Tricia advises and represents businesses, educational institutions and non-profit organizations in a wide variety of employment-related matters. As part of her practice, she defends employers in state and federal courts, before administrative agencies and at alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Tricia has successfully handled disputes involving allegations of discrimination, breach of contract (including non-competition, non-solicitation and non-disclosure agreements), breach of fiduciary duty, interference with contracts and business relationships, theft of trade secrets, unfair competition, and violations of statutory and regulatory obligations.
Notable Experience
· Reached a favorable settlement, after three days second-chairing a jury trial at the U.S. District Court, on behalf of an educational institution in a case involving allegations of breach of contract and violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act.
· Obtained a dismissal of Chapter 93A and emotional distress claims from the Essex County Superior Court on behalf of a civic organization.
· Obtained a lack of probable cause finding from the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination on behalf of a hospital in a case involving allegations of gender discrimination.
· Part of a team that obtained a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court on behalf of a financial services company in a case involving allegations of unfair competition, interference with business relationships and theft of trade secrets.
· Represented the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in numerous evidentiary hearings and trials (both bench and jury) during a six-month rotation as a Special Assistant District Attorney with the Middlesex District Attorney's Office.
· Participated in legal clinics and represented clients on a pro bono basis before the Superior Court, Department of Transitional Assistance, Division of Unemployment Assistance and Office of Immigration Judge.
Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications
· "Court Compels Arbitration, Thwarting Employee's Attempt to Bring Class-Based, Pattern or Practice Gender Discrimination Claim," co-author, Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP Client Advisory, April 2012.
· "Task Force's 2011 Report Reveals Heightened Enforcement Efforts to Crackdown on FLSA and State Wage and Hour Violations," co-author, Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP Client Advisory, April 2012.
· "Is The DOJ Violating Cooperators' Rights?," co-author, Law360, April 7, 2011.
· "Second Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Indictments Against KPMG Employees," co-author, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Client Advisory, September 2008.
· "Picking the Wrong Fight: Legislation That Needs Bullying," co-author, Mealey's Litigation Report, June 2007 and Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge Labor & Employment Bulletin, Summer/Fall 2007.
News & Publications
April 2012, Client Advisory - Court Compels Arbitration, Thwarting Employee's Attempt to Bring Class-Based, Pattern or Practice Gender Discrimination Claim
April 2012, Client Advisory - Task Force's 2011 Report Reveals Heightened Enforcement Efforts to Crackdown on FLSA and State Wage and Hour Violations
April 7, 2011, In Law360, Stephen Huggard and Patricia Mullen Suggest that DOJ May Be Violating Cooperators' Rights
September 2008, Client Advisory - Second Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Indictments Against KPMG Employees
June 25, 2008, Attorneys recognized at EAPD's Second Annual Pro Bono Award Reception
September 17, 2007, Labor & Employment Bulletin - Summer/Fall 2007
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP
September 28, 2006, Veronica Abreu and Patricia Higgins Win Asylum for Cameroonian Refugee
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP
Before Edwards Wildman
While in law school, Tricia worked full-time as a Law Clerk in the Public Policy and Legislative Practice Group at Arnold & Porter LLP. She focused on matters involving state and federal campaign finance, lobbying and ethics laws.
Prior to law school, Tricia worked on Capitol Hill as a Legislative Assistant and District Representative for Thomas J. Bliley, Jr. (retired). She advised Rep. Bliley on legislative issues relating to health care, education and immigration.
Memberships
· Boston Bar Association