Beck Reed Riden LLP Attorneys Named Super Lawyers

Russell Beck, Stephen Riden, Nicole Daly, Bob Shea, Nicole Gage and Heather Krauss have been recognized as Super Lawyers by the 2025 issue of Massachusetts Super Lawyers Magazine.

Super Lawyers Magazine has selected Russell Beck as one of the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Massachusetts for 2025. This year, he was ranked number three in the state.

Stephen Riden was selected as one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Massachusetts.

This collective recognition serves as a testament to the firm’s exceptional legal talent and its dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for clients.

The title of Super Lawyer is given to 5% of the lawyers in the Commonwealth while the Rising Star designation recognizes 2.5% of lawyers under 40.  The Super Lawyers selection process is described in detail here.

Beck Reed Riden LLPis Boston’s innovative litigation boutique. Our lawyers have years of experience working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and individuals. We focus on business litigation and employment.

We are experienced litigators and counselors, helping our clients as business partners to resolve issues and develop strategies that best meet our clients’ legal and business needs – before, during, and after litigation. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you. Read more about us, the types of matters we handle, and what we can do for you here.

Beck Reed Riden LLP Attorneys Named to 2026 Best Lawyers in America List

Beck Reed Riden LLP is pleased to announce that five of its lawyers have been included in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® Edition of Best Lawyers

In addition, Russell Beck was named 2026 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in the Boston Area.

Russell Beck, Stephen Riden, Nicole Daly, Bob Shea, and Heather Krauss were named to the 2026 Best Lawyers in America list in the following categories:

  • Russell Beck (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2018)
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Employment Law – Management
    • Litigation – Labor and Employment
    • Trade Secrets Law
  • Nicole Daly (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020)
    • Employment Law – Management
    • Litigation – Labor and Employment
  • Stephen Riden (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Litigation – Labor and Employment
  • Robert M. Shea (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)
    • Arbitration
    • Employment Law – Management

In addition, Sarah Tishler was named to 2026 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Commercial Litigation. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America recognizes associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.

Best Lawyers accolades recognize the top legal talent in private practice throughout the United States. Only about 5% of practicing U.S. attorneys earn a Best Lawyer distinction.

Best Lawyers has published their list for more than 40 years. Its first international list was published in 2006 and since then has grown to provide lists in over 65 countries.

Lawyers on the Best Lawyers in America ® list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise, and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.

eck Reed Riden LLP is Boston’s innovative litigation boutique. Our lawyers have years of experience working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and individuals. We focus on business litigation and employment.

We are experienced litigators and counselors, helping our clients as business partners to resolve issues and develop strategies that best meet our clients’ legal and business needs – before, during, and after litigation. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you. Read more about us, the types of matters we handle, and what we can do for you here.

The Legal 500 Honors Russell Beck, Nicole Corvini Daly and Sarah Tishler

The Legal 500 United States named Russell Beck as a Hall Of Fame lawyer for trade secrets attorneys in the U.S. Nicole Corvini Daly was named a Next Generation Partner, and Sarah Tishler was recognized as a Leading Associate.

According to The Legal 500, its Hall of Fame recognizes “lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.”

Next Generation Partners are “[j]unior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.” Leading Associates have “regular involvement in their team’s key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.”

Russell Beck, Nicole Corvini Daly, and Sarah Tishler are the only attorneys from a small firm included on this list of national experts.

ccording to one testimonial from The Legal 500, “[t]hey track developments around the country as well as anyone and Russell is truly one of the thought leaders in this area. No one, and I mean no one, knows the area of noncompete and restrictive covenant law better than Russell.’”

Another testimonial notes “[g]reat teamwork among the attorneys. Russell Beck and Nicole Daly are a pleasure to work with.”

In addition, Beck Reed Riden LLP was recommended in the category of “Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters).”

The following is the independent editorial write up from The Legal 500 on the firm’s ranking:

Beck Reed Riden LLP is a Boston-based boutique with a nationwide trade secrets practice which is headed up by Russell Beck, noted as ‘preeminent in this area’. The team also has a specialist focus advising its clients on the parameters of restrictive covenants. Stephen Riden is a key member of the group with a noteworthy specialism in commercial litigation wherein he has experience representing both corporate and individual clients on the array of issues at both state and court level. Nicole Daly is another name to note in the team with expertise spanning employment, business disputes, trade secrets, restrictive covenants, and employee mobility, while senior counsel Sarah Tishler has strong capabilities handling big ticket matters for significant clients. The industry sectors the group’s workload … ranges from transportation to life sciences.

The Legal 500 US provides impartial, third-party opinions on leading lawyers and law firms across the country. The Legal 500 relies upon a sophisticated methodology to determine which firms and attorneys are included in its list.


eck Reed Riden LLP is among the leading authorities in trade secret, noncompete, and unfair competition law, and our experience handling these matters is backed by our extensive employment law and business litigation experience. Our hand-picked team combines attorneys with complementary expertise and practical experience.

The Wall Street Journal featured Beck Reed Riden LLP’s noncompete agreement experience. In 2016, the White House issued a report entitled, “Non-Compete Agreements: Analysis of the Usage, Potential Issues, and State Responses,” relying in part on Beck Reed Riden LLP’s research and analysis, including its 50 State Noncompete Survey.

Beck Reed Riden LLP is Boston’s innovative litigation boutique. Our lawyers have years of experience working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and individuals. We focus on business litigation and employment.

We are experienced litigators and counselors, helping our clients as business partners to resolve issues and develop strategies that best meet our clients’ legal and business needs – before, during, and after litigation. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you. Read more about us, the types of matters we handle, and what we can do for you here.

Beck Reed Riden LLP Attorneys Named Super Lawyers

Russell Beck, Stephen Riden, Nicole Daly, Bob Shea, and Nicole Gage have been recognized as Super Lawyers by the 2024 issue of Massachusetts Super Lawyers Magazine.

Super Lawyers Magazine has selected Russell Beck as one of the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Massachusetts for 2024. This year, he was ranked number three in the state.

Stephen Riden was selected as one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Massachusetts.

The title of Super Lawyer is given to 5% of the lawyers in the Commonwealth while the Rising Star designation recognizes 2.5% of lawyers under 40.  The Super Lawyers selection process is described in detail here.

Beck Reed Riden LLPis Boston’s innovative litigation boutique. Our lawyers have years of experience working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and individuals. We focus on business litigation and employment.

We are experienced litigators and counselors, helping our clients as business partners to resolve issues and develop strategies that best meet our clients’ legal and business needs – before, during, and after litigation. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you. Read more about us, the types of matters we handle, and what we can do for you here.

Beck Reed Riden LLP Attorneys Named to 2025 Best Lawyers in America List

Beck Reed Riden LLP is pleased to announce that four of its lawyers have been named to the 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers

Russell Beck, Stephen Riden, Nicole Daly, and Bob Shea were named to the 2025 Best Lawyers in America list in the following categories:

  • Russell Beck (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2018)
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Employment Law – Management
    • Litigation – Labor and Employment
    • Trade Secrets Law
  • Nicole Daly (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020)
    • Employment Law – Management
    • Litigation – Labor and Employment
  • Stephen Riden (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Litigation – Labor and Employment
  • Robert M. Shea (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)
    • Employment Law – Management

Best Lawyers accolades recognize the top legal talent in private practice throughout the United States.

Best Lawyers has published their list for more than 40 years. Its first international list was published in 2006 and since then has grown to provide lists in over 65 countries.

Lawyers on the Best Lawyers in America ® list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise, and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.

Beck Reed Riden LLP is Boston’s innovative litigation boutique. Our lawyers have years of experience working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and individuals. We focus on business litigation and employment.

We are experienced litigators and counselors, helping our clients as business partners to resolve issues and develop strategies that best meet our clients’ legal and business needs – before, during, and after litigation. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you. Read more about us, the types of matters we handle, and what we can do for you here.

Nicole Corvini Daly to Speak at HR Conference

Nicole Corvini Daly will be speaking at SHRM’s conference in Connecticut.

On Wednesday, May 15, from 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. ET, Nicole will be part of the “Stump an Employment Lawyer” panel at SHRM’s Tri-State Conference. The conference will be held from May 13-15 at Monheghan Sun in Connecticut. For more information and registration details, visit the conference website.

According to SHRM, this conference will be “the largest SHRM affiliate conference in New England with over 400 attendees, and 60+ exhibitors and business partners.”

The conference features world-renowned keynote speakers, two and one-half days of educational programming facilitated by industry experts and HR practitioners, and networking events.

Nicole’s panel is described as follows:

Get ready for a thought-provoking and interactive session at our conference, the “HR Stump an Employment Lawyer Panel.” This unique and dynamic session will put you in the driver’s seat, allowing you to challenge seasoned employment law attorneys with your most pressing HR-related questions and scenarios. Gain insights into navigating complex legal issues, compliance challenges, and best practices, all while sharpening your HR expertise in an engaging and empowering environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to test the knowledge of our legal experts and enhance your HR toolkit.

The panel also includes the following speakers:


Nicole Corvini Daly is a partner at Beck Reed Riden LLP. Her practice focuses on litigating and advising on the use and enforceability of noncompete, nonsolicitation, and nondisclosure agreements.

eck Reed Riden LLP is among the leading authorities in trade secret, noncompete, and unfair competition law, and our experience handling these matters is backed by our extensive employment law and business litigation experience. Our hand-picked team combines attorneys with complementary expertise and practical experience.

The Wall Street Journal featured Beck Reed Riden LLP’s noncompete agreement experience. In 2016, the White House issued a report entitled, “Non-Compete Agreements: Analysis of the Usage, Potential Issues, and State Responses,” relying in part on Beck Reed Riden LLP’s research and analysis, including its 50 State Noncompete Survey.

Beck Reed Riden LLP is Boston’s innovative litigation boutique. Our lawyers have years of experience working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and individuals. We focus on business litigation and employment.

We are experienced litigators and counselors, helping our clients as business partners to resolve issues and develop strategies that best meet our clients’ legal and business needs – before, during, and after litigation. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you. Read more about us, the types of matters we handle, and what we can do for you here.

Beck Reed Riden LLP Attorneys Named to 2024 Best Lawyers in America List

Beck Reed Riden LLP is pleased to announce that four of its lawyers have been named to the 2024 Edition of Best Lawyers. In addition, Russell Beck was named the 2024 Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year” in Employment Law – Management in Boston, and Trade Secrets Law in Boston.

Russell Beck, Stephen Riden, Nicole Daly, and Bob Shea were named to the 2024 Best Lawyers in America list in the following categories:

  • Russell Beck: Commercial Litigation, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment, and Trade Secrets Law
  • Steve Riden: Commercial Litigation, and Litigation – Labor and Employment
  • Nicole Daly: Employment Law – Management, and Litigation – Labor and Employment
  • Bob Shea: Employment Law – Management

Best Lawyers accolades recognize the top 5% of legal talent in private practice throughout the United States.

Best Lawyers has published their list for more than 40 years. Its first international list was published in 2006 and since then has grown to provide lists in over 65 countries.

Best Lawyers Award BadgeLawyers on the Best Lawyers in America ® list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise, and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing. For the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, more than 13.7 million votes were analyzed to identify the top legal talent, as identified by their peers.

Beck Reed Riden LLP is Boston’s innovative litigation boutique. Our lawyers have years of experience working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and individuals. We focus on business litigation and employment.

We are experienced litigators and counselors, helping our clients as business partners to resolve issues and develop strategies that best meet our clients’ legal and business needs – before, during, and after litigation. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you. Read more about us, the types of matters we handle, and what we can do for you here.

The Legal 500 Honors Russell Beck, Nicole Corvini Daly and Sarah Tishler

The Legal 500 United States 2023 named Russell Beck as a Hall Of Fame lawyer for trade secrets attorneys in the U.S. Nicole Corvini Daly was named a Next Generation Partner, and Sarah Tishler was recognized as a Rising Star.

According to the The Legal 500, its “Hall of Fame highlights individuals who have received constant praise from their clients for continued excellence. The Hall of Fame highlights, to clients, the law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession.”

Russell Beck, Nicole Corvini Daly, and Sarah Tishler are the only attorneys from a small firm included on this list of national experts.

According to one testimonial from The Legal 500, “Russell Beck and his team are incredibly effective, efficient and they get results.”

Another testimonial notes that “Nicole Daly is talented, on departing employee matters, Heather Krauss and Sara Tishler. They all provide extremely user-friendly advice.”

In addition, Beck Reed Riden LLP was recommended in the category of “Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters).”

The following is the independent editorial write up from The Legal 500 on the firm’s ranking:

The ‘incredibly effective’ Boston-based boutique Beck Reed Riden LLP, known for its ‘well-informed counseling and tenacious litigation’ is headed by Russell Beck, who is described as ‘one of, if not the most prominent thought leader in this area’. The firm focuses its practice on trade secret and non-compete work for its market-spanning client list, including such well-known companies as Staples, Inc. It has a particular specialism in counseling and litigating on misappropriation cases involving employee hire and departures. Co-founder of the firm and notable litigator Stephen Riden is a name to note, as is the ‘talented’ Nicole Daly. Senior counsel Sarah Tishler, who specialises in trade secrets, restrictive covenants, and employee mobility work joined the team in August 2022 from Williams Simons & Landis PLC.

The Legal 500 US provides impartial, third-party opinions on leading lawyers and law firms across the country. The Legal 500 relies upon a sophisticated methodology to determine which firms and attorneys are included in its list.


eck Reed Riden LLP is among the leading authorities in trade secret, noncompete, and unfair competition law, and our experience handling these matters is backed by our extensive employment law and business litigation experience. Our hand-picked team combines attorneys with complementary expertise and practical experience.

The Wall Street Journal featured Beck Reed Riden LLP’s noncompete agreement experience. In 2016, the White House issued a report entitled, “Non-Compete Agreements: Analysis of the Usage, Potential Issues, and State Responses,” relying in part on Beck Reed Riden LLP’s research and analysis, including its 50 State Noncompete Survey.

Beck Reed Riden LLP is Boston’s innovative litigation boutique. Our lawyers have years of experience working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and individuals. We focus on business litigation and employment.

We are experienced litigators and counselors, helping our clients as business partners to resolve issues and develop strategies that best meet our clients’ legal and business needs – before, during, and after litigation. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you. Read more about us, the types of matters we handle, and what we can do for you here.

Beck Reed Riden LLP Attorneys Named to 2023 Best Lawyers in America List

Beck Reed Riden LLP is pleased to announce that four of its lawyers have been named to the 2023 Edition of Best Lawyers, and one of its lawyers was included in Best Lawyers: Ones to WatchIn addition, Russell Beck was named the 2023 Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year” in Litigation – Labor and Employment in Boston, and Trade Secrets Law in Boston.

Russell Beck, Stephen Riden, Nicole Daly, and Bob Shea were named to the 2023 Best Lawyers in America list in the following categories:

  • Russell Beck, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment, and Trade Secrets Law
  • Steve RidenCommercial Litigation
  • Nicole DalyEmployment Law – Management, and Litigation – Labor and Employment
  • Bob Shea, Employment Law – Management

In addition, Jillian Carson was included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in the areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Labor and Employment.

Best Lawyers has published their list for over three decades. Its first international list was published in 2006 and since then has grown to provide lists in over 65 countries.

Best Lawyers Award BadgeLawyers on the Best Lawyers in America ® list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise, and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing. For the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, more than 12.2 million votes were analyzed to identify the top legal talent, as identified by their peers.

Beck Reed Riden LLP is Boston’s innovative litigation boutique. Our lawyers have years of experience working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and individuals. We focus on business litigation and employment.

We are experienced litigators and counselors, helping our clients as business partners to resolve issues and develop strategies that best meet our clients’ legal and business needs – before, during, and after litigation. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you. Read more about us, the types of matters we handle, and what we can do for you here.

Penalties for Delayed Payment to Involuntarily Terminated Employees

Massachusetts employers can be liable for treble wages and benefits for any delay in paying terminated employees their final pay. In Reuter v. City of Methuen, No. SJC-13121 (Mass. Apr. 4, 2022), the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (“SJC”) ruled that an employer who fails to make a final payment of earned wages and other benefits to an involuntarily terminated employee on their last day, as required by the Massachusetts Wage Act, must pay three times the amount of wages and benefits owed.

he ruling is a significant departure from how Massachusetts courts previously interpreted that requirement. Previously, relying on lower court rulings, many, if not most, Massachusetts employers believed that an employer making a late final payment would be on the hook for only three times the interest on the late-paid wages, not triple the wages and benefits. Many employers also believed they had a defense to treble damages if they paid the earned wages and benefits before the employee filed a complaint in court. The Reuter decision changes these long-held beliefs dramatically.

A three-week paycheck delay, then a lawsuit.

In Reuter, the city of Methuen terminated an employee after she was convicted of larceny in 2013. At the time she was fired, she had accrued $8,952.15 in unused vacation time. The city paid her that amount three weeks later. Then, one year later, the employee’s attorney sent a demand for $23,872.40: triple the amount of late vacation pay, plus attorneys’ fees, minus the amount already paid. In response, the city paid $185.42: triple the interest accrued at 12 percent for the three weeks the city delayed paying the accrued vacation pay.

The employee sued to recover triple the amount of late wages.

Court awards fired employee triple the amount of her late wages.

The trial judge held the employee was only entitled to treble the interest, accrued at 12 percent, for the three-week delay in receiving her vacation pay, plus attorneys’ fees. The defendant appealed the award of attorneys’ fees and the employee cross-appealed, again seeking triple the amount of late wages and benefits. The SJC transferred the appeal on its own motion.

The SJC ultimately remanded the case to the Superior Court, requiring the court to award the employee treble wages. On remand, the Superior Court must also award the employee’s attorneys’ fees.

The Reuter decision provides guidance to employers.

In reaching this decision, the SJC relied heavily on the rationale that a terminated employee lacks advance warning of the end of their employment. The legislature intended such employees to be paid in full on their last day to minimize disruption in their ability to maintain their standard of living.

The SJC recognized that its decision in Reuter puts employers in a challenging position when terminating an employee suddenly, such as for illegal or other misconduct, since the amount owed to them might not be readily apparent. In these instances, the SJC proposed that short-term suspension might be necessary instead of immediate termination: “[t]his may mean that employees who, like the plaintiff, have engaged in illegal or otherwise harmful conduct may have to be suspended rather than terminated for a short period of time until the employer can comply with § 148.”

Finally, note that the impact of this ruling also extends to employers’ final pay obligations for employees who voluntarily terminate their employment. In the case of voluntary terminations, the Massachusetts Wage Act requires that employees be paid their final pay no later than at the time of the employer’s next scheduled payroll. Employers who fail to pay those employees all owed wages by that time face potential damages for treble the amount of the final pay.

If you have any questions about the Massachusetts Wage Act, or need assistance with an employee termination or other workforce restructuring, Beck Reed Riden LLP’s employment attorneys are available to assist.

Beck Reed Riden LLP is Boston’s innovative litigation boutique. Our lawyers have years of experience working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and individuals. We focus on business litigation and employment.

We are experienced litigators and counselors, helping our clients as business partners to resolve issues and develop strategies that best meet our clients’ legal and business needs – before, during, and after litigation. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you. Read more about us, the types of matters we handle, and what we can do for you here.

 

 

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