Elizabeth T. Johnston

Liz helps clients navigate employment matters with practical, tailored guidance that keeps organizational goals at top of mind.

Liz takes a collaborative approach to advising employers with emphasis on understanding each client’s unique needs and values. Balancing her deep understanding of the evolving employment law landscape with an appreciation for the personal aspects of the employment relationship, Liz advises clients across a broad range of industries on workforce issues, including:

• harassment, discrimination, whistleblower, and retaliation claims;
• wage and hour compliance and DOL investigations;
• employee leave (FMLA, ADA, paid leave laws, workers’ compensation);
• reasonable accommodation and disability-related issues;
• hiring and termination practices;
• employee performance management;
• employment agreements and restrictive covenants;
• handbooks and personnel policies;
• diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• pay equity;
• employee/managerial trainings.

Liz also represents clients in state and federal employment litigation and before state administrative agencies.

Liz maintains a robust investigations practice. She conducts independent workplace investigations into employee complaints involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other forms of alleged misconduct, and she advises clients on investigation strategy, process, and documentation. Liz is trained through ATIXA in Title IX investigations and compliance and applies a trauma-informed, neutral, and thorough approach to every matter. Liz is also a frequent trainer, providing sessions for HR professionals, counsel, and institutional leaders on best practices for effective and legally sound investigations and other employment-related topics.

After law school, Liz served as a law clerk to the Honorable Andrew M. Mead of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. During law school, she served as a Bernstein Fellow at the Maine District Court and as a judicial extern to the Honorable Kermit Lipez of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Outside of work, Liz enjoys spending time with her family and exploring all Maine and New England have to offer.

Services/Industries

• Employment & Labor
• Workplace & Title IX Investigations
• Higher Education
• Food & Beverage

Education

• University of Maine School of Law (J.D., summa cum laude)
  • Technical Editor, Maine Law Review
  • Teaching Assistant, Legal Writing Department
  • Faculty Significant Achievement Award
  • Pro Bono Publico Award
• University of Maine (B.A., summa cum laude)
  • With Highest Honors

Public Service

• Board of Directors, University of Maine Alumni Association
• Former Board of Directors, Maine State Bar Association New Lawyers Section
  • Chair, Maine State Bar Association New Lawyers Section (2021)
• NLS Representative, Maine State Bar Association Board of Governors (2022)
• Former Member, Junior League of Portland, ME

Bar Admissions

• Maine
• Massachusetts

Court and Other Admissions

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

Memberships

• Maine Trial Lawyers Association
• Maine State Bar Association
• American Bar Association

Honors

• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch^® under Labor and Employment Law – Management in Portland, Maine
• Named to the New England Super Lawyers Rising Stars list under Employment & Labor

Learn more about the third-party ratings, rankings, and selection processes used for inclusion.

Clerkships

• Maine Supreme Judicial Court