Ann-Marie Ahern

After nearly a decade of tireless service to a company, I found myself in a situation where I was experiencing gender descrimination and eventually termination. I consulted with Ann-Marie early in the process prior to my termination and hired her to handle my case. In addition to being exceptionally ...knowledgeable regarding gender descrimination as well the vast work place issues involved in my case, I was most impressed by her compassion and ability to take the time to truly understand my needs as we made decisions. We took a path of mediation and there were choices that had to be made during that process that were very tough. At each step, she helped me understand the pros and cons while reassuring me that each decision was mine to make which showed her sincere desire to protect my best interest. Her compassion for understanding how emotionally painful descrimination and termination came through repeatedly even offering to have me call her even if I just needed to vent. Ann-Marie breaks all stereotypes of lawyers and puts the needs of her clients first. Her values extend across her entire staff and I could not imagine going through such a difficult life event without their assistance.

Ann-Marie worked with me to negotiate an executive severance package with a former employer. The largest component of the severance was a minority ownership phantom stock agreement where a current valuation of the company needed to be performed and rather vague initial job offer language needed to b...e clarified. Ann-Marie engaged her internal legal team and her wider network at critical points in this process to be sure that she understood the risks associated with each part of the agreement and the recommendation for working through them to bring me the best package possible. This was an emotional issue for me to work through and Ann-Marie did a great job of keeping me grounded and focused to ensure that I understood how the decisions we were making could potentially affect the outcome. In the end, she was able to negotiate a strong package for me. I would highly recommend Ann- Marie to anyone looking for a lawyer well versed in employment law and would particularly recommend her for executives working through difficult separation issues with their companies. She is on top of her game and always had my best interest at heart.

I found myself in a no-win situation back in 2013. After working in the financial services field for over 35 years, I learned that I had Multiple Sclerosis. Coping with MS was hard enough, but on top of that stress, I realized that I was not going to be able to continue working at my company. Despit...e employment laws that are designed to protect people who are disabled and to provide reasonable accommodations, my only choices seemed to be quitting or being fired. I had never experienced a problem like this, so I spoke to a number of people who advised me on how to go forward, given the stark realities. My symptoms included daily fatigue, poor balance, and some memory issues. My friends and other experts encouraged me to demand “reasonable accommodations,” while others saw my situation to be more hopeless. Like most ordinary people, I worked “at will” without an advocate, or a contract. So I turned to a long time lawyer friend who referred me to Ann-Marie Ahern. She calmly went through all of my options, which included the option of asking my doctor to put me on short-term disability, which is what I chose to do. Despite the difficulties I experienced with my supervisors, the company was very helpful and approved my short-term disability with pay. They facilitated the transition to long-term disability by an insurance company. In hindsight, perhaps that’s what the company really wanted all along without telling me. Everything went fine for about 10 months until the insurance company abruptly terminated my benefits, for no reason at all. I was advised that I could appeal, so I went back to Ann-Marie’s firm and they represented me. They asked me to submit to a new set of doctors who confirmed my diagnosis in full detail. After preparing all of the necessary documentation, the insurance company appeal was successful, and the insurance company paid all of the back pay. When I considered suing the insurance company for my extra medical and legal costs that I had incurred, Ann-Marie’s firm discouraged me from doing so, even though their firm would have been paid in any event. Their experience and wisdom kept me from an expensive lawsuit with no guarantee of success. I am thankful that I followed that advice. Eventually, my Social Security Disability appeal was also successful thanks to another set of lawyers provided by the insurance company. But, I believe, no I know, that I prevailed in both matters because of the skill and experience of Ann-Marie’s firm. Even though I would rather be working, I know I am much better off now because of what her firm did for me, and my family. I would heartily recommend anyone to consider using McCarthy Lebit, and in particular, Ann-Marie Ahern. I will never forget what they did for us.

Ann-Marie and her Team were most professional, extremely thorough in their review of my matter and did extensive research prior to accepting my case. While it took some time to resolve, I felt as if she was always right on top of my situation constantly looking for details to further our success. I... would hire Ann Marie and her Team again as I achieved my objective in a timely fashion. A very satisfying working experience.

Ann-Marie helped me negotiate my entrance and my subsequent exit from a Texas company. Many of her recommendations paid handsome dividends in protecting my personal brand, as well as my financial position. I found Ann-Marie through a referral, and I too have referred her to others, which is the highe...st compliment I can pay.