Neal J McNamara

Practice Areas

Neal McNamara is a member of the Labor and Employment group. He represents companies and organizations of all sizes, counseling them regarding employment issues and defending them when they are sued on employment-related issues.

I focus on two main areas—both connected to the workforce.

I counsel clients on issues with their employees and defend them if disputes arise. I advise my clients on the full range of employee issues, from handling the very tricky interplay of FMLA leaves, workers compensation and the ADA, to drafting employment policies, to investigating complaints of discrimination and harassment, and to crafting agreements to protect the client’s trade secrets and confidential information. I do this with an eye to preventing litigation.

When that is not possible, I defend clients in suits alleging discrimination, harassment and breach of employment agreements. I recently obtained a jury verdict for a client in a case alleging discrimination on the basis of race, national origin and religion. I also obtained summary judgment in a case involving similar allegations. In addition, I represent clients in lawsuits where they seek to enforce employment agreements and protect their trade secrets and confidential information.

I expect to see an increase in the number of age discrimination complaints as well as complaints claiming national origin and religious discrimination. In addition, I believe that employers will face increasing challenges related to protection of trade secrets and confidential information, including enforcement of non-compete and non-solicit agreements.

Career

New York University School of Law, J.D.

Columbia University, M.A., History

University of Pennsylvania, B.A., magna cum laude

Professional Memberships

Member of the board of directors of the Rhode Island Disability Law Foundation since 1998 and has served as the chair since 2008

Member of the Board of the Federal Bar Association of Rhode Island since 2003

American Bar Association

Board of The Scandinavian Home

McAuley House

Rhode Island Bar Association

The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island