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Following the February 20, 2026 Shaping New England’s Future: Travel, Tourism, & Hospitality conference at Foxwoods Resort Casino – which brought together tourism, hospitality, and cultural leaders to explore regional collaboration – Pullman & Comley Labor and Employment attorney and Hospitality practice chair Ryan A. O’Donnell authored a post for our Hospitality Hub: Legal Insights Series focused on one central theme: building partnerships that last.
Drawing on discussions from the event, Ryan explains why hospitality is a relationship-driven industry and why clear, practical agreements are essential to protecting those relationships. He outlines actionable steps for defining roles, managing financial expectations, and planning for growth and exit.
While the focus of the article is on partnership agreements, it should be noted that Ryan’s points are also critical for managing labor and employment risks, as relying on a handshake agreement can often create confusion over issues such as wage and hour compliance, HR policies, hiring and firing, and handling workplace misconduct.
Read the full alert here:
Partnerships in the Hospitality Business: Why a Handshake Isn’t Enough
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About Our Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Law Blog
Alerts, commentary, and insights from the attorneys of Pullman & Comley’s Labor, Employment Law and Employee Benefits practice on such workplace topics as labor and employment law, counseling and training, litigation, union issues, as well as employee benefits and ERISA matters.