Laurel A. (Van Buskirk) McClead

Of Counsel

Laurel A. (Van Buskirk) McClead

Of Counsel

Phone: 207.772.1941 Fax: 207.772.3627 Email: lmcclead@dwmlaw.com

84 Marginal Way, Suite 600 Portland, ME 04101-2480

Assistant: Mary Kennedy Email: mkennedy@dwmlaw.com

About

For over 15 years, Laurel McClead has served the legal needs of public and private employers of all sizes. Laurel regularly advises employers on compliance with federal employment laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as state wage and hour, discrimination and leave laws.

Laurel’s advisory practice spans the full spectrum of employment concerns including hiring, discipline, termination, layoffs, discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, employee classification issues, investigations, training, and a variety of other human resources and personnel matters. Laurel also has substantial experience with “preventative medicine” – drafting and implementing clear and thoughtful policies, handbooks, contracts, and other employee communications that help employers manage employee expectations and effectively avoid disputes.

A skilled negotiator and litigator, Laurel represents employers in state and federal courts, and before state and federal administrative agencies including the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, the Maine Human Rights Commission, the EEOC, and the New Hampshire Department of Employment Security. Laurel also has significant experience representing employers in connection with audits and investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as the Maine and New Hampshire Departments of Labor.

Laurel enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and dog – especially being outdoors to explore the woods or getting out on the water.

Education

University of Richmond School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2003

McGill University, B.A., 2000

Recognition

New England Super Lawyers, Employment & Labor, Employment Litigation, Rising Star 2011-2018

Publications

The Evolving World of Sex Discrimination Law, NH Business Review (November 2013)

Memberships

Maine Bar Association

New Hampshire Bar Association

Community/Public Service

Maine Startup Weekend 2015: Women’s Edition
Coach

Junior League of Portland, ME
Member

Past Presentations

From December 4, 2019 12:00 pm

Significant Cases and Highlights From 2019

From June 5, 2019 8:00 am

Hiring the Best Seamlessly and Without Incident: Attracting the Right Applicants, Interviewing, Onboarding, and I-9s

From May 7, 2019 12:00 pm

Using Communication to Create a Productive and Positive Employment Relationship and Mitigate Risk

From May 7, 2019 12:00 am

2019 Maine HR Convention, 2019 Employment Law Year-in-Review The Latest from Maine and Washington

From March 20, 2019 8:00 am

Dealing with Reasonable Accommodation: What to do when an Employee Needs or Requests an Accommodation

From December 5, 2018 8:00 am

Looking Back at 2018 and Looking Forward to 2019

From October 18, 2018 8:00 am

5th Annual Maine School Business Officials Seminar

From June 6, 2018 8:00 am

Violence in the Workplace: Handling Threats, Identifying Risks, and Recommended Policies

From March 14, 2018 12:00 pm

Employer Rights when Employees Speak Out: How to Handle Employee Speech and Association Issues Inside and Outside the Workplace

From September 12, 2017 12:00 am

FLSA Traps and Trials: Training, Tips and Travel

From September 7, 2017 12:00 am

Three Laws Employers Frequently Violate Without Knowing It

From September 6, 2017 12:00 pm

Three Laws Employers Frequently Violate Without Knowing It

From May 31, 2017 12:00 pm

Dealing with Disabilities in the Workplace

From May 10, 2017 12:00 pm

Getting Pay Right: Compliance and Fairness

From September 14, 2015 12:00 am

“Rocks and Shoals”: The Most Pressing Employment Issues Facing Housing Authorities Today