Ann-Marie Ahern

I took my time and did my due diligence before approaching Ann-Marie Ahern with my problem. She had been recommended to me by multiple people, mostly other attorneys. She proved to be a sympathetic, technically competent and hard working advisor and advocate. She delivered what she promised and resolved my issue quickly. I highly recommend her to anyone dealing with a delicate legal matter. She’s a true pro.

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 be 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. Despite 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.

If you're hiring an employment attorney, clearly....you're not going through the best of situations. Ann Marie was able to make the best of a bad situation. She was always professional, sometimes funny and available to guide me through my many questions along the way. I hope to never need her services again but for those that find themselves in need of an employment attorney...do not think twice of hiring Ann Marie.

I was not sure where to turn when I found myself working in a hostile environment. I called a different attorney who thought I did not have a case. I called Ann-Maire and she listened to me, asked to meet and we developed a plan to hold my employer accountable. Her advise was spot on and the outcome was perfect, I was both heard within my previous company and I received financial compensation as well. I will not forget what a GREAT job she did and I would recommend her to others as well.

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.

I was put into an employment situation that required immediate assistance. Ann-Marie was recommended to me by my most trusted friend in the industry. I will say first and foremost that this is an attorney who cares about her clients. Her immediate attention is what gave me the guidance I needed to resolve what became an extremely difficult situation that she handled with professionalism and care. She explored every avenue to achieve the best outcome possible and never discounted my feelings in the process. I cannot give her enough praise, and I was so very lucky to have come to know her even if under difficult circumstances. She is truly the best.

We were very fortunate to be referred to Ann-Marie by another atty for awrongful discharge from employment. We were very impressed not only with her professionalism and integrity but also with her empathy and compassionate caring of our circumstance. She resolved our settlement quickly and to our extreme satisfaction. I would highly recommend Ann-Marie to anyone seeking a top-notch professional atty.

I had never hired a Lawyer in my entire life (over 55 years) until a little over a year. I personally interviewed four law firms all who wanted me as their client, but only Ann-Marie Ahern stood head and shoulders above everyone else. The legal process can be very intimidating, especially, if you are a novice to the whole affair. Ann-Marie Ahern and her colleagues at MLCL were outstanding. I never felt left in the dark. They explained everything to me in a professional manner, advised me and consulted with me when necessary. I was the most impressed with my case results. I ended up with a very reasonable settlement. At no time, did I feel that my Lawyer gave me a pie in the sky expectation regarding my personal case. Instead, I was given the truth and realistic advice. Everyone that I met or worked with at MLCL was a gem and a true professional. You would be lucky to have Ann-Marie Ahern as your Attorney. There is no one else that I would want to represent me in my legal affairs. No one.

Anne Marie Ahern was extremely efficient and effective in handling my issue. She was prompt in her responses and quick to understand the situation and how to leverage it to a satisfactory result. She was able to keep all parties calm in order to negotiate a win/win. I recommend Anne Marie to anyone needing a tough negotiator that can get the needed result and do it in a manner that is fair to all involved.

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 highest compliment I can pay.

Ms. Ahern did a superb job of helping me navigate a difficult employment situation involving ADA concerns. She was excellent at guiding me through necessary and sometimes difficult communication situations with my employer, along with explaining when, why and how such communication was best handled. With her advice, I was able to negotiate an extended period of time in which to find another position within the company, and the end result was a new position that best met the accommodations I need. I found Ms. Ahern to be approachable, knowledgeable regarding the pertinent law, knowledgeable about common employer tactics, and genuinely sensitive to my particular circumstances. I would not hesitate to to engage Ms. Ahern in the future should the need arise.

Ann-Marie was the consummate professional. She was prepared and thorough and kept me apprised every step of the way. I felt confident throughout our engagement that she always had my best interests first and foremost. She is very knowledgable and holds her own against the opposing side.

I engaged Ms. Ahern to represent me in a complex, sensitive and somewhat unusual separation from a well-known and much loved institution. She was clear and candid in her counsel, and was a far better advocate for me than I could ever have been for myself. She had the respect of my employer, and ensured that I was treated with the respect my position and service had earned. She was highly responsive to calls and emails, and encouraged my input throughout the negotiation process. I welcomed the opportunity to work with her, deeply appreciated the settlement she achieved on my behalf, and would not hesitate to recommend her to any executive or professional seeking intelligent, assertive, and fair counsel in a difficult employment situation. As a bonus, she is also a delightful woman with a good sense of humor. I give Ann-Marie Ahern my highest endorsement as an employment attorney.