Mary Ann Rousseau | Fall River Employment and Divorce Lawyer

• Massachusetts Bar Association, R.I. Bar Association, Maine Bar Association, Bristol county Bar Association, Greater Fall River Rotary Club
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  1994-2017

• Valedictorian | Providence College

I have settled many employment cases in the last year which gave compensation and closure to my clients concerning traumatic experiences with their jobs and careers. In the divorce/ family law area, I have negotiated settlements which have resulted in my clients starting new lives. I believe that I have made a positive difference for many hundreds of individuals during my 34 years of practice.

I have built a successful legal practice developing expertise, returning phone calls, being detail oriented and truly caring about my clients and the outcomes of their cases. I give 100% effort to my practice.

Clients should look for a lawyer who possesses intelligence, experience, expertise, the ability to listen and excellent judgment. There should be both a readiness to do battle for them if necessary and a practical honesty about the case presented. The client must be made aware of the good and bad aspects of any case. The focus should always be on the client's welfare.

Local knowledge of procedure, judges, and court systems is very helpful. It is particularly important in employment cases where sometimes there is a choice of venue - federal or state courts, once the case goes beyond the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination filing stage.

When I give a free phone consultation, I am providing basic information: a discussion of statute of limitations issues, unemployment compensation information and general explanation of the legal process.

In a phone consultation, I hope to obtain basic legal information, statute of limitations information, and enough factual information to determine if it makes sense for the client to come to my office for a full consultation. I do not want a client to waste time. A full employment consult usually lasts between 1 -2 hours and involves a review of documents in the client's possession.

I have 34 years of legal experience with nearly 25 years as a plaintiff's lawyer. I am differentiated from other lawyers since I have worked in Boston law firms representing employers before I set up my plaintiff's practice in 1994. This was by design since I wanted to understand the legal strategies of employers. I know what the employers will argue, I know their strategies on the cases and in negotiating settlements, and the motivations behind their actions. In short, I know what makes them tick. I know what proof will work and what will not. This all gives me the ultimate edge over other lawyers in the employment field. In the divorce/family law area I try to make my fees far more reasonable than what most lawyers require in the area so that legal representation can be available to clients in the Southeastern Massachusetts.

The most rewarding aspect of my work is that I help clients attain justice and I help people overcome trauma concerning job loss and family issues.

Besides the law, I play cello and bassoon (seriously) and harp (for fun) and enjoy oil painting and gardening.

I was involved with the Fall River Rotary Club (24 years) have participated in the Fall River Symphony, and am currently a member of Westport River Gardeners and Westport Art Group.