James P. Reidy

Specialization

• Labor & Employment Litigation
• Immigration
• Commercial Contracts
• International Contracts

About Jim's Practice

James Reidy practices in the areas of management side labor and employment law with an emphasis on assisting employers in effectively avoiding, or defending against, employment disputes. He represents organizations ranging from multi-national corporations, to closely-held, family-owned businesses, to not-for-profit entities and public sector employers. Since joining the firm in 1989, Jim has expanded an already well-established employment law practice group. This group is now recognized as one of the best labor and employment practices in Northern New England.

Jim has extensive experience handling matters before the New Hampshire Department of Labor, the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Department of Labor.

He regularly writes articles and presents seminars on a wide range of employment law topics. He is frequently asked by the media, business groups and human resources associations to comment on breaking news and recent developments in labor and employment law. He is the moderator of NHLABORNET, the popular Internet discussion group for human resource professionals in New Hampshire. Jim is also the creator and serves as the managing editor of Good Company, Sheehan Phinney’s quarterly e-newsletter, which features articles on legal developments and best practices in business.

Education

• J.D., cum laude, New England School of Law
• M.P.A., Northeastern University
• B.A., Assumption College

Major Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Editor, New Hampshire Employment Law Letter
• Quoted, "OSHA's Next Move: Agency at Work on Permanent COVID-19 Safety Standard," HR Daily Advisor, January 26, 2022
• Contributing Editor, New England Employment Law Letter
• Co-Author, "10 things that keep HR pros awake at night (COVID-19 edition), pt. 1 of 2," New Hampshire Employment Law Letter, October 2021, and HR Daily Advisor, October 27, 2021
• Quoted, "Tips for employers awaiting details on new COVID-19 vaccine rules," HR Daily Advisor, September 10, 2021
• Quoted, "Walsh's DOL Expected to Chart More Employee-Friendly Course," HR Daily Advisor, March 24, 2021
• Author, "2020 from a New England perspective: It was wicked awful!" New Hampshire Employment Law Letter, January 2021, and HR Daily Advisor, December 31, 2020
• Quoted, "Requiring COVID-19 Shots? Employers Advised to Follow EEOC Guidance Carefully," HR Daily Advisor, December 17, 2020
• Interviewed, "As businesses reopen, Granite Staters weigh if they should return to work or stay home," WMUR-TV, May 12, 2020
• Author, "How Tom Brady's future with the Patriots offers cautionary tale for employers," New Hampshire Employment Law Letter, February 2020, and HR Daily Advisor, January 29, 2020
• Quoted, "Medical marijuana is legal in NH. But, is its use legal where you work?" WMUR-TV, October 13, 2019
• Quoted, "When the Law Says Using Marijuana Is O.K., but the Boss Disagrees," New York Times, July 27, 2019
• Co-Author, "Politics at work: Can political activity and speech be managed? Should it be?" New Hampshire Employment Law Letter, April 2019, and HR Daily Advisor, May 24, 2019
• Author, "How to handle DOL wage and hour audits," New Hampshire Employment Law Letter, November 2018, and HR Daily Advisor, January 4, 2019
• Quoted, "Addiction in the C-Suite," CNN Business, October 22, 2018
• Quoted, "Pluses, Minuses Seen in Proposed DOL, DOE Merger," HR Daily Advisor, June 25, 2018
• Author, "NH employers, are you ready for potential paid family leave bill?" New Hampshire Employment Law Letter, April 2018, and HR Daily Advisor, May 18, 2018
• Quoted, "Spending Bill's Tip-Pooling Provision Opens Options for Employers," HR Daily Advisor, March 28, 2018
• Quoted, "Sessions memo changes DOJ position on transgender discrimination," Human Resources News, October 6, 2017
• Quoted, "Employers can play vital role when natural disaster strikes," Human Resources News, September 1, 2017
• Author, "The evolution of workplace laws according to Jagger," New Hampshire Business Review, September 2, 2016
• Co-Author, "The Department of Labor Announces Final Rule on White Collar Exemptions," Sheehan Phinney Client Alert, May 2016
• Author, "Labor & Employment Law: Do Proposed Changes to Wage Laws Make ‘Cents’ to Employers?" New Hampshire Bar Association News, April 20, 2016
• Author, "Donald Trump in HR? A survey," New Hampshire Business Review, February 2, 2016
• Author, "HR takeaways from the Patriots loss," New Hampshire Business Review, January 25, 2016

Professional Recognition

• Chambers USA, Employment Law
• Best Lawyers in America® 2014 Manchester Lawyer of the Year, Employment Law - Management
• Best Lawyers in America® 2016 Manchester Lawyer of the Year, Labor Law - Management
• Best Lawyers in America®, Employment Law - Management, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Labor Law - Management
• New England Super Lawyer®, Employment Law
• Business Excellence Award (Business and Professional Services), New Hampshire Business Review

Admitted to Practice

• State of New Hampshire
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• First Circuit Court of Appeals
• Member of the Labor and Employment Law sections of Lex Mundi, an international association of law firms
• American Bar Association
• New Hampshire Bar Association
• Massachusetts Bar Association