Practice Focus
Susan Hughes Banning's practice covers a broad range of matters in the areas of civil litigation, dispute resolution, employment law and various compliance issues involving businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals. Susan has successfully represented clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts, and before administration agencies including the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and U.S. Department of Labor. Susan counsels employers on issues such as hiring and terminations, compliance with the laws regulating employment, privacy, employee discipline and retention, policy manuals, and employment agreements. She regularly conducts training sessions designed to improve management and to prevent litigation on topics including wage and hour claims, medical and disability leaves, and sexual harassment prevention and investigations.
Representative Experience
- Obtained a judgement from the Supreme Judicial Court approving the request of a museum for a reasonable deviation from a will to permit the museum to proceed with the construction of a new building
- Successfully defended religious organizations in securing the dismissal of various employment claims on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction and the First Amendment
- Obtaining summary judgement for an owner of a closely-held business in a dispute with his co-owner in a case involving claims of breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and misrepresentation
- Obtained multiple lack of probable cause findings and dismissals for employers in cases before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
- In cases involving business and nonprofit clients, succeeded in having insurers reverse prior lack of coverage determinations and to provide coverage for property damages and litigation claims
Activities and Publications
- What Every Employer Should Know: Real Questions, Real Answers (copyright Hemenway & Barnes LLP)
- Contributing author to Risk Management for Nonprofit Organizations (MCLE)
- Speaker for various business and professional groups, including Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc.
Community Involvement
- Best Buddies, Team Wayland
