Thiel, Craig Van

Marc is a partner in the firm's Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Group. He concentrates his practice in the representation of municipalities, public school districts and other public entities as well as private employers in traditional labor law. He has been the lead negotiator for numerous collective bargaining negotiations. He has defended clients in labor arbitrations and against unfair labor practice changes, and has handled numerous representation proceedings.

Marc advises clients in a wide range of labor and employment-related issues, such as investigating employee misconduct; imposing employee discipline; negotiating employment; separation and non-compete agreements; drafting employee policies; managing employees with medical conditions under the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act; conducting reductions-in-force and complying with wage and hour law. Marc also advises public school districts regarding school policy, student discipline, student rights, the budget process and other education-related issues.

Marc defends clients against allegations of sexual harassment, employment discrimination, wrongful termination, wage and hour violations and Family and Medical Leave Act violations. Marc regularly represents clients before the Division of Labor Relations, the American Arbitration Association, the Civil Service Commission, the National Labor Relations Board and the state and Federal courts.

In 2008, Marc was selected by the Worcester Business Journal as one of "40 under Forty" professionals honored for their professional excellence and community service. 

Representative Matters

• Successfully defended employer in grievance arbitration regarding the termination of employee for misconduct
• Successfully defended employer in termination of police officer for abuse of authority, fraud and extortion before Civil Service Commission
• Negotiated significant health insurance cost containment measures for numerous public unionized employers
• Negotiated drug and alcohol testing policy for police officers on behalf of municipality
• Represented a transportation company in obtaining injunctive relief against union for unlawfully withholding services resulting in a favorable resolution of labor dispute
• Represented numerous clients in wage and hour investigations by Attorney General's Office
• Obtained favorable settlement for chemical manufacturer in wrongful termination claim based on allegation of national origin and race discrimination
• Obtained injunctive relief for biotechnology firm against employee for breach of non-compete and non-solicitation agreement
• Represented a temporary staffing agency in contesting Fair Share Contribution Assessment under the Health Care Reform Act