trial lawyer and risk manager trusted by clients across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  Regularly appearing before federal and state courts and state administrative bodies, Greg represents business owners, non-profit corporations, and schools across the entirety of the employment spectrum.  Greg’s employment litigation practice covers wage and hour disputes, leave requests and reasonable accommodations, discrimination and harassment claims, whistleblower claims, reductions in force, misclassification, and enforceability of non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements.  Greg also represents employees in wage and hour, severance, non-competition and non-solicitation, and executive compensation matters.

Understanding that litigation is resource and time intensive and not always the most appropriate course of action, Greg spends a significant amount of his practice providing employment risk management counsel to his clients.  From offer letters and job descriptions to employee handbooks and restrictive covenants, Greg takes a vested interest in his clients’ mission, culture, and priorities to develop and implement policies and procedures that balance risk mitigation with the need to conduct business as usual.  Greg is a trusted resource for clients facing urgent employment decisions and provides counsel tailored for each unique circumstance.

Greg also specializes in representing public and private schools not only in employment-related matters, but also in special education, student discipline, governance, open meeting, and public records matters, as well as education policy development and implementation.  Greg regularly counsel clients on IDEA, FERPA, Title IX, and related state laws and regulations related to school operations

Greg has been recognized by his colleagues and clients for his prioritization of teamwork, commitment to excellence and partnership, and desire to implement solutions that account for risk while also understanding that operations must continue.

When Greg is not practicing law, he can be found on the sidelines of a soccer field with his wife and watching his two children (11 states and counting), golfing, skiing (particularly at Sugarbush), and relaxing with his black lab, Ozzy.   Greg still aspires to be the center fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Representative Experience

• Defended a large health care provider with hospitals across Massachusetts in a jury trial in Essex County against claims of disability discrimination and retaliation that resulted in a complete defense verdict.  Greg is particularly proud of this result because his representation of the client began only after the close of discovery and disclosure of expert witnesses.
• Obtained summary judgment (and successfully defended a subsequent motion for reconsideration) on behalf of a health care provider against allegations of violating the Massachusetts Wage Act  after being retained only after Court entered default judgment against client.
• Defends the interests of employers in the construction, primary care, and long-term care industries before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (“MCAD”), and the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights and obtained lack of probable cause findings and dismissal of claims.
• Serves as outside general counsel for employers and provide risk management guidance on a daily basis concerning termination and adverse employment decisions, leave and accommodations requests and processes, wage and hour considerations, enforceability of non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements, and development and implementation of workplace policies and procedures.
• Drafts multi-jurisdictional employee handbooks for clients in the construction, health care, and education industries to ensure compliance with various federal and state laws, particularly in the areas of anti-harassment, non-discrimination, various types of leave, paid time off (e.g., vacation, sick leave, statutory leave), and terms and timing of compensation.
• Successfully negotiated class action settlement on behalf of construction client in litigation concerning alleged Massachusetts wage and hour violations and cost effectively managed clients risk and protected client interests and viability moving forward .
• Served as second chair on medical malpractice and premises liability trials in which his trial team secured defense verdicts and in which responsibilities included drafting and arguing trial motions, preparing lay and expert witnesses, and analyzing and preparing exhibits for use at trial.
• Regularly presents to and publishes for industry groups regarding employment risk management and developments in federal and state employment laws.