Overview

Grace McGuire has a broad range of experience advising and defending clients in commercial and employment matters. She appears frequently in both federal and state court in Colorado and before numerous government agencies. In addition to her wide knowledge relating to employment issues, Grace has extensive experience in managing disputes that arise out of mergers and acquisitions, particularly in the post-closing period regarding indemnification claims, employee transitions, and employee equity grants.    

Grace’s practice also focuses on consulting with a wide range of emplo​yers on pay equity issues, with focus on Colorado’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

After graduating from Harvard Law School, Grace practiced commercial and general civil litigation in Boston, Massachusetts and Anchorage, Alaska before joining Littler as an associate to focus on employment matters. She then worked in-house with a professional shareholder representative organization, advising sellers in merger transactions on management of post-closing transaction disputes. She rejoined Littler as special counsel to leverage her skills in service of Littler’s broad corporate client base and Colorado’s growing community of entrepreneurs.

Selected Matters

  • Filed lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Part 2 of Colorado’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act as unduly burdensome on interstate labor market because of compliance costs for employers
  • Advised large multistate national employers on compliance with compensation/benefits and promotion posting requirements under Part2 of Colorado’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act
  • Won summary judgment for manufacturing company on claims of former employees claiming they had been wrongfully discharged without just cause in contravention of their union agreement, and in violation of Title VII, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
  • Won summary judgment for government contractor on claims of former employee claiming she had been wrongfully discharged for being perceived as disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho
  • Won private arbitration for wrongful termination based on Colorado’s lawful off-duty conduct statute, resulting in full defense verdict and order for payment of client fees incurred to compel arbitration based on arbitration agreement
  • Successfully defended many charges of discrimination in state and federal agencies, guiding clients through the process from initial agency response to no-cause findings
  • Led multiple mediations, settlement conferences, and informal settlement negotiations in order to efficiently resolve disputes on favorable terms for her clients
  • Drafted handbooks and policies to comply with new Colorado employment statutes, including implementation of new paid sick and safe time and public health emergency leave requirements

Speaking Engagements

Returning to Work When Workers Have Wandered: Post-COVID Compliance Concerns for Colorado Employers

Denver, CO

July 7, 2021

Compliance Coffee Talk: Colorado's New Equal Pay Transparency Job Posting and Internal Promotion Notice Requirements

Denver, CO

March 3, 2021

Federal Employment Law Update

2019 Rocky Mountain Employer Conference Denver, CO

October 4, 2019

Education

  • J.D., Harvard Law School, 2012
  • B.A., Stanford University, 2008with honors

Bar Admission

Colorado
Massachusetts
Alaska

Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court, District of Alaska
  • Massachusetts Supreme Court
  • Colorado Supreme Court
  • Alaska Supreme Court