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Wilusz_John

John M. Wilusz

Associate Boston

John Wilusz is an Associate in Hinckley Allen’s Litigation group. John practices in all areas of civil litigation, with a concentration in employment law litigation. As part of his practice, he defends and counsels employers on employer-employee relationships and brings a broad range of experience with employment discrimination claims, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct claims, discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour disputes, and other employment-related matters. John brings great depth managing a diverse caseload of employment litigation claims, defending alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, state law whistleblower and wrongful termination claims, as well as various bullying/harassment, defamation and contract-based claims. He counsels management on employment agreements, separations, and severance negotiations, and regularly drafts and revises employee handbooks and policies.

In addition, John has successfully defended claims for civil rights violations and other federal and state constitutional claims. Prior to joining Hinckley Allen, John represented civil defendants in Massachusetts federal and state courts in all stages of litigation, with an emphasis on defense of municipal employers.

John has completed Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) certified courses, including Train-the-Trainer: Preventing Workplace Discrimination & Harassment. He is also on the MCAD referral list for employers seeking a discrimination prevention trainer.

John earned a B.A. from Northeastern University, where he graduated magna cum laude, and a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School, where he graduated cum laude and served as a staff member and editor of the Suffolk University Law Review.

Experience

  • Lawless v. Estrella, 99 Mass. App. Ct. 16 (2020), cert. denied, 486 Mass. 1115 (2021)
  • Cass v. Town of Wayland, et al, 383 F.Supp.3d 66 (D. Mass. 2019)
  • Comley v. Town of Rowley, 296 F.Supp.3d 327 (D. Mass. 2017)
  • Federico v. Town of Rowley, et al, 2016 WL 7155984 (D. Mass. 2016)
  • Loreti v. Tulimieri, 60 N.E.3d 1197 (Mass. App. Ct. 2016)
  • McGrath v. Town of Sandwich, 169 F.Supp.3d 251 (D. Mass. 2015)
  • DaRosa v. City of New Bedford, 471 Mass. 446 (2015) – amicus curiae brief on behalf of Massachusetts Municipal Association

Credentials

Work Experience

  • Hinckley Allen
    • Associate (2022-Present)
  • Pierce Davis & Perritano, LLP
    • Senior Associate (2014-2021)
  • Sugarman & Sugarman, PC
    • Associate (2012-2014)

Honors & Awards

  • Best Lawyers® Ones to Watch (2024)
    • Litigation — Labor and Employment
  • Boston Magazine, Top Lawyers (2022-2023)
    • Labor and Employment
  • Super Lawyers, Massachusetts
    • Rising Stars (2015-2023)

Charitable & Civic Involvement

  • Mentor, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay
  • Mentor, Suffolk University Law School Alumni Mentor Program

Professional Affiliations

  • Boston Bar Association
    • Labor & Employment Section Steering Committee Member
  • Federal Bar Association

Bar Memberships

  • Massachusetts
  • United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
  • United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Publications

  • Federal Civil Procedure – Government May Intervene and Invoke State Secrets Privilege For Defendant Company That Allegedly Assisted CIA Mohamed v. Jeppesen Dataplan, Inc., 614 F.3d 1090 (9th Cir. 2010) (en banc), cert. denied, 131 S. Ct. 2442 (2011), 44 Suffolk U. L. Rev. 981 (2011)
  • Constitutional Law – Arrest or Impaired Movement Material to Physical Force Seizure Analysis – Brooks v. Gaenzle, 614 F.3d 1213 (10th Cir. 2010), cert. denied, 131 S. Ct. 1045 (2011), 45 Suffolk U. L. Rev. 227 (2011)

Newsroom

Publication

Federal Trade Commission Issues Final Rule Prohibiting Non-Compete Agreements

On April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) approved and issued a final rule effectively banning non-compete agreements nationwide (the “Final Rule”). As a result of a 3-to-2 vote, the FTC found that non-compete clauses are an unfair me…

Publication

Federal Court Invalidates NLRB’s Joint Employer Standard

Update: As we indicate below, the NLRB’s final rule regarding the standard to determine joint-employer status under the NLRA was met with a challenge in the court system, and on March 8, 2024, just days before the applicable regulations would have come i…

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Firm News

Hinckley Allen’s Legal Excellence Recognized by Boston Magazine

Hinckley Allen is pleased to announce that numerous attorneys have been recognized by Boston Magazine, earning the prestigious title of "The Top Lawyers of 2023." This annual accolade, initiated in 2021, is designed to highlight outstanding legal talent in…

Firm News

57 Hinckley Allen Lawyers Included in 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

A total of 57 Hinckley Allen attorneys were named to the Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Upstate New York for 2023, including those newly recognized as well as featured in Top Lists.Ger…

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Events

Past Event

Virtual Program: OSHA Compliance Essentials — Safeguarding Rights & Mitigating Risks from Pre-Inspection to Post-Investigation

March 28, 2024

Hinckley Allen's Labor & Employment Group invites you to attend its third virtual Lunch & Learn program. Join Hinckley Allen Partners Christopher Morog, Robert Ferguson, and John Wilusz as they delve into essential topics to ensure compliance and s…

Past Event

WEBINAR: Labor & Employment

September 27, 2023

Join us for our fall Labor & Employment update, where we will cover recent legislation and case updates in the ever-expanding area of labor and employment law. What the latest Supreme Court cases on Title VII and affirmative action mean for your busin…

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