Overview

Ilisa S. Clark is an experienced management-side advisor, negotiator and litigator who has been counseling clients and resolving complex employment disputes for over thirty years. Ilisa has extensive know-how on a wide range of employment matters and leverages her experience to provide pragmatic solutions to legal challenges facing healthcare institutions and corporations. As part of her counseling practice, Ilisa helps clients navigate through an array of state and federal statutory compliance requirements while minimizing risk, including the complex web of multistate leaves and challenging termination scenarios. Ilisa has negotiated dozens of executive employment agreements and separation agreements. Ilisa has particular skill working with clients to plan for and execute corporate reorganizations and reductions in force. She was on the front line of the firm’s response to COVID-19, advising clients through cutting-edge issues (e.g., furloughs, mandated vaccines and managing a remote workforce).

When called upon to litigate, Ilisa is a zealous and strategic advocate who has successfully defended clients against hundreds of claims alleging discrimination, harassment, statutory whistleblowing, and breach of contract. Clients recognize her as a team player and effective team leader. 

Drawing upon her breadth of experience, Ilisa has served as an independent investigator in dozens of high-stakes matters involving allegations of sexual misconduct, disability discrimination, age discrimination and statutory whistleblowing.  She has also been engaged as a consultant to conduct culture assessments for clients that are concerned about potentially systemic issues impacting their workforce, and to conduct union vulnerability assessments. 

On matters of compliance, Ilisa also works with clients to develop policies and present trainings on a broad range of issues including sexual and other unlawful harassment, managing leaves of absence and paid time off, reasonable accommodation, performance management and documentation, and union avoidance. 

Ilisa has been with Littler for over 15 years. Prior to joining Littler, she worked as in-house labor and employment counsel and in private practice.

Speaking Engagements

2020 Virtual New England Employer

November 5, 2020

Worst Case Scenarios - How to Deal With the Most Difficult Workplace Situations

Boston, MA

April 9, 2020

The Economic Downturn is Coming: Are You Prepared?

Boston, MA

December 10, 2019

Education

  • J.D., Boston College Law School, 1991
  • B.B.A., University of Massachusetts, 1984summa cum laude

Bar Admission

Massachusetts

Courts

  • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts