For the second consecutive year, Husson University and the law firm of Eaton Peabody will be offering informative, educational opportunities to members of the public as part of their Smart Business Seminar Series. The first workshop for the 2017-2018 academic year is called “Proven Legal Strategies to Avoid and Handle Employment Discrimination Claims.” It will take place at the Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business on Husson University’s Bangor, Maine campus on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
“Employment discrimination claims can be costly,” says Husson University College of Business Dean Marie Hansen, J.D., Ph.D. “In addition to the expenses associated with internal investigations and potential lawsuits, public exposure associated with these claims can have a significant impact on an organization’s reputation and bottom line results. Knowing how to protect your organization when employment discrimination claims arise is important for every business owner interested in being successful in today’s litigious workplace environment.”
The upcoming seminar features two knowledgeable presenters:
The first is Eaton Peabody Shareholder Sarah E. Newell. According to her Eaton Peabody biography, Newell’s practice focuses on employment and labor law. She assists clients with a broad range of issues including wage and hour; sexual harassment; the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); employee discipline and discharge; discrimination; whistleblower actions; collective bargaining; contract administration; labor arbitration; and other employment and labor issues. Newell also investigates complaints of discrimination for employers, colleges, and universities on a regular basis. Prior to joining Eaton Peabody, she served as state office representative to United States Senator Susan Collins.
Joining Newell will be Eaton Peabody Shareholder Thad B. Zmistowski. Zmistowski specializes in civil litigation with an emphasis on employment discrimination defense. He also represents clients in commercial disputes, lender liability litigation, railroad litigation, securities litigation, and personal injury litigation before state and federal courts. In addition, his practices covers defamation and First Amendment law. Zmistowski’s clients include business entities of all sizes. Insurance companies, banks, railroads, newspapers and individuals, have all been Zmistowski clients.
“Working together with Husson University and the Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business, the Smart Business Seminar Series has provided Eaton Peabody with an opportunity to inform local business owners about the critical issues they need to address,” says Chair of Eaton Peabody’s Business Practice Group Gretchen Jones. “We look forward to providing Maine’s business community with the information and services they need. Developing good employment practices benefits employees, employers and consumers.”
“The Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business at Husson University is dedicated to expanding the delivery of professional services to Maine entrepreneurs, particularly those who have limited means and resources,” said Brien Walton, J.D., Ed.D., assistant director of the Center for Family Business and an assistant professor of entrepreneurship at Husson University. “We want to be the place where leaders of family businesses can just drop in and get answers to their problems, or get the help they need to prevent problems from arising. Working together with Eaton Peabody, we provide information to entrepreneurs that give new businesses a better chance of success.”
A continental breakfast will be available at the upcoming presentation. Individuals interested in registering for the upcoming Smart Business Seminar Series event should contact Nate Levesque via email at nlevesque@eatonpeabody.com. The seminar is free and open to the public.