Heather Rider Hammond

hhammond@gravelshea.com

Heather Rider Hammond joined Gravel & Shea as an associate in 2001 after graduating from Vermont Law School. While she has substantial experience litigating across a broad spectrum of practice areas, she frequently represents the firm’s corporate clients in all aspects of the employment relationship. Her services range from the defense of employment-related claims in legal and administrative proceedings to counseling management on compliance issues and best practices. Additionally, Heather speaks frequently on a wide variety of employment topics to various employer groups, including on-site management and supervisory training for the firm’s clients.

Education

• Vermont Law School, J.D. 2001, summa cum laude
  • Senior Head Notes Editor, Vermont Law Review
• Middlebury College, B.A. 1993, cum laude

Honors

• Named 2021 Burlington Lawyer of the Year for Litigation – Labor & Employment in The Best Lawyers in America©
• Named 2018 Burlington Lawyer of the Year for Employment Law – Management in The Best Lawyers in America©
• Named 2017 Burlington Lawyer of the Year for Litigation – Labor and Employment in The Best Lawyers in America©
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© since 2014
• Listed in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business since 2016
• Listed in New England Super Lawyers

Memberships & Affiliations

• Member, Chittenden County, Vermont and American Bar Associations

Publications

• Vermont Passes Important New Law Expanding Rights for Pregnant Employees, Client Bulletin (2017)
• President Obama Signs Defend Trade Secrets Act, With Immediate Effect on Confidentiality and Other Types of Non-Disclosure Agreements, Client Bulletin (2016)
• Vermont Legislature Passes Paid Sick Leave Bill, Client Bulletin (2016)
• Department of Labor Issues Final Rule on Overtime Salary Threshold, Client Bulletin (2016)
• Vermont Legislature Passes Legislation Prohibiting Employers From Requiring Disclosure of Job Applicants’ Criminal History, Client Bulletin (2016)
• Department of Labor Proposed Rule to Raise Overtime Salary Threshold, Client Bulletin (2015)
• Department of Labor Releases Final Rules on Affirmative Action for Veterans and Individuals With Disabilities, Client Bulletin (2013)
• U.S. Department of Labor: Employers Must Notify Employees of Health Insurance Exchange on or before October 1, 2013, Client Bulletin (2013)
• Vermont’s Equal Pay Law Enacts New Workplace Requirements for Employers, Client Bulletin (2013)
• Changes to FMLA Military Leave Regulations, Client Bulletin (2013)
• Vermont Supreme Court Finds That Employees Do Not Accrue Time Off During Parental and Family Leave, Client Bulletin (July 2012)
• News from the 2011-2012 Vermont Legislative Session: Important Changes and Opportunities for Employers, Client Bulletin (June 2012)

Presentations

• Labor & Employment Law: Workforce Development in Vermont, Vermont Bar Association Annual Meeting (September 2018)
• Human Resources Seminar, Associated Industries of Vermont (January 2016)
• Employment Law 2015 Comprehensive Guide; Managing Employees’ Leaves of Absence, Monitoring Employees and Privacy Issues and Employer Risks, National Business Institute (April 2015)
• Hot Topics in Employment Law, Sterling Education Services, Inc. (January 2014)
• Recruitment and Retention, Lorman Seminar (July 2013)

Selected Reported Cases

• State v. Whitney, 885 A.2d 1202 (2005)
• Mann v. Levin, 177 Vt. 261, 861 A.2d 1138 (2004)
• Bergeron v. Boyle, 176 Vt. 78, 838 A.2d 918 (2003)

Bar Admissions

• Vermont (2001)
• U.S. District Court, District of Vermont (2001)