Chelsie A. Vokes

Employment 

• Assists clients in creating legally compliant accommodations processes, including return to work procedures
• Conducts climate surveys and investigations involving harassment or discrimination based on all protected categories, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, and/or disability
• Represents employers in federal and state courts in matters involving equal employment and wage & hour claims (class and collective action); represents employers in claims for discrimination, harassment, or retaliation filed with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Drafts employee handbooks and independent policies and procedures, including pregnancy, leave & accommodations, leave laws, wage & hour policies, and disciplinary processes
• Provides training on harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and retaliation, ensuring compliance with reporting obligations of employees

 Higher Education 

• Conducts civil rights investigations into claims against students, staff, and faculty members, including investigations on Title IX matters and matters involving non-Title IX sexual misconduct
• Serves as hearing chair in civil rights matters
• Drafts student and faculty handbooks, as well as policies and procedures addressing sexual and gender-based harassment; drafts employee and student conduct policies, including “ethical relationships” policies governing romantic or sexual interactions between university employees, or between employees and students, and policies regarding use of service and emotional support animals on campus
• Counsels clients and drafts policies and procedures on compliance with civil rights laws and policies, including Title IX and the Massachusetts Campus Sexual Violence Act
• Provides Title IX, VAWA, and Massachusetts-compliant training on harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and retaliation, and ensuring reporting obligations of employees
• Successfully obtained summary judgment in favor of a Massachusetts college that was sued by a former student for violation of Title IX and negligence. The student had reported sexual assault by another student on campus and sued the college after a hearing board was unable to conclude, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a sexual assault occurred. In dismissing the student-plaintiff’s claims, the federal court adopted the factual and legal arguments detailed in our briefs and at oral argument, and held that the college could not be liable under any theory since it quickly responded to plaintiff’s report, issued a no contact order, gathered statements from plaintiff and multiple witnesses, notified her of her rights, provided her with resources and accommodations, afforded her the opportunity to present evidence and ask questions during the hearing, and otherwise took action to swiftly remedy the situation.