Megan Knowlton Balne
Partner

Megan Knowlton Balne

Education
  • Rutgers University School of Law-Camden (J.D., magna cum laude, 2010)

  • Ramapo College (B.A., summa cum laude, 2007)

Admissions
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • Supreme Court of the United States

Megan Knowlton Balne, a partner with the firm, concentrates her practice in the areas of employment, counseling and commercial litigation. Known to be a very hard-working and meticulous attorney, Megan is also described as highly intelligent, enthusiastic and compassionate.  Her “go-getter” and “can do” attitude is especially appreciated by her clients.

Megan serves on the Board of the South Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and prioritizes regular communication with business owners on their needs and goals.  Megan also serves as the Chair of the Legal/Legislative Committee for the Human Resource Association of Southern New Jersey.

Megan was selected as one of this year’s Women to Watch by South Jersey Biz.  She was a recipient of SNJ Business People’s 2018 “40 Under 40” Award, and the NJBIZ 2020 “Forty Under 40” Award.  She is a recipient of the “Katherine D. Hartman Outstanding Woman in the Profession” Award.  In 2022, Megan also received the Outstanding Faculty Award from the National Business Institute.

In addition to her commitment to the business community, Megan is proud to serve as a Vice President of the Burlington County Bar Association and founding member of the New Jersey Law Journal’s Young Lawyers Advisory Board.  In 2019, Megan received the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Professional Achievement Award, an award given to one young attorney each year who has achieved significant professional accomplishments.  Megan was recognized by the New Jersey Law Journal as a New Leader of the Bar.  In 2022, the New Jersey Law Journal named Megan as one of the Top Women in Law.

Prior to joining Hyland Levin Shapiro, she clerked for the Honorable Jerome B. Simandle, Chief U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey and for the Honorable Ronald E. Bookbinder, Assignment Judge of the New Jersey Superior Court for Burlington County.

Megan is a member of the Burlington County Bar Association, New Jersey Bar Association and Pennsylvania Bar Association.  A graduate of Ramapo College (B.A., summa cum laude, 2007), Megan received her law degree from Rutgers University School of Law-Camden (J.D., magna cum laude, 2010).

Outside of her practice, Megan has a passion for the arts.  She remains active in community theater and regularly participates as actor, director or stage manager in different productions throughout South Jersey.  She is a supporter of non-profit service and completed United Way’s Young Leaders Program in Philadelphia and serves as Secretary of the Board of the Maternity Care Coalition.

Counseled businesses on compliance and handbook revisions with regard to the New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Act and New Jersey Paid Family Leave Act

Navigated HR Manager through handling and investigation of discrimination allegation

Negotiated a settlement of a restrictive covenant case to enable the client to maintain employment and avoid liability

Assisted client in obtaining women-owned business certification to allow her to build her business and attract competitive work

Negotiated acquisition of a franchise for new business owner successfully through settlement

“Corporate Transparency Act – an HR Perspective,” Human Resource Association of Southern New Jersey, December 2023

“Women’s Advocacy and Civics Education,” National Association of Women Business Owners South Jersey Chapter, November 2023

“Dos and Don’ts of Drafting and Updating Employee Handbook Policies,” National Business Institute October 2023

“New Jersey Employment Law – Hiring, Firing and Disciplining Employees,” National Business Institute, August 2023

“Pennsylvania Employment Law – Hiring, Firing and Disciplining Employees,” National Business Institute, August 2023

“New Jersey Temporary Workers Bill of Rights Explained,” Human Resource Association of Southern New Jersey, May 2023

“Leave in the Post-COVID Era,” Garden State SHRM Conference, October 2022

“Roundtable/Open Forum – Medical Marijuana in the Workplace,” Pennsylvania Bar Association Labor and Employment Section, September 2022

“Employee Hiring and Recruitment in the Post-COVID Era,” Human Resources Association of Southern New Jersey, September 2022

“Cannabis in the Workplace – A Business and HR Perspective,” Businesses Committed to South Jersey, September 2022

“Employee Handbooks: Critical Updates You need to Make in 2022,” National Business Institute, August 2022

“Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA): Creating Compliance and Leave of Absence Programs,” Federal Bar Association and myCLE, August 2022

“Legalization of Marijuana in New Jersey – What Employers Need to Know,” Builders League of South Jersey, June 2022

“Leave Law and Safe Benefits Management,” Katz/Pierz, May 2022

“Employee Handbooks: Rapid-Fire Updates,” National Business Institute, April 2022

“Employee Handbooks:  Rapid-Fire Updates,” National Business Institute, Upcoming March, 2022

“Employee or Not?  How to navigate independent contractor and temporary staff arrangements and remain compliant,” Human Resources Association of Southern NJ, February 2022

“Closely Held Business Disputes – Managing Business Divorce Litigation,” Burlington County Bar Association, January 2022

“Bringing Employee Handbooks Into Compliance – 2022 Updates,” National Business Institute, January 2022

“Employee Handbooks – Updates to Make for 2022,” National Business Institute, November 2021

“COVID Compliance Issues for Business 2021,” Burlington County Bar Association, September 2021

“CFAA Update for Employers After Van Buren: Unauthorized Access, Data Security, and More,” National Business Institute, August 2021

“Emergency Update – COVID-19 Where Are We Now?” Human Resources Association of Southern New Jersey, August 2021

“Bringing Employee Handbooks Into Compliance: What You Need to Know” – National Business Institute August 2021

“Drafting and Updating Employee Handbooks,” National Business Institute, July 2021

“Marijuana Is Legal,” Human Resources Association of Southern New Jersey, March 2021

“Marijuana Is Legal – Keep Your Workplace from Going Up In Smoke,” Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce, February 2021

“Federal Leaves and Cares Act (COVID updates),” HRA of Southern New Jersey, January 2021

“Bringing Employee Handbooks Into Compliance – 2021 Updates” National Business Institute, January 2021

“Employment Law Update 2020,” Burlington County Bar Association, December 2020

“On Duty Consequences for Off Duty Conduct,” HRA of Southern New Jersey, October 2020

“Successful Hiring and Recruitment Steps and Controlling Unemployment Compensation Costs,” National Business Institute, October 2020

“Mini Law School for HR Professionals,” National Business Institute Seminar, October 2020

“Employment Consequences for Off Duty Conduct from Employer and Employee Perspective,” Burlington County Bar Association, Panelist, September 2020

“Navigating the 2019 Business Landscape: Taxes and Trends,” Panel Presentation, Alloy Silverstein, Surety Title Company and Hyland Levin Shapiro, February 2019

“How to Incorporate a Business,” Burlington County Bar Association’s People’s Law School, February 2019

“Business Law 101,” Women’s Business Center, LAEDA, January 2019

“Judicial Opinion Writing,” Vermont Law School, November 2016

Panelist, “The Benefits of Non-Profit Board Service as a Young Professional,” Emerging Young Leaders Conference, Southern New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, August 2015

“Enforceability of Letters of Intent,” Hyland Levin Commercial Broker Seminar, November 2014

“Successful Writing for a Judicial Internship,” Rutgers School of Law-Camden, January 2013

COVID Discrimination Ruling Puts NJ Employers on Notice,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro News Alert, February 2023

“Appellate Division Offers Long-Awaited Guidance on Key RULLCA Provisions,” New Jersey State Bar Association Business Law Section Newsletter, June 2022

Supreme Court Issues Opinions Regarding COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro News Alert, January 2022

OSHA Resumes Implementation and Enforcement of Vaccine Mandate,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro News Alert, December 2021

OSHA Issues Emergency Vaccine Mandate for Employers with 100+ Employees,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro News Alert, November 2021

Biden Administration Issues Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro News Alert, October 2021

Governor Murphy Issues Executive Order Mandating Contracting Employers Implement COVID Vaccine and Testing Requirements,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro News Alert, October 2021

Biden Administration Announces Vaccine Requirement Impacting 100 Million Americans,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro News Alert, September 2021

There and Back Again – CDC Reverses Mask Guidance and DOJ Says Employers Can Mandate Vaccines,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro News Alert, August 2021

NJ Supreme Court Sends Employee’s Claims to Jury Without Corroborating Evidence,” Author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, June 2021

Now What?  New Jersey and OSHA Signal Support for Lifting Mask Requirements,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, May 2021

Independent Contractor Status: Is It a Good Gig for Workers?” Co-author, New Jersey Law Journal, April 2021

“APRA Expands COBRA Coverage,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, April 2021

When is a COVID Case Work-Related? OSHA Revised Reporting & Recording Rules,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, January 2021

More Questions Than Answers – Congress Ends Mandatory Paid FFCRA Leave,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, December 2020

Sticking Point: Should Employers Require Their Employees to be Vaccinated?” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, December 2020

Change and COVID In The Air!  Philadelphia Enacts New and Significant COVID Restrictions,” Co-Author, e-Alert, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP, November 2020

Employers Beware!  New Jersey Expands Workers’ Compensation Coverage,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, September 2020

You Can’t Ask That!  EEOC Updates Employer Health Screening Rules,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, September 2020

Can and Should Employers Require Their Employees to be Vaccinated?” Co-author, Employers Association of New Jersey, Return to Work Resources for Employers, September 2020

Making Employers Sick – FFCRA Regulations Invalidated by Federal Court,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP Client Alert, August 2020

LGBTQ Employees protected Under Title VII – US Supreme Court Issues Landmark Decision,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP Client Alert, June 2020

A Remote Workforce and What Employers and HR Professionals Should Know,” The TriStater, April – June 2020

COVID-19 3-27-2020 Update,” Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP Client Alert, March 2020

COVID-19 Employment Guidance,” Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP Client Alert, March 2020

NJ Employees Can Start Using Their Accrued Sick Leave February 26, 2019!  Are You Ready?”  Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP Client Alert, March 2019

#MeToo – Not Anymore: How the Supreme Court’s Decision in Epic Systems Corp. V. Lewis Keeps Employment Disputes Individualized and Out of the Public Sphere,” Hyland Levin LLP Client Alert, May 2018

Seven Tips for Courtroom Etiquette Every Young Attorney Should Know,” At Issue, Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Newsletter, Fall 2017

New Jersey Landlord and Tenant Registration RequirementsWolf Commercial Real Estate, July 14, 2015

“Beyond the Lease: Practice Points for Landlord’s Counsel” New Jersey Law Journal, 220 N.J.L.J. 660, June 1, 2015, co-authored with Lauren A. Beetle, Esquire

“N.J. Economic Opportunity Act: Changing the Game with New Incentives,” New Jersey Law Journal, 215 N.J.L.J. 923, March 31, 2014

Education
  • Rutgers University School of Law-Camden (J.D., magna cum laude, 2010)

  • Ramapo College (B.A., summa cum laude, 2007)

Admissions
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • Supreme Court of the United States