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 business litigation with a focus on employment litigation. Megan brings a distinctive blend of advocacy, strategy, and client connection to her litigation practice at Hyland Levin Shapiro. Drawn to the law as a way to merge her background in theater and history, Megan found litigation to be a natural outlet for research, storytelling, and persuasive public speaking. Over time, her practice has evolved to include a strong focus on employment law, alongside litigation, allowing her to balance courtroom advocacy with proactive counseling for business clients.
Across all areas of her practice, Megan is guided by a commitment to helping clients build and protect what matters most to them. Whether advising business owners, guiding clients through real estate disputes tied to long-term visions, or addressing employment issues that impact people on a personal level, she emphasizes practical solutions aligned with each client’s goals. In commercial disputes, she keeps clients focused on the end game, helping them avoid getting lost in litigation minutiae.
Areas of Practice
Megan also advises nonprofit organizations on maintaining compliance while remaining mission-driven, emphasizing financial accountability and strong board governance. Known for her collaborative, transparent approach, she ensures clients are active participants in strategy and decision-making, making even complex legal matters more manageable and goal-oriented.
Megan is devoted to serving businesses large and small. 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, the local SHRM Chapter located in Vineland, New Jersey. Megan provides a Monthly Legal Update to HRA members highlighting key developments in employment law that impact the business community.
Megan is one of a select group of attorneys that serves on the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Council. As part of the Council, Megan works to provide programming and collaboration among employment lawyers throughout Pennsylvania. Megan also serves on the Legislative Subcommittee for Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Women in the Profession Committee and was instrumental in providing research for a report and recommendation for equal pay legislation.
Megan has been recognized as a New Leader of the Bar by the New Jersey Law Journal, is a recipient of the Professional Achievement Award by the New Jersey State Bar Association Young Lawyer Committee, and was recognized as one of the top Women in Law in 2022 by the New Jersey Law Journal. Megan is also the Past President of the Burlington County Bar Association and is a member of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar. Megan was recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for her practice in Labor and Employment Law – Management.
Megan was also the recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Award from the National Business Institute and regularly teaches HR professionals and employment lawyers throughout the country on employment law practices. Megan was an invited guest speaker at the Sidney Reitman Employment Law American Inn of Court presenting on Artificial Intelligence. Megan will be presenting at the Pennsylvania Bar Employment Law Institute in April 2026 on ICE raids and the workplace in Philadelphia.
Prior to joining Hyland Levin Shapiro, she clerked for the Honorable Jerome B. Simandle, Chief U.S. District Judge for the U.S. District Court of 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 served as Secretary of the Board for 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
Defended business in employment discrimination litigation and negotiated dismissal of litigation through minimal settlement amount
Navigated HR Manager through handling and investigation of discrimination allegation
Trained HR Team and On-Site Managers for preparation for ICE and drafted policy for ICE response plan.
Conducted investigation into discrimination allegations for property management company
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
Enforced company’s rights under a restrictive covenant agreement and protection of confidential information through cease and desist letter without need for litigation.
Successfully defended against federal court action and enforced restrictive covenant against employee.
Assisted client through temporary staff agency audit and negotiated new staffing contracts for company.
Navigated HR through DOL audit which resulted in no penalties or fines.
“Sorting Out Sticky Situations in Labor and Employment Law,” National Business Institute, October 2025
“New Jersey Employment Law: New Laws, Useful Pointers and Changes You Need to Make,” National Business Institute, September 2025
“Employee Handbook Revamp – Updates to Make for 2025,” National Business Institute, March 2025
“Artificial Intelligence – The Employment Law Perspective,” Sidney Reitman Inn of Court, February 2025
“Don’t Speak – Confidentiality, Severance & Settlement Agreements,” Pennsylvania Bar Employment Law Institute, April 2024
“Leave Laws: Understanding Them and Applying Them in NJ,” Tri-State HRMA SHRM Chapter Compensation and Benefits Symposium, March 2024
“Mixed-Motive Causation Standard under Federal Law: A review of federal statutory law and discussion of recent case law developments for employment counsel,” Federal Bar Association and myLaw CLE, February 2024
“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
“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act And No Tax on Overtime: The Impact On Employers,” Co-author, Pennsylvania Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Newsletter, 2025 Fall Edition
“New Salary Disclosure Obligations Employers Must Be Aware Of,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, June 2025
“In Loper Decision, United States Supreme Court Overrules Chevron,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, June 2024
“Big Rule Changes from the FTC and DOL – Employers Keep Alert!” Author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, April 2024
“COVID Discrimination Ruling Puts NJ Employers on Notice,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP 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 LLP News Alert, January 2022
“OSHA Resumes Implementation and Enforcement of Vaccine Mandate,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, December 2021
“OSHA Issues Emergency Vaccine Mandate for Employers with 100+ Employees,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, November 2021
“Biden Administration Issues Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, October 2021
“Governor Murphy Issues Executive Order Mandating Contracting Employers Implement COVID Vaccine and Testing Requirements,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, October 2021
“Biden Administration Announces Vaccine Requirement Impacting 100 Million Americans,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP News Alert, September 2021
“There and Back Again – CDC Reverses Mask Guidance and DOJ Says Employers Can Mandate Vaccines,” Co-author, Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP 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
“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 Requirements” Wolf 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