Biography

Beth has litigated numerous employment and labor law matters in the course of her practice, primarily defending claims brought against Maine employers. She has handled cases at all stages of litigation before state and federal trial courts, state and federal administrative agencies, and the Maine Supreme Judicial Court sitting as the Law Court.

Beth has a particular depth of knowledge in workers' compensation law, including the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. Beth is a member of the National Workers' Compensation Defense Network (NWCDN), and an American Bar Association College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers Fellow. She also has particular skill in drafting and maintaining Affirmative Action plans and programs for employers in many fields.

Relevant Experience

  • Successfully defended a case brought by a home health nurse who fell in her own driveway yet sought workers' compensation benefits for her injuries
  • Successfully litigated, in conjunction with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC), the first case in Maine involving allegations of a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act with respect to mental health disability, among other employment-related claims; Beth obtained a settlement on behalf of a client in excess of $350,000
  • Assisted in the hearing and appeal process regarding a union driver against an employer
  • Assisted numerous clients in drafting and maintaining affirmative action plans, as well as provided training to supervisors and administrators of the plans
  • Authored articles in national publications on employment law issues and lectured on issues of employment law and litigation in a variety of forums

Services/Industries

Education

  • University of Maine School of Law  (J.D.)
  • Bowdoin College  (A.B., cum laude)

Bar Admissions

  • Maine
  • Massachusetts

Memberships

  • President, National Workers' Compensation Defense Network (2022-present)
  • Board of Governors, The College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers (2022-)
  • Chair, Trial and Insurance Practice Workers’ Compensation Committee, American Bar Association
  • Maine State and Cumberland Bar Associations
  • Executive Board, National Workers' Compensation Defense Network (2018-present)
  • Employer Co-chair, American Bar Association Workers' Compensation Standing Committee (2017-present)
  • Red Mass Committee, Co-chair, 2003-2005; Founding Member of Host Committee (1998-present)
  • Member, Women's Law Section and Employment Law Section of the Maine State Bar Association
  • Cumberland Bar Association (1992-1998, 2006-present)
  • Secretary, National Workers' Compensation Defense Network (NWCDN) (2019-2020)
  • Boston Bar Association (2007)
  • Fellow, American Bar Association College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers (2014-present)

Honors

  • AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Recognized in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business under Labor & Employment
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© under Workers' Compensation Law - Employers
  • Selected by peers for inclusion in New England Super Lawyers© under Workers' Compensation, Employment & Labor

To learn more about third-party ratings and rankings, and the selection processes used for inclusion, click here.

Court and Other Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Firm Highlights

Blog

HR Power Hour with Jen Serei

Blog

HR Power Hour with Alan Casavant

Publication/Podcast

December Annual Update: End of Year Tips for Employers: Compliance & Beyond

Blog

HR Power Hour with Melissa Denbow

Publication/Podcast

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Injury in the Workplace: Paths to Recovery in and Outside of Workers’ Compensation

Verrill counsel Elizabeth Connellan Smith recently co-authored “ Sexual Harassment And Sexual Assault Injury In The Workplace: Paths To Recovery In And Outside Of Workers’ Compensation ” for the American Bar Association Law Journal...

Blog

Nondisclosure Provisions in Maine: Are Your Agreements Compliant?

In late 2022, a new Maine law took effect restricting the use and reach of nondisclosure provisions in Maine employment agreements. The new law, Nondisclosure Agreements in Employment , 26 M.R.S. § 599-C, is...

Blog

What’s Next: How to Respond to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Current Policies Surrounding Confidentiality and Non-Disparagement Provisions

The Background: McLaren Macomb On February 21, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (“the Board”) decided McLaren Macomb , a case where a hospital offered severance pay to eleven permanently furloughed employees in exchange...

Blog

The Speak Out Act: Key Points You Need to Know

With 2023 underway, employers should be mindful of new federal legislation affecting key provisions in their employment agreements. On December 7, 2022, President Biden signed into law the “Speak Out Act,” which prohibits enforcement...

Blog

HR Power Hour with Douglas Currier

Blog

HR Power Hour with Sabine Gedeon

Contact Verrill at (855) 307 0700