Damaris Hernandez

/My focus

I represent clients in various phases of litigation, including conducting in-depth legal research in connection with drafting memoranda for issues related to complex commercial litigation, employment law, constitutional law, and property law.

During my first year as a practicing attorney, I was selected to participate in the 2023–24 Inaugural Rhode Island Bar Association Leadership Academy, a nine-month leadership-training program designed to foster professional growth and enhance the leadership skills of a diverse group of Rhode Island attorneys. While obtaining my JD from the Roger Williams University School of Law, I interned for the Honorable Mary S. McElroy of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

/Representative experience

• Litigation related to sex, race, age and national origin discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and employment-related restrictive covenants.
• Non-contentious matters relating to day-to-day business issues as well as workforce restructuring, and employment issues related to reclassification, reductions in force, asset sales, mergers, and acquisitions.
• Advice on the writing of policy handbooks for major corporations and HR training.

/Looking ahead

In the age of artificial intelligence, employers should be aware of legislation regarding automated employment decision tools to ensure use of these tools does not result in unlawful algorithmic discrimination. I look forward to helping clients navigate this and its potential impact for their organizations.

/Insights

• "Understanding the Massachusetts Pay Transparency Act," Nixon Peabody Labor & Employment Alert, November 18, 2024
• “Reverse Discrimination ‘Background Circumstances’ Test Causes Circuit Split,” Rhode Island Bar Journal, Rhode Island Bar Association, September/October 2024