Hinna Upal

Hinna Upal provides practical solutions and strategic guidance to multinational employers on a wide range of international employment and compliance concerns and in litigation. Her competencies cover a range of workplace topics, such as discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and accommodations at the state and federal levels and before administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the New York State Division of Human Rights. Hinna also conducts discrimination and hostile work environment investigations, and assists clients with ethics issues and performance management. She also guides employers on the intricacies associated with employment in multiple nations and the difficulties associated with conflicting jurisdictional obligations including in such areas as:

• Workplace ethics and compliance
• Multi-country and international surveys on employment laws and practices
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Global codes of conduct and international policies
• Discrimination and harassment
• Human resources and conducting investigations
• The employment cycle including applications, interviewing, hiring, discipline, promotions, demotions, recordkeeping and terminations

Hinna’s recent litigation accomplishments include the following:

• Secured a significant victory for a Fortune 500 telecom company by winning a Motion for Summary Judgment on all counts in a single plaintiff discrimination matter
• Successfully moved for monetary sanctions on behalf of a national retailer in a contentious discovery battle involving discrimination claims under the ADEA with class allegations

Before joining Littler, Hinna was the deputy general counsel at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She also served as a law clerk to the Hon. William E. Smith, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, and Justice Francis X. Flaherty, Rhode Island Supreme Court.