Michelle De Oliveira represents businesses in all aspects of employment-related matters.

A significant aspect of Michelle’s practice is devoted to providing businesses and human resources professionals with day-to-day employment law counsel and advice on issues such as, wage and hour, hiring practices, employee discipline, employee terminations, leaves of absence, allegations of discrimination or harassment, and reasonable accommodation requests. 

Her practice also includes drafting and reviewing employee handbooks and policies, and conducting internal investigations in response to discrimination, harassment, or other employee misconduct allegations. Given Michelle’s keen eye for compliance and breadth of experience working with businesses to mitigate potential litigation-related risks when addressing personnel matters, Michelle often conducts trainings on issues such as discrimination and harassment prevention, as well as best management practices.  

Michelle advises clients, both employers and individuals, on employment agreements, including without limitation, restrictive covenants, and separation agreements, along with confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. 

Though always poised to resolve matters outside of court, Michelle represents clients in litigation before state and federal courts, administrative agencies such as the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, and any other applicable forum. Michelle’s practice also entails representing clients in mediation.  

Michelle also maintains a general litigation practice, representing clients in commercial litigation matters. Business professionals appreciate Michelle’s analytical approach to understanding the facets to their business disputes. 

A regular presenter at seminars and training sessions, Michelle also frequently publishes articles on an array of employment-related topics, has co-authored a chapter for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education on Massachusetts’ independent contractor statute, and has been frequently quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly publications. She edited and updated the Massachusetts Employment Law Manual on pregnancy discrimination and served as assistant editor for the legal update series for the Benefits Quarterly, a national journal for health and retirement benefits.

Michelle served as Chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Section Council. She has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® and has been selected for inclusion in the Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Stars list each year from 2017 to 2022.