Tawny L Alvarez

Practice Areas

-Employment & Labor

-Construction

-Financial Services

-Food & Beverage

-Manufacturing Food & Beverage

-Manufacturing

-Retail Food & Beverage

Career

Your culture defines your business, and Tawny prides herself on helping clients comply with the law while simultaneously creating an amazing place to work.

She centers her practice on the understanding that the employment landscape is ever-changing and organizations do not have the time or resources to keep abreast of all these changes—from medical (and recreational) marijuana's effect on drug testing to the effect of social networking in the workplace, including the effect of the use of mobile devices on wage and hour issues. In this evolving landscape, Tawny recognizes that for companies to remain profitable and successful they must be proactive, not merely reactive, to these issues.

As many of these issues are swiftly evolving, Tawny prides herself on keeping current on these developments in the workplace and is skilled at crafting cost-effective solutions for adapting to them. She sensibly recognizes that one-size representation does not fit all, and focuses her practice on providing creative, cost-effective, and individualized labor and employment counseling and representation to clients while maintaining the culture that they have worked so hard to construct.

Tawny has represented diverse clients in a broad range of industries, from small family-owned businesses and non-profits to Fortune 100 companies across the country. In each situation, she recognizes that each company's culture and employment needs are distinct and crafts her practice to provide solutions that take these individualized needs and cultures into account. She frequently advises clients and defends them in court and before administrative bodies throughout the Northeast with issues including:

Wage and hour

Whistleblowing

Harassment/discrimination/retaliation (FMLA, ADA, FCA, FLSA, OSHA, USERRA, GINA, and ADEA)

Unemployment compensation

Employment agreements (including breach of separation agreements and restrictive covenant agreements, such as non-competes and non-solicitation)

Drug testing

Supervisor liability

Social media and technology in the workplace

Tawny's experience working with judges across the country at the trial and appellate levels provides her with a unique level of insight as to the ins and outs of state and federal litigation. Outside the adversarial setting, she counsels clients on best practices to minimize potential litigation with current and former employees including preparing separation agreements and drafting and revising policy handbooks.

Tawny serves as editor of Verrill's Employment & Labor Group blog, Taking Care of HR Business, and regularly presents to employers, human resources professionals, and peers on trending issues, best practices, and industry-specific concerns. Tawny created the HR Law 101 Series to provide individuals who are new to human resources with guidance on best practices regarding issues that frequently develop.

She also co-chairs the firm's Food & Beverage Group. Using the same mindset—that one size does not fit all—she enjoys helping small and large companies in the food and beverage community stay in compliance with state and federal regulations while simultaneously maintaining a culture that works for the organization. She represents retail and manufacturers that produce wine, beer, ice cream, and other specialties, as well as restaurants and bars throughout the Northeast. Tawny also currently serves on the Brewers Association Code of Conduct Compliant Review Panel.

Professional Memberships

-Board Member, Manufacturers Association of Maine

Personal

Outside the office, Tawny enjoys reading fiction; exploring art museums and the Maine coast; experiencing Portland's myriad drinking, dining, and cultural options; traveling; and spending time with her daughter.