Marc L. Terry

Marc is a partner in the Firm's Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Group and leads its Public Education practice.  He concentrates his practice in the representation of public school districts, municipalities and other public entities as well as private employers in labor and employment law.  He has been the lead negotiator for numerous collective bargaining negotiations, successfully defended clients in labor arbitrations, against unfair labor practice charges and appeals to the Civil Service Commission, and has handled numerous representation proceedings.

Marc advises clients in a wide range of labor and employment-related issues, such as investigating employee misconduct; imposing employee discipline; negotiating employment, separation and non-compete agreements; drafting employment policies; managing employees with medical conditions under the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act; conducting reductions-in-force and complying with wage and hour law, including the Massachusetts independent contractor law.

In his public school practice, Marc also advises districts regarding school policy, student discipline, student rights, the budget process, professional licensing requirements, the non-renewal of professional staff and other education-related issues.

Marc defends clients against allegations of sexual harassment, employment discrimination, wrongful termination, wage and hour violations and Family and Medical Leave Act violations. Marc regularly represents clients before the Department of Labor Relations, the American Arbitration Association, the Civil Service Commission, the National Labor Relations Board and the state and federal courts.

In 2008, Marc was selected by the Worcester Business Journal as one of "40 under Forty" professionals honored for their professional excellence and community service.  In 2024, Marc was selected as a member of the newly formed AASA Committee to enhance advocacy work with federal agencies and Congress.

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court for Massachusetts
  • Suffolk University Law School JD, cum laude (1996)
  • Boston University BA (1991)
  • Successfully defended employer in grievance arbitration regarding the termination of employee for misconduct
  • Successfully defended school district in lengthy suspension of teacher who compromised exam security protocols
  • Negotiated performance-based compensation in teachers’ collective bargaining agreement
  • Negotiated significant health insurance cost containment measures for numerous public, unionized employers
  • Successfully defended municipal employer in termination of police officer for abuse of authority, fraud and extortion.
  • Represented numerous clients in wage and hour investigations by Attorney General’s Office and U.S. Department of Labor
  • Obtained favorable resolution to unfair labor practice claim alleging discrimination against school superintendent

Publications/Presentations

Professional / Community Affiliations

  • National Council of School Attorneys, Steering Committee Chair; Board of Directors (2017-2022)
  • Ashland School Committee, vice chair (2015-present)
  • Massachusetts Council of School Attorneys, Executive Committee (2009-2012), president (2011)
  • MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors (2011-2016), chair (2013)
  • Leadership MetroWest, Board of Directors (2006-2015); chair (2012-2014); graduate of the Leadership Academy (2004)

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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