Bio

Douglas Brayley is a partner in the employment, executive compensation and employee benefits practice and leads the firm’s employment litigation practice. Recently, Doug has been one of the key members of Ropes & Gray’s team advising clients on issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the areas of workforce planning and cost reduction strategies, workplace safety, paid leave entitlements, anti-discrimination, and disability accommodation. Doug is a frequent commentator on employment law topics and has appeared in publications and media outlets including The New York Times, CNN, and CNBC. Doug regularly represents employers in complex employment litigation matters, including wage and hour class actions, discrimination matters, whistleblower actions, disputes concerning restrictive covenants and trade secrets, and arbitrations and lawsuits brought by highly compensated senior executives. He has litigated before courts, arbitrators, and administrative agencies. He has argued dispositive motions and appeals, and has served as trial counsel in both state and federal court. Doug advises employers on a wide range of labor and employment matters, including non-compete and trade secret issues, workforce reorganizations, employee discipline and discharge issues, harassment and discrimination allegations, whistleblower allegations, employment agreements, wage and hour issues, and disability and leave issues. Doug also has experience representing employers in internal investigations, interviewing witnesses, assessing risks, and negotiating resolutions. He has represented employers in labor arbitrations and unfair labor practice charges. Doug advises on the employment law issues that arise in corporate transactions, including deal diligence, transition planning, and the drafting of various employment-related agreements. He has represented prominent private equity fund sponsors, portfolio companies, and publicly traded companies in mergers and acquisitions in a variety of industries. As a Special Assistant District Attorney in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, Doug conducted ten jury trials and argued countless motions and other proceedings on behalf of the Commonwealth. Doug has also completed intensive trial skill training through the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. Doug also maintains a robust pro bono practice. Representative matters include helping a Turkish father to regain custody of his children following a high-profile international abduction, briefing the U.S. Supreme Court on restitution for the victims of child pornography, briefing the federal Court of Appeals in support of transgender individuals seeking to serve in the military, and securing asylum status for a Cameroonian woman who had been persecuted for her religion. Before joining Ropes & Gray, Doug served as a law clerk for Judge Jeffrey Sutton of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.