Robert M. Hale

Rob Hale, a partner in and chair of the firm’s Employment Practice, represents employers across a broad spectrum of employment matters.

Rob’s practice involves representation of clients in employment litigation, including noncompetition, discrimination, wrongful discharge, FLSA and ERISA litigation. He has obtained successful results for employers at all stages of litigation, including in preliminary injunction proceedings, at summary judgment, at trial and on appeal. Rob is experienced in successfully representing employers before administrative agencies and in labor arbitrations. His practice also includes counseling in numerous areas of labor and employment law, including disability discrimination, sexual harassment and other discrimination matters; noncompetition agreement and other restrictive covenants; downsizing; employment agreements; wage and hour compliance; collective bargaining; and personnel policy development and administration. In addition, Rob is experienced in providing training for managers, supervisors and human resources professionals.

Rob is a former employer co-chair of the Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee of the American Bar Association. He is a former chair of the ABA's subcommittee on the Family and Medical Leave Act, the ABA's subcommittee on the WARN Act and the Boston Bar Association's Employee Benefits/ERISA Committee. He is also a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA).

Chambers USA has ranked Rob as a Band 1 attorney for 2023 in Massachusetts for his work in Labor & Employment. Chambers USA states that clients praise Rob as “a top-notch lawyer and adviser, unfailingly pleasant and effective” and “extremely adept in HR and personnel law.”

Rob has been selected for inclusion in The Legal 500 US 2022-2023 for his work in Workplace and Employment Counseling. Rob is also one of only 43 US labor and employment attorneys included in the Chambers Global Guide 2023.

He has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for his work in Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment 2022-2024.

Benchmark Litigation recognizes Rob as a 2021 Litigation Star in Massachusetts for his work in Labor & Employment. Rob was elected as a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers in 2007. He has also been repeatedly selected for inclusion in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Chambers Global, The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers magazine.

Rob has spoken at a number of seminars, including those presented by the American, Boston and Massachusetts Bar Associations and various professional and trade groups.

Rob is co-editor-in-chief of the comprehensive and leading treatise entitled The Family and Medical Leave Act, and was a chapter editor of the first edition of The Fair Labor Standards Act - both published jointly by the American Bar Association and the Bureau of National Affairs.