Overview

Jillian Folger-Hartwell’s practice focuses exclusively on representing management and litigating and advising on labor and employment law matters. Jillian devotes a substantial portion of her practice to compliance, especially as it relates to managing leaves of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act, disability issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and compliance with other similar state laws. Jillian represents unionized employers, negotiating collective bargaining agreements and defending employers in labor arbitrations. 

Jillian has extensive experience representing employers in the healthcare, higher education and hospitality industry settings. Jillian also defends employers against discrimination claims based on race, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability and other protected classes, including matters related to:

  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act
  • The Age Discrimination in Employment Act
  • The Rhode Island Fair Employment Practices Act
  • Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 151(b)

Jillian’s litigation experience extends to claims for violations of noncompetition and confidentiality agreements, misappropriation of trade secrets, and unfair competition claims.  

Jillian routinely conducts in-house training on employment-related topics, including anti-harassment and #metoo training seminars.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

Government Affairs Committee

Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce

Former Vice President, Board of Directors

Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence

News, Analysis & Press

Supreme Court Adopts 'Arm’s-Length' Standard for Assessing Adviser Compensation Claims under the Investment Company Act of 1940

Bender’s Labor & Employment Bulletin

p. 242, Vol. 10, Issue No. 6

June 2010

Veto Override Puts Employers at Risk

Providence Business News

March 1, 2010

The Rhode Island General Assembly Amends the Rhode Island Civil Rights Act

Employment Law Alert

January 7, 2010

The Second Circuit Clarifies and Sanctions the Application of the Fractional Rule for Minimum Benefit Accrual to Cash Balance Pension Plans

Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin

p. 581, Vol. 9, Issue No. 12

December 2009

The United States Supreme Court Makes it Harder to Prove Age Discrimination

Employment Law Alert

June 23, 2009

Rhode Island Military Family Relief Act Imposes New Leave Requirements on Large and Small Businesses

Providence Business News

August 25, 2008

Plan Participant Can Sue Under ERISA for Losses to Assets in a 401k Account

Employment Law Alert

March 6, 2008

Speaking Engagements

2024 Rhode Island Employment Update

Providence, RI

January 25, 2024

2023 New England Regional Employer Conference

Boston, MA

November 14, 2023

How to Bring Rhode Island Employee Handbooks into Compliance

National Business Institute

April 6, 2023

2022 New England Regional Employer Conference

Boston, MA

November 15, 2022

2021 New England Virtual Employer Conference

November 9, 2021

Managing the Complexities of Paid Sick and Family Leave Laws – What We’ve Learned So Far and What We Expect Going Forward

2021 Tri-State SHRM Virtual Event

April 28, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccinations: To Mandate or Not to Mandate and Other Pressing Questions

Providence, RI

April 8, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccines: What Employers Need to Know

Rhode Island SHRM

March 16, 2021

Is the East Coast the New West Coast When It Comes to Employment Laws?

Tri-State SHRM Conference

August 10, 2020

The Rhode to Recovery

April 22, 2020

COVID-19 - Guidance for HR Professionals

Rhode Island SHRM Webinar

March 26, 2020

Coveting Covenants: A Deep Dive into Noncompetes – Their Risks and Rewards

2019 New England Employer Conference, Newton, MA

September 27, 2019

2019 Rhode Island Employment Update

Providence, RI

May 21, 2019

2018 Rhode Island Employment Law

Providence, RI

May 15, 2018

On the Rhode Again: Paid Sick Leave Drought Ends with New Rhode Island Law

October 30, 2017

Rhode Island Employment Law Update

Providence, RI

May 2, 2017

Employment Law: 2015 Comprehensive Guide

National Business Institute, Providence, RI

October 21, 2015

DOL’s Proposed Changes to the White Collar Regulations: What Should Employers Do Now??

Providence, RI

September 15, 2015

Hiring and Terminating Employees in the Current Economy

Sterling Education Services, Providence, RI

June 3, 2015

ADA and FMLA Updates and Interplay

Sterling Education Services, Providence, RI

June 3, 2015

Workplace Injuries: HR Strategies to Avoid the Top Mistake

National Business Institute (NBI) Webinar

June 4, 2014

Rhode Island Employment Law Update

Providence, RI

May 22, 2014

Legislative Update

Association for Healthcare Human Resources Administration of RI (AHHRARI), Providence, RI

November 21, 2013

Employee Documentation, Discipline & Discharge

February 13, 2013

Human Resource Law: What You Need to Know

National Business Institute Seminar, Providence, RI

December 7, 2011

New Rules Implementing the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act

CLE Presentation

February 2011

Whistleblower Claims

Labor and Employment Law Conference - University of Rhode Island

May 7, 2010

Workplace Investigations in the Age of Technology

CLE Presentation

April 2010

Employment and Labor Update: Recent State and Federal Legislative and Judicial Developments

CLE Presentation

April 2010

Litigating ERISA Claims

National Business Institute Symposium

June 2009

COBRA Changes Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

CLE Presentation

March 2009

Advising Your Client on Lawful Termination Procedures

National Business Institute Symposium

January 2008

Education

  • J.D., Boston College Law School, 2003cum laude
  • B.A., Stonehill College, 1994magna cum laude

Bar Admission

Rhode Island
Massachusetts

Courts

  • U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
  • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
  • Rhode Island State Court
  • Massachusetts State Court