Services

Employment Law

Compliance with employment laws can be one of the most pressing concerns for any organization, whether you are a new business hiring its first employee or a large employer facing a major down-sizing.

Our commitment is to provide prompt and strategic advice delivered in clear and declarative language. Clients want advice to act on, not a legal treatise. Lawsuits by disgruntled employees and former employees are a constant threat to employers. We work to minimize the risks of a lawsuit being filed through preventative measures such as policy development, training, and HR audits, and also by timely counsel when a client is making an important personnel decisions.

Art print of a boat on calm water, hanging on a light gray wall.

“These are hands-on lawyers who understand our industry and how our company operates. They bring intelligence, integrity, and innovation to their representation of L.L. Bean.”

Leon A. Gorman

L.L. Bean President (1967-2001), Chairman (2001-2013), Chairman Emeritus (2013-2015)

We help management make sense of the myriad labor and employment laws, regulations, and court decisions and offer practical advice tailored to client business needs.

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Where We Excel

Day-to-Day Advice & Counsel

Brann & Isaacson advises employers in all areas of day-to-day employee relations matters. Our clients want a partner who can respond in minutes to the unexpected personnel matter that calls for legal advice.

Clients turn to us for advice on terminations—whether an individual or a mass layoff. We steer clients through investigations, termination assessments, termination letters, WARN Act and severance pay notices, unemployment, references, confidentiality, severance, and COBRA. We draft separation agreements.

On wage and hour matters, we advise on exempt/non-exempt status, overtime, minimum wage, independent contractor status, FLSA, and a host of related compliance issues.

We counsel employers about workplace safety and OSHA compliance, and we defend enforcement actions.  

Labor-Management Relations

B&I works with both public and private sector employers in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements and contract administration. In the event of a dispute, we handle arbitrations and unfair labor practice proceedings before the NLRB and state labor relation agencies.

Employment Investigations & Litigation

B&I regularly serves as special outside counsel in high profile, sensitive,internal investigations. We also support our clients with their own internal employee investigations. We have a skilled Title IX investigator who works closely with our educational clients in public schools and colleges.

In the event of a lawsuit, we provide seasoned trial counsel. We vigorously defend employers before state agencies, the EEOC, and federal and state courts in wrongful discharge, wage and hour, harassment, and discrimination claims, including claims based on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, FLSA, FMLA, COBRA, WARN Act, ADEA, ADA, EPA, and OWBPA. 

Employment Matters & Labor

B&I attorneys draft and review employment policies and employee handbooks, and keep clients informed of emerging developments through newsletters, alerts, and seminars.

Our training programs include workshops on performance management and termination, performance evaluation, workplace harassment and discrimination, managing leaves of absence and attendance, and interviewing and hiring.    

Conferences, Workshops & Publications

B&I lawyers share their knowledge and expertise throughout the year as regular speakers at employment and HR conferences and workshops, including: The Maine HR Conference, Samoset; Annual Employment Law Update, Central Maine Human Resources Association; Maine Rural Water Association Annual Conference; Maine School Management Annual Conference; and the L.L. Bean In-House HR Law Training.

Our Employment Law Team

Primary Contacts

Peter Lowe

Email: plowe@brannlaw.com

Phone: 207.786.3566

Daniel Stockford

Email: dstockford@brannlaw.com

Phone: 207.786.3566

  • Nathaniel Bessey

    Nathaniel Bessey

    Partner

  • Lynn Gelinas

    Lynn Gelinas

    Counsel

  • Eamonn Hart

    Eamonn Hart

    Partner

  • Peter Lowe

    Peter Lowe

    Partner

  • Daniel Stockford

    Daniel Stockford

    Partner

  • Hannah Wurgaft

    Hanna Wurgaft

    Partner

Recent News

  • Peter Lowe Presents at the Maine HR Convention 
    • Events

    The Maine HR Convention returns to Rockport May 4–7, bringing together HR professionals from across…

  • Brann & Isaacson Offers Guidance on Maine Paid Family and Medical Implementation 
    • Firm Updates

    As Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program moves closer to full implementation on May 1, 2026, Brann…

  • Employment Law Webinar on February 11
    • Events

    Join Peter Lowe and David Ciullo of Career Management Associates on February 11 at 12pm…

View All News

Case Studies

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Recent
Cases

  • Former Price Promotions, Current Legal Risk

    Former price promotions, you say? Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose. This isn’t just a quote from Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr or a line from Circumstances by Rush. It’s also a fitting description of the risks associated with California’s thorny and potentially unconstitutional Business & Professions Code § 17501. The combination of this statute and avaricious lawyers is…

  • Brann & Isaacson Partner Jamie Szal Presents at Global Women in Law & Leadership Symposium at United Nations

    Brann & Isaacson today announced that Partner Jamie Szal will serve as a keynote speaker at the Global Women in Law & Leadership Symposium at the United Nations in New York on June 17. The Global Women in Law & Leadership Symposium supports the success of women and their allies in law and business. It is organized by the Association…

  • Brann & Isaacson Earns Broad Recognition in 2026 Super Lawyers Rankings

    Brann & Isaacson is pleased to announce that eleven of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 editions of New England Super Lawyers and New England Rising Stars.  The following Brann & Isaacson attorneys were selected to the 2026 New England Super Lawyers list:• Peter Brann – Intellectual Property Litigation • Martin Eisenstein – Tax • Kevin Haley – Intellectual Property • Peter Lowe –…

  • B&I University: AI and the Hidden IP Risks You Need to Know 

    As retailers increasingly use AI tools to enhance and inform operations, they must understand the legal framework governing their deployment to protect their brands.  On May 20, Stacy Stitham, Managing Partner at B&I, and Partner Kevin Haley presented a B&I University webinar on AI and the Hidden IP Risks You Need to Know.   In the presentation, they explored the critical intersection of:  The webinar concluded with general risk mitigation strategies that businesses…

  • Upcoming Webinar: Employment Law

    Join us on May 20 at 12:00pm ET for the next installment of our employment law webinar series, presented by Brann & Isaacson in partnership with Career Management Associates (CMA). B&I Partner Peter Lowe will be joined by David Ciullo, CEO of CMA, to discuss the most topical employment law developments affecting employers today. The…

  • ICE Made I-9 Mistakes Much More Costly for Employers

    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has quietly updated its Fact Sheet on Form I-9 Inspections, eliminating employers’ prior ability to correct many technical errors during an audit by reclassifying them as “substantive” violations that trigger immediate penalty exposure. Read more about it here. As always, we remind you that a client alert is not legal advice…

  • Privacy Revisited: Connecticut’s Substantial Amendments Take Effect July 1, 2026

    Connecticut has given its privacy law a facelift for 2026, with significant changes taking effect starting July 1. Read about the notable amendments here. As always, we remind you that a client alert is not legal advice and urge you to reach out to a member of our team with questions. Stacy O. Stitham |sstitham@brannlaw.com…

  • Peter Lowe Presents at the Maine HR Convention 

    The Maine HR Convention returns to Rockport May 4–7, bringing together HR professionals from across the state. Attendees are encouraged to join Peter Lowe’s Employee Handbook Audit Lab on May 6 at 1:00pm ET.   This interactive session will help organizations identify risk, strengthen internal policies, and adapt to an evolving regulatory environment. Participants can expect practical takeaways and actionable…

  • Nathaniel Bessey Selected to Serve Third Term on Law360’s 2026 Tax Authority State & Local Editorial Board 

    Brann & Isaacson congratulates Nathaniel Bessey on being invited to serve on Law360’s 2026 Tax Authority State & Local Editorial Board. This is Nat’s third term on the board.   Nat represented the American Commerce Marketing Association (ACMA) in its successful court challenge of California Franchise Tax Board guidance the effect of which would have removed important federal protections relied upon by out-of-state business engaged…

  • Portland Press Herald: Peter Brann on Ranked-Choice Voting

    Brann & Isaacson partner Peter Brann was quoted in the Portland Press Herald on April 1 in a story titled “Maine high court hears arguments for and against expansion of ranked-choice voting.” Supporters and opponents of a proposed expansion of ranked-choice voting in Maine presented conflicting arguments to the state’s high court Wednesday on whether…

  • Brann & Isaacson Offers Guidance on Maine Paid Family and Medical Implementation 

    As Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program moves closer to full implementation on May 1, 2026, Brann & Isaacson is emerging as a leading authority for employers statewide seeking clear, practical guidance on the new law’s requirements and real-world implications.  The firm’s recent webinar on PFML on March 5 drew more than 300 employers from across the state, underscoring both the widespread impact of the program and the uncertainty many organizations continue…

View All Cases

Retail & E-Commerce News

  • Former Price Promotions, Current Legal Risk

    Former price promotions, you say? Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose. This isn’t just a quote from Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr or a line from Circumstances by Rush. It’s also a fitting description of the risks associated with California’s thorny and potentially unconstitutional Business & Professions Code § 17501. The combination of this statute and avaricious lawyers is…

  • Brann & Isaacson Partner Jamie Szal Presents at Global Women in Law & Leadership Symposium at United Nations

    Brann & Isaacson today announced that Partner Jamie Szal will serve as a keynote speaker at the Global Women in Law & Leadership Symposium at the United Nations in New York on June 17. The Global Women in Law & Leadership Symposium supports the success of women and their allies in law and business. It is organized by the Association…

  • Brann & Isaacson Earns Broad Recognition in 2026 Super Lawyers Rankings

    Brann & Isaacson is pleased to announce that eleven of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 editions of New England Super Lawyers and New England Rising Stars.  The following Brann & Isaacson attorneys were selected to the 2026 New England Super Lawyers list:• Peter Brann – Intellectual Property Litigation • Martin Eisenstein – Tax • Kevin Haley – Intellectual Property • Peter Lowe –…

  • B&I University: AI and the Hidden IP Risks You Need to Know 

    As retailers increasingly use AI tools to enhance and inform operations, they must understand the legal framework governing their deployment to protect their brands.  On May 20, Stacy Stitham, Managing Partner at B&I, and Partner Kevin Haley presented a B&I University webinar on AI and the Hidden IP Risks You Need to Know.   In the presentation, they explored the critical intersection of:  The webinar concluded with general risk mitigation strategies that businesses…

  • Upcoming Webinar: Employment Law

    Join us on May 20 at 12:00pm ET for the next installment of our employment law webinar series, presented by Brann & Isaacson in partnership with Career Management Associates (CMA). B&I Partner Peter Lowe will be joined by David Ciullo, CEO of CMA, to discuss the most topical employment law developments affecting employers today. The…

  • ICE Made I-9 Mistakes Much More Costly for Employers

    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has quietly updated its Fact Sheet on Form I-9 Inspections, eliminating employers’ prior ability to correct many technical errors during an audit by reclassifying them as “substantive” violations that trigger immediate penalty exposure. Read more about it here. As always, we remind you that a client alert is not legal advice…

  • Privacy Revisited: Connecticut’s Substantial Amendments Take Effect July 1, 2026

    Connecticut has given its privacy law a facelift for 2026, with significant changes taking effect starting July 1. Read about the notable amendments here. As always, we remind you that a client alert is not legal advice and urge you to reach out to a member of our team with questions. Stacy O. Stitham |sstitham@brannlaw.com…

  • Peter Lowe Presents at the Maine HR Convention 

    The Maine HR Convention returns to Rockport May 4–7, bringing together HR professionals from across the state. Attendees are encouraged to join Peter Lowe’s Employee Handbook Audit Lab on May 6 at 1:00pm ET.   This interactive session will help organizations identify risk, strengthen internal policies, and adapt to an evolving regulatory environment. Participants can expect practical takeaways and actionable…

  • Nathaniel Bessey Selected to Serve Third Term on Law360’s 2026 Tax Authority State & Local Editorial Board 

    Brann & Isaacson congratulates Nathaniel Bessey on being invited to serve on Law360’s 2026 Tax Authority State & Local Editorial Board. This is Nat’s third term on the board.   Nat represented the American Commerce Marketing Association (ACMA) in its successful court challenge of California Franchise Tax Board guidance the effect of which would have removed important federal protections relied upon by out-of-state business engaged…

  • Portland Press Herald: Peter Brann on Ranked-Choice Voting

    Brann & Isaacson partner Peter Brann was quoted in the Portland Press Herald on April 1 in a story titled “Maine high court hears arguments for and against expansion of ranked-choice voting.” Supporters and opponents of a proposed expansion of ranked-choice voting in Maine presented conflicting arguments to the state’s high court Wednesday on whether…

  • Brann & Isaacson Offers Guidance on Maine Paid Family and Medical Implementation 

    As Maine’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program moves closer to full implementation on May 1, 2026, Brann & Isaacson is emerging as a leading authority for employers statewide seeking clear, practical guidance on the new law’s requirements and real-world implications.  The firm’s recent webinar on PFML on March 5 drew more than 300 employers from across the state, underscoring both the widespread impact of the program and the uncertainty many organizations continue…

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