Kara Johnson

Kara J. Johnson

Associate

Kara Johnson counsels employers on a range of matters related to compliance with employment laws. Her clients include small businesses, larger corporations, and non-profit and for-profit organizations. Kara’s focus includes reviewing and drafting employment policies and conducting internal investigations. In addition, Kara’s experience includes appearing before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Whistleblower Division, and Massachusetts state and federal courts.

Kara is a co-author of a chapter on Resolving Sexual Harassment Complaints, published by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, and she co-wrote a law review article on medical marijuana in the workplace for the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Employment Law Section Review.

Kara is committed to serving the community with her legal skills. She assists several non-profits by providing pro bono legal services and has been a member of the Board of Directors at Fidelity House Human Services in Lawrence, Massachusetts for 8 years.

Before joining Spruce Law LLC, Kara was an associate at Dalton & Finegold, LLP where she practiced both employment and real estate law. Before becoming a lawyer, Kara worked in the victim services field for many years, including with the Children’s Advocacy Center at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and as the Chief of Staff at the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance.

• Counsels employers on various employment matters, including compliance with federal and state laws regarding wage and hour compliance, employee classification, discrimination, reasonable accommodations, and leaves of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Massachusetts Sick Leave Law, and the Massachusetts Parental Leave Law
• Represents employers in defending complaints filed with state and federal human rights and anti-discrimination agencies, such as the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and state and federal courts
• Conducts investigations into allegations of retaliation, harassment, and discrimination
• Negotiate resolutions to employment disputes
• Drafts and reviews personnel policies, handbooks, severance agreements, and other employment agreements