Experience

Attorney Joseph S. Fair practices general municipal law, assisting clients with a variety of issues including town meetings, municipal charters and by-laws, conflict of interests, public records, the Open Meeting Law, and municipal finance. He also has 10 years of experience in labor and employment law, including negotiating collective bargaining, settlements, and other agreements. His experience includes representing clients before state and federal courts, various state agencies, and labor arbitrations; drafting and responding to discovery requests, dispositive motions and other pre-trial matters; conducting and defending depositions; drafting appellate briefs; and delivering arguments on appeal.

Attorney Fair has a well-rounded background in labor and employment law having represented public employers, labor unions, and individual employees. Prior to joining the firm, he was an associate for nearly six years at a Boston employment and labor boutique law firm where he represented labor unions and individuals in litigation and collective bargaining matters. He also served as a field representative attorney for the local chapter of a large union.

Representative Matters

• Negotiated agreements with numerous public employee unions over increases in employee health insurance contribution rates, co-pay amounts, and other health insurance changes.
• Obtained summary judgment for a town in a federal lawsuit in which a town employee had alleged that he had been retaliated against for engaging in protected speech and for “whistleblowing.”
• Favorably defended or resolved arbitration matters involving such subjects as discipline, lost detail pay, sick leave buyback, and paid detail rate calculation.
• Successfully represented municipal clients before the Civil Service Commission in employee discipline, discharge and employment bypass cases.

Prior Experience

Dwyer, Duddy, and Facklam, P.C., Boston, MA
Associate (1998-2004)
Represented clients in labor, employment and litigation matters in various state and federal forums. Drafted and resoponded to discovery requests, dispositive motions, and other pre-trial matters. Conducted and defended depositions. Prepared and presented case-in-chief of cases assigned. Drafted appellate briefs and delivered argument on appeal. Advised clients on labor and employment matters and provided them with written opinions. Negotiated collective bargaining, settlement, and other agreements.

Service Employees International Union, Local 254, Boston, MA
Field Representative/Attorney (1997-1998)

Represented collective bargaining unit members at disciplinary, grievance, and arbitration hearings. Assisted with contract negotiations. Principal administrator of all bargaining units assigned.

Memberships & Affiliations

• Massachusetts Bar Association

Bar & Court Admissions

• Massachusetts Bar
• U.S. District Court (Mass.)

Education

Boston College Law School
Juris Doctor, 1997

Northeastern University
Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, 1994

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