The Law Office of Jill Havens11 Green StreetJamaica Plain, MA, 02130United States (617) 870-3737 (617) 224-9529

Jill Havens

Avvo Rating9.1

Jamaica Plain, MA
Licensed for 12 years

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About Jill

I represent only Workers - never Employers!

I have been fighting for workers’ rights for over 20 years. I have worked as a union organizer, and employee advocate and an attorney. I know how workers are treated in this country and I know that it is no simple task to secure basic rights. Employees have always had to fight for their rights for fair treatment.

I formerly worked as a staff attorney at the Massachusetts Unemployment appeals board (the Board of Review). I reviewed hundreds of cases and know many of the ins and outs and technicalities that make a difference between winning and losing an Unemployment Appeal.

Practice areas

Employee benefits: 25%
Unemployment hearings and appeals
10 years, 55 cases
Employment and labor: 25%
I practice Employee Justice Law. I do employment and labor law - on the plaintiff's side only. I handle Unemployment cases, Discrimination, MCAD complaints, Wage and Hour claims, Overtime and Minimum Wage issues, employee and union contract negotiations, and wrongful terminations.
10 years, 35 cases
Discrimination: 20%
10 years, 33 cases
Sexual harassment: 15%
10 years, 13 cases
Wrongful termination: 15%
10 years, 27 cases

Languages spoken

English

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Contact

The Law Office of Jill Havens

11 Green Street
Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130

Message

Resume

License

State	Status	Acquired	Updated
MA	Active	2009	02/22/2022

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Avvo Contributions

Legal answers	31
Legal guides	0

Awards

Award name	Grantor	Date Granted
Rising Star	SuperLawyers	2019
Super Lawyer - Rising Star	Super Lawyers	2018

work experience

Title	Company name	Duration
Principal Attorney	Law Office of Jill Havens	2012 - Present
Review Examiner/Staff Attorney	Mass Department of Unemployment Board of Review	2011 - 2012
Business Agent	SEIU Local 1199	2009 - 2011

associations

Association name	Position name	Duration
Massachusetts Employment Lawyers Association	Executive Board Member	2012 - Present
National Lawyers Guild		2007 - 2016

education

School name	Degree	Graduated
Northeastern University School of Law	JD - Juris Doctor	2009
Randolph-Macon Woman's College	BA - Bachelor of Arts	1989
University of Massachusetts, Amherst	MA/Ph.D. course work	N/A

speaking engagements

Conference name	Title	Date
Advising Employers & Employees on Off-Duty Conduct & Privacy in the Workplace	Employment Decisions Based on Employee Use of Social Media, In and Out of the Workplace	2020
"1st Look" at Handling COVID-19–Related Leaves, Layoffs & Unemployment	Unemployment Benefits, Regular and Enhanced under the CARES Act	2020

legal cases

Case name	Outcome
Debra Davidowicz v. 4M Fruit Distributors Inc.	$888,036 jury verdict in favor Plaintiff, Debra Davidowicz

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Reviews

5.0 stars5.0 (80)

5 Star		98%
4 Star		1%
3 Star		0%
2 Star		1%
1 Star		0%

Review Jill Havens

Definitely the right person to work with!

5.0 stars

Posted by anonymous
May 21, 2022

I got a chance to work with Mrs. Havens on my unemployment case. She is definitely the right person to work with. She has a very good knowledge of the law and most importantly proactive Thank you Mrs. Havens!

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Consulted attorney

Client

5.0 stars

Posted by Karen
April 3, 2022

Attorney Havens' office was very prompt and responsive to my case. Her office staff is very friendly, helpful, professional, and conscientious. Attorney Havens truly listened to my situation, which was complicated, and explained how to approach my case in a strategic way. She was patient, but straightforward. She helped me "think through" how the appeals committee might respond, and how to adjust my responses. She was reasonable in her charges, respectful of my situation, and definitely guided the positive outcome of my case. I would highly recommend her legal services without any reservations whatsoever!

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Hired attorney

Great counsel for PUA situation

5.0 stars

Posted by Skooby
March 12, 2022

I sought Jill's counsel because I needed to substantiate my employment with the MA DUA for pandemic unemployment benefits that I had received last year. Jill explained the process to me in clear detail and what I should and should not present on the day of my hearing. Everything worked out and I was able to substantiate my employment with the DUA. Thank you, Jill!

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Hired attorney

You won't find anyone better.

5.0 stars

Posted by Janet
March 4, 2022

I have a legal background, but not in the area of unemployment law, so I did some research to find someone who did. Jill was hands down my first choice because she had first hand experience not only in the area of law I needed, but also directly working with the specific governmental body that deals with unemployment benefits. Both she, and her assistant, Louise, run an efficient and professional practice. They call you back promptly and answer your questions fully. Jill thoroughly reviewed all my correspondence, and listened to my concerns. She suggested strategies that ultimately won my case. I was extremely happy, not only to have her guidance prior to my hearing, but also during my hearing. I could not be more pleased with Jill, nor the outcome of my case.

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Hired attorney

Extremely responsive and helpful

5.0 stars

Posted by anonymous
March 2, 2022

I contacted Jill with an urgent issue related to state employment benefits, and her office responded promptly. She was informative and reassuring, and guided me through a complex and overwhelming process. With her help, I was able to resolve my issue.

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Consulted attorney

Employment/Unemployment Expert

5.0 stars

Posted by Mike
February 27, 2022

I was caught up in a frustrating PUA benefit dispute for over a year. I needed assistance from a lawyer with specific employment law expertise. I found Attorney Jill Havens through her website online. Jill is an excellent employment and labor attorney who is the reason I was successful in resolving my dispute. She is extremely knowledgeable of the state unemployment system, its processes and the governing laws. She clearly spelled out the relevant employment law to me, my potential legal remedies and her recommended best outcome approach for me to take. Jill's direct and concise counsel enabled me to successfully appeal and reverse two separate prior determinations against me. I appreciated her candor and straightforwardness. As important was her positive feedback, confidence and optimism for the likelihood of a favorable outcome. I highly recommend Jill Havens as the only one to go to for employment and labor law matters.

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Hired attorney

Senior Counsel

5.0 stars

Posted by Miguel
February 25, 2022

I had an unemployment insurance issue and a good friend of mine who is also a great labor lawyer here in MA, advised me to contact Jill Havens as the expert in employee benefits and unemployment matters. That was the best referral my friend could have ever given me. My experience working with Jill was beyond expectations. She is a great lawyer and has the ability to understand her client's needs and concerns, and also provides the best legal advice that is appropriate to the case. She is fully committed to her clients. Her thorough legal analysis and expertise were critical for me to win the case. If someone needs a good employment lawyer, Jill is the right lawyer to go to.

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Hired attorney

Excellent Listener and Creative Problem Solver

5.0 stars

Posted by Diana
January 31, 2022

I was having a hard time finding a lawyer to even setup a consultation with me for an issue with the DUA; I was in a grey-area where I didn't need someone on retainer but I desperately needed advice. Everyone was too busy with other unemployment cases (there's been a spike lately) or were uninterested in talking until I had a hearing scheduled. Jill fit in a meeting quickly because she knew I was on the clock. She listened carefully and was "real" with me when she felt something would work or not work. She asked enough questions that she realized perhaps my case didn't need a lawyer at all but rather the help of my local state representative. Within a few days, I had my situation resolved (big thanks to my state rep, too). I am utterly grateful that Jill pointed me in this direction even if it meant not getting more work from me on an appeal case. I think her advice shows creative problem solving and a real concern about the client, not just gaining work. I hope it isn't necessary, but I'll definitely be returning to Jill if I ever have another issue with employment related issues.

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Consulted attorney

PUA APPEAL

5.0 stars

Posted by anonymous
January 4, 2022

Jill Havens is an amazing lawyer! She helped me every step of the way with my appeal process. She is very professional, and knowledgeable about the whole process and I would without hesitation recommend her to anyone!

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Hired attorney

Client

5.0 stars

Posted by Rebecca
January 4, 2022

JIll Havens was my lawyer for my Pandemic Unemployment Appeal hearing. She is an excellent Employment/ Unemployment lawyer, With Jill's advise and expertise my case was reversed in my favor very quickly.

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Hired attorney

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Attorney endorsements

(6)

Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Andrea Kramer, Employment and labor Attorney on Mar 23, 2022
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Jill is my go-to person for unemployment law when clients need referrals or need some help on unemployment law. Recently a client I referred used Jill's services, and the client was thrilled. And always I get accurate, useful information from her. Jill is the best!

J.W. Londergan, Discrimination Attorney on Oct 24, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I wholeheartedly endorse Attorney Havens! I am an attorney myself, and whenever I have employment law issues and questions - be it for wage and hour, overtime pay, discrimination, sexual harassment, unemployment, severance agreements and the like - Jill is my go to attorney.

Andrea Kramer, Employment and labor Attorney on Mar 23, 2022
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

J.W. Londergan, Discrimination Attorney on Oct 24, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Rachel Benedict, Employment and labor Attorney on Jun 16, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. We worked together at the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Board of Review. She is smart, unflappable and a zealous advocate, someone you definitely want on your side.

Matthew Poppel, Employment and labor Attorney on Nov 9, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. Time and again, Jill Havens has provided critical advice regarding the unemployment aspects of resolving a matter. She responds immediately and provides the info one needs to know before closing the deal. Top notch.

Stefanie Fisher, Employment and labor Attorney on Jul 29, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. We have called her for expert advice when our clients encounter employment issues. She has always given thoughtful and helpful advice. I trust that she would be as excellent to her own clients as she has been to ours.

Corine Claxton, Employment and labor Attorney on Jul 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse Attorney Havens. Recently I consulted with her regarding an employment law related issue. She was able to provide me with valuable information.

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Rachel Benedict

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Cost

RATES

Hourly Rates $300-$300/hour

OTHER BILLING TYPES

Contingency A contingency fee is the percent of the final award a lawyer will receive as compensation. For some of these cases, lawyers will only be paid if there is a successful outcome.33%-40%

PAYMENT METHODS

Cash, Check, Credit Card

Jill Havens

About Jill

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Resume

Reviews

Definitely the right person to work with!

5.0 stars

Client

5.0 stars

Great counsel for PUA situation

5.0 stars

You won't find anyone better.

5.0 stars

Extremely responsive and helpful

5.0 stars

Employment/Unemployment Expert

5.0 stars

Senior Counsel

5.0 stars

Excellent Listener and Creative Problem Solver

5.0 stars

PUA APPEAL

5.0 stars

Client

5.0 stars

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Attorney endorsements

Cost