Attorney Profile:
Attorney Howayeck’s civil practice encompasses various employment-related services for employers, including, the defense of employment discrimination and wrongful termination claims, creation of employment policies, drafting employee handbooks, hiring and firing practices, obligations under state and federal employment laws and regulations such as the Family Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, drafting and enforcement of employee non-compete agreements, labor negotiations, unemployment and other various areas.
Attorney Howayeck has extensive experience in representing both employers and employees before federal and state courts, and administrative agencies such as the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Civil Service Commission, the Industrial Accidents Board, the Division of Unemployment Assistance, Board of Conciliation and the Massachusetts Beverages Control Commission. He earned his undergraduate degree (cum laude) from The University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, and his law degree from New England Law, during which he completed an internship in the litigation department of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. In 2004 and again in 2008 Attorney Howayeck received special certification from the MCAD in its Massachusetts Discrimination Prevention Training Program.
Attorney Howayeck is admitted to practice in both the state and federal courts in Massachusetts as well as the First Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a frequent speaker on employment law issues, and has given employer training in the areas of sexual harassment, unemployment issues, hiring and firing practices, employer documentation, selecting the proper business entity, how to draft an employee handbook, and discrimination prevention at various businesses, the Charlton Wellness Center, and on behalf of groups such the Fall River Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Development Center and the National Business Institute. Beginning in 1998, in addition to his personal practice, Attorney Howayeck served as Special Assistant Corporation Counsel to the City of Fall River. Since 2008, he has been the city’s Assistant Corporation Counsel, where he represents the City of Fall River against worker’s compensation and discrimination claims, union negotiations, arbitrations, and a multitude of municipal issues. He also defends the City against civil rights violations, and claims for personal injury. Attorney Howayeck has been a member of the Massachusetts bar since 1995, and the U.S. District Court since 1996. He is also a member of the Fall River Bar Association and the Bristol County Bar Association.
Attorney Howayeck’s publications on law-related matters have appeared in the Fall River Herald News, the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce Newsletter and National Business Institute. He currently serves as the ADA coordinator for the City of Fall River, and is a member of the Fall River Disability Commission, Treasurer of the Fall River Tennis & Education Foundation, Inc. Treasurer of the Fall River Community Tennis Association, Inc., Treasurer and Past President of Fetherdic Tennis Association, Inc., Varsity Tennis Coach for Bishop Connolly High School, Past Director of the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce, the Past Chairman of the Board of People, Incorporated, an Advisory Board Member of Child & Family Services, Inc., and Past President of the Durfee Alumni Association.
Education
B.A., cum laude, Marketing, 1990 University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
J.D., 1995 New England School of Law