Corey F. Higgins

Corey is a Partner and Chair of the Firm's Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Group. He represents both private- and public-sector employers. His practice covers all areas of labor and employment law, including collective bargaining, unfair labor practices, labor arbitration, employment discrimination, non-competition and non-disclosure agreements, unemployment appeals and various other employment-related issues. Corey also routinely counsels employers about the application of various Massachusetts and federal employment laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Massachusetts Earned Sick Leave Time Law, the Massachusetts Parental Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), the Massachusetts Plant Closing Law, the Massachusetts Independent Contractor law, and other Massachusetts wage and hour laws.

Corey was named a Massachusetts “Rising Star” by Boston magazine and Law & Politics in 2008-2012. In 2013, he was selected by the Worcester Business Journal as one of “40 under Forty” professionals honored for their professional excellence and community service.

Corey is also an alumnus of the Leadership Worcester class of 2015-2016.

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court for Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • Villanova University School of Law JD (2002)
  • Lafayette College AB (1999)
  • Represented employers in enforcement and defense of non-competition and non-solicitation agreements
  • Represented employers in collective bargaining negotiations and grievance arbitrations
  • Represented employers before the Commonwealth's Division of Unemployment Assistance in matters concerning claims for unemployment filed by former employees
  • Represented employers before the Commonwealth's Department of Labor Relations in prosecution of unfair labor practices committed by unions and in defense of charges of prohibited practice filed by unions
  • Represented employers before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and in state and federal courts in defense of charges of protected class discrimination
  • Represented a school district in defense of a grievance filed by a union alleging the school district's violation of a collective bargaining agreement by changing employee shift assignments
  • Regularly advise employers on matters relating to use of social media in the workplace
  • Routinely advise employers on new Massachusetts Earned Sick Time Law
  • Advise employers on marijuana use in the workplace

Publications/Presentations

Professional / Community Affiliations

  • American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
  • Massachusetts Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, PFML Regulations Subcommittee, chair
  • Worcester County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, past co-chair
  • Community Legal Aid of Central MA, Board member
  • North Central MA Chamber of Commerce, Human Resources Council member

Dartmouth College Men’s Basketball Team Held to Be Employees of Institution and Allowed to Unionize

In the Matter of Trustees of Dartmouth College & Service Employees International Union, Local 560, Case 01-RC-325633 (2024), the Regional Office of the National Labor Relations Board (the “NLRB” or the “Board”) has provided yet another expansion of the Board’s on-going …

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New California Non-Compete Law Prohibits Almost All Non-Compete Agreements and Requires Notice to Certain Current and Former Employees by February 14

California has long taken an extremely strong position against non-compete agreements, but new laws which took effect January 1, 2024 make that prohibition even stronger and impact employers nationwide who have any employees in California.  California now expressly prohibits any …

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Navigating Pay Transparency Laws: What Employers Need to Know

Over the last several years, in an effort to close the gender pay gap, several states and localities across the country have enacted pay transparency laws that, generally, require employers of certain sizes with employees in those locations to disclose …

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Private Employers Take Note: Overbroad Non-Disparagement & Confidentiality Restrictions in Severance Agreements Run Afoul of the National Labor Relations Act

As many employers well know, it is customary to include non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions in severance agreements that prohibit departing employees from (i) making disparaging, critical, or otherwise detrimental comments concerning the employer and (ii) disclosing information concerning the substance, …

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Is Your Company in Compliance With Executive Order 13706?

In September 2015, Executive Order 13706 was signed, requiring employers that enter into covered contracts with the federal government to provide covered employees with up to seven days (56 hours) of paid sick leave annually, including paid leave allowing for …

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SJC Finds Public Meeting Comment Restrictions Unconstitutional

Government boards and committees should review their public comment policies following a decision this week by the Supreme Judicial Court holding that a “civility code” violated the Massachusetts Constitution’s Declaration of Rights and the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act. In Barron v. …

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The FTC’s Proposed Ban On Noncompetes – Predictions

Following his election, President Biden issued “The Biden Plan for Strengthening Worker Organizing, Collective Bargaining and Unions,” in which he promised to work with Congress to “eliminate all non-compete agreements” with very limited exceptions. While a bipartisan bill, the Workforce …

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Update Policies to Comply with the Massachusetts CROWN Act

At the end of October 2022, the Massachusetts Act Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Natural and Protective Hairstyles (the “CROWN Act”) went into effect. The CROWN Act expands the definition of “race” under Chapter 151B to include “traits historically associated with …

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2023 Changes in Massachusetts Employment Laws

            Beginning January 1, 2023, changes to the Massachusetts Minimum Wage Law, retail premium pay, and Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Law take effect. Changes to Minimum Wage & Premium Pay Changes to Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) …

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Employers Must Remember Their Obligations under the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (the “Act”), which went into effect on April 1, 2018, amended Massachusetts General Law c. 151B to include “pregnancy or a condition related to pregnancy, including, but not limited to, lactation, or the need …

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