Andrea O. Wright
Of Counsel
Andrea Ortiz Wright provides practical legal advice to management and Human Resources professionals in union and non-union environments.
Email: awright@drm.com
Phone: 802-258-3070
Direct: 802-451-2312
Accomplished Employment Lawyer Providing Innovative Solutions to Clients
Andrea provides employment and labor counsel to clients in areas including employment compliance and employment policies, paid leave laws, and marijuana and drug testing laws. Her extensive background includes representing employers in matters pending at federal and state agencies, including the EEOC, the Vermont Attorney General Civil Rights Unit, Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and National Labor Relations Board. She also has experience in employment tax matters, including short and long-term executive compensation agreements. Before joining DRM, she served as in-house counsel for the largest privately-held wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S. In this role, she successfully managed labor and employment litigation in federal and state courts.
Andrea is known for offering innovative solutions and actively listening to understand her clients’ risk tolerance. Whether she is interviewing a witness about a sensitive topic or delivering difficult advice, her ability to listen and comprehend is paramount. She excels at managing conflicts and building trust. Andrea takes pride in her Latin-American heritage and enjoys sharing it with her colleagues by teaching them a few Spanish words.
Education
Boston University Law School, LL.M
Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Law Degree
Experience
- Defended multiple charges of discrimination in front of the EEOC and state agencies with persuasive position statements and provided representation at mediation conferences that led to dismissal of the charges.
- Represented company with 15,000+ employees (both union and non-union) in multiple states in all aspects of employment law and traditional labor issues.
- Successfully conducted multiple and lengthy investigation in a charge of harassment and discrimination based on disability in a union environment that led to successful creation of an Inclusive Work Environment. Through this complaint, Andrea discovered a group with lots of problems. It was a very complicated situation from both legal and organizational perspectives. Andrea dove in readily, not only to address the legal issues, but also to lead change management.
- Trained management and hourly workforce in various matters, including but not limited to: avoiding litigation landmines; preventing harassment and discrimination; managing in a unionized environment; respect in the workplace; and compliance with multiple laws (e.g. American with Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act, Paid Sick Leave, NY Anti-sexual Harassment).
Admissions
U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont, 2023
Vermont, 2021
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, 2020
Massachusetts, 2017
Peru, 2012
Memberships & Activities
Vermont Bar Association
Massachusetts Bar Association
American Bar Association
Community Involvement
Impact Monadnock – Early Childhood Development Initiative. Strategic Plan Committee and Volunteer – 2015- 2017
United Way of Windham County. Member of Board of Directors, 2021
Presentations
Andrea has presented to various audiences on topics including harassment in the workplace, FMLA, paid leave laws, pay transparency, employee handbooks and wage and hour topics.
Languages
Spanish