Andrea Peraner-Sweet

Ms. Peraner-Sweet maintains a general civil litigation practice, focusing primarily on employment law, business litigation and tort claims. In addition, she has developed an active probate litigation practice.

Ms. Peraner-Sweet’s employment law practice includes representation of both employers and employees in matters involving claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, retaliation, unlawful termination, Wage Act violations, violation of FMLA, and violation of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements. She regularly reviews employment contracts and severance agreements and assists clients in drafting and negotiating these agreements. She also assists clients in drafting and revising Employee Handbooks and in conducting internal investigations.

Ms. Peraner-Sweet’s business litigation practice has included matters involving claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud, and claims of unfair and deceptive trade practices. She also has represented companies in connection with claims related to product liability, negligence, and breach of warranty.

Ms. Peraner-Sweet also has an active probate litigation practice. She has represented personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries in matters involving will contests, claims of breach of fiduciary duty, lack of testamentary capacity, and undue influence.

Ms. Peraner-Sweet also represents individuals in personal injury matters.

Ms. Peraner-Sweet has been an active member in her community for the past 20 years. In 2010 she was elected to the Board of Selectmen for the Town of Westford, a position she continues to hold. Prior to that, she served 13 years on Westford’s Planning Board. Throughout the years, she has served on multiple Town committees and commissions.

Ms. Peraner-Sweet currently serves as a Hearing Officer with the Board of Bar Overseers, her second time serving.

• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of employer whose former employee claimed he was discriminated against based on his disability.
• Obtained dismissal of case on behalf of employer whose former employee claimed he was discriminated against because of his race and national origin.
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of employer whose employee claimed she was discriminated against because of her race, national origin and religious beliefs. Judgment was subsequently upheld by the Massachusetts Appeals Court.
• Represented employer in lawsuit filed by consultant alleging violation of Massachusetts Wage Act and breach of contract. Case resolved at mediation on terms favorable to client.
• Represented company and its two shareholders in arbitration involving claims of Wage Act violation and unfair and deceptive practices.
• Represented multiple employees in connection with severance packages and negotiated increased payments and terms more favorable to employees.
• Represented employee who claimed her employer had been sexually harassing her. Case resolved at mediation upon terms favorable to client.
• Represented partner of a medical group who had been dismissed from the partnership. Case resolved at mediation upon terms favorable to the client.
• Represented distributor of product in lawsuit in which it was incorrectly named as a defendant. Obtained dismissal of client from lawsuit with minimal exposure.
• Represented multiple manufacturers in toxic tort litigation involving claims of exposure to asbestos-containing products.
• Represented several electric utilities in connection with property damage, catastrophic personal injury and insurance coverage issues.
• Represented parents of child in dram shop liability case. Obtained highly successful settlement for clients at mediation.
• Represented beneficiary of Estate and obtained dismissal of claims of undue influence against her.
• Represented trustee in connection with claims of excessive fees and successfully negotiated withdrawal of trustee and settlement of claims.
• Successfully represented student in Title IX investigation of sexual misconduct, resulting in a finding that there was insufficient information to support a finding that the student violated the college’s Sexual Conduct/Title IX policy.

• FDIC v Elio, 39 F. 3d 1239 (1st Cir. 1994) (appointment of trustee and other preliminary relief in fraudulent conveyance matter)
• McBride v. Mass. Comm’n Against Discrimination, 677 F. Supp. 357 (D. Mass. 2007) (dismissal of employee’s claim of discrimination based on race)
• Maryland Casualty Co. v. NSTAR Electric Co., 471 Mass. 416 (2015) (public utility’s liability for damages may be limited by a properly filed and approved tariff)
• Afarian v. Massachusetts Electric Co., 449 Mass. 257 (2007) (affirming summary judgment on plaintiff’s claims of negligence)
• Garweth v. Boston Edison Co., 415 Mass. 303 (1993) (economic damages not recoverable in negligence where there was no property damage or personal injury)
• Adoption of Raissa, 93 Mass. App. Ct. 447, rev. denied, 480 Mass. 1106 (2018) (affirming trial court’s decision awarding sole legal and physical custody of minor child to father and terminating mother’s rights)
• Thelusma v. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, 90 Mass. App.Ct. 1120 (2016) (Rule 1:28 decision) (affirming summary judgment on plaintiff’s claims of discrimination, hostile work environment and retaliation based on her race, national origin and religion)

• Andrea Peraner-Sweet, How To Hire A Domestic Worker And Stay Out Of Trouble, Boston Bar Journal, Summer 2018
• Andrea Peraner-Sweet, The New Transgender Anti-Discrimination Law and Guidance Issued By The Attorney General’s Office And The MCAD, Boston Bar Journal, Winter 2016
• Andrea Peraner-Sweet, Post-Trial Motions, Superior Court Civil Practice Manual, MCLE 2015 and 2017 Supplements

• Member, Boston Bar Association
• Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
• Hearing Officer, Board of Bar Overseers
• Member, Westford Board of Selectmen, 2010 to present, Chair, 2012, 2015 and 2017
• Admitted to the Massachusetts and Rhode Island state bars, the United States District Court for the Districts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

• "Every time I talked to Andrea, I was so grateful that I was referred to her. She was always calm, re-assuring and explained everything that was going on. She helped us achieve a successful resolution of my father’s estate."
• "Andrea counseled me through a difficult time that occurred during my employment. She helped me separate from my [employer] in a way that did not damage my professional credentials or reputation. She is an attorney who is caring, kind and insightful."