Sara Goldsmith Schwartz

Sara “‘makes the legalese understandable’” and demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills. She is experienced in both employment discrimination litigation and traditional labor relations.”  ~ Chambers USA

Sara is the Founder and President of Schwartz Hannum PC, named one of the Top 50 Women-Owned Businesses in Massachusetts in 2010.  She began her legal career at the law firm of Ropes & Gray in Boston, after completing a federal court clerkship with The Honorable William Young in Boston.  Sara’s practice includes the representation of employers with respect to employment discrimination claims in government agencies and courts throughout the United States, as well as counseling clients and representing them with respect to traditional labor law issues.  Sara is particularly experienced in representing multi-state clients with respect to state-specific issues, and has extensive experience in representing independent schools, as well as businesses in the technology, financial services, private clubs, health care and staffing industries.  Sara is a frequent speaker at seminars for attorneys, human resources professionals and independent school administrators, as well as often speaking at the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE), HR Credit Union Network, Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), National Business Officers Association (NBOA), New England Club Managers Association (NECMA), and North Shore Chamber of Commerce.

In the course of representing more than 85 educational institutions across the United States, Sara has become a trusted advisor to the Head of School, Chairman of the Board, Deans, Business Officers and others as independent school leaders tackle and resolve matters of school governance, student and employee disciplinary matters, risk management, sexual abuse allegations, and the myriad compliance documents such as enrollment agreements, school bylaws, student/parent handbooks and more.

Sara has been selected as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer and top Labor and Employment attorney in Massachusetts for six consecutive years.  Sara was selected as one of the “Up and Coming Lawyers in Massachusetts” in 2001 by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.  For the past seven years, Sara has been recognized by Chambers USA as a leading attorney in her area of expertise.  Chambers publishes guides world-wide on law firms and lawyers and is a highly recognized leader in its field.  In 2012, Chambers and Partners wrote that Sara “makes the legalese understandable” and “demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills.  She is experienced in both employment discrimination litigation and traditional labor relations.”  In 2011, Chambers and Partners described Sara as “a great strategist who comes up with practical and elegant solutions – simply an extraordinarily effective attorney.”  In recent years, Chambers’ sources described Sara as “a formidable advocate” who “always does her homework,” in order to sharpen her “cutting-edge knowledge of the law.”  A “’delight to deal with’, she is a firm favorite for clients, who appreciate her cost-effective advice.”  She is “a businesswoman:  diligent, thorough and always prepared,” with an “aggressive and adversarial style, much appreciated by her clients” and a “smart and tenacious lawyer. She has the drive and determination to succeed.”  In 2010, Sara was selected as one of the top entrepreneurs in the country by Diversity Business, the nation’s primary resource portal for business connections, and the Firm was named one of the Top 50 Woman-Owned Businesses in Massachusetts.

LEGAL UPDATES

Safety Audits For Independent Schools

’Tis The Season For Perfecting Enrollment Agreements

Federal Court Strikes Down NLRB’s Election Rule Changes

Is Your Fundraising Raffle Legal?

Business Severely Sanctioned For CEO’s Destruction Of Litigation-Related Documents

Lawsuits Challenging Status Of Unpaid Interns: On The Rise

Recent ADA Cases Underscore Heightened Accommodation Duties

Deposition Errata Sheets Face Scrutiny Under Recent SJC Ruling

Massachusetts Enacts “Gender Identity” Law

U.S. Supreme Court Allows Discrimination By Religious Institutions

REPORTED DECISIONS

First Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment For Employer In Disability Case Brought Under The Americans With Disabilities Act And Chapter 151B

Mark Jones v. Nationwide Life Insurance Company, et al.

Beverly National Bank v. Stephen F. Curran et al.

Hamilton v. Artel Video Systems, Inc. et al

Cancellieri vs. Northeast Hospital Corporation et al.

Hamilton v. Artel Video Systems, Inc. et al

Sports Turf International, Inc. v. Darin Aldrich

Creef v. Cognex Corporation

Linda Cancellieri v. Northeast Hospital Corporation

J.D.H. Fitness Inc. d/b/a Fitness Together v. Ari B. Selig, ABS Fitness LLC, et al.

EVENTS

Dual Use Devices In The Workplace: Understanding and Managing The Risks

Conducting An I-9 Audit: Tips, Traps And Best Practices

CAIS: 9th Annual CAIS Conference for Trustees

NECMA: 22nd Annual CMAA Mid Management Conference

Dual Use Devices In the Workplace: Understanding And Managing The Risks

Technology Policy Update & Best Practices for Independent Schools

Technology Policy Update & Best Practices for Independent Schools

Technology Policy Update & Best Practices for Independent Schools

Advanced Employment Law Boot Camp

Criminal Records Risk Management: Best Practices For Minimizing School Liability