Labor & Employment: Virginia

THE FIRM This team earns praise for its sophisticated advice across a broad spectrum of labor and employment matters. It has significant experience in major labor disputes, ERISA issues and discrimination matters. The consistently top-notch service attracts a stream of notable clients.

Sources say: "We demand that outside counsel understands our business and views itself as an integral part of our broader team. The team from Hunton & Williams fills that role for us perfectly."

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Seasoned veteran" and "outstanding trial lawyer" Thomas Murphy is praised by clients for "understanding our business and adopting a practical approach to resolving problems." He has experience in all areas of labor and employment law, with an emphasis on discrimination trials.

Head of the firm's global employment litigation and labor management relations practice, Gregory Robertson has "outstanding judgment and understands strategic business objectives beyond purely legal considerations." He has expertise in advising clients on labor union campaigns, among other things.

The hugely respected Hill Wellford is cited as "the dean of labor and employment practice in Virginia." He has considerable trial experience, including in class and collective suits.

Kurt Larkin is "thoughtful in relation to different litigation strategies and is able to master a large volume of facts." He has particular expertise in advising corporate clients on labor relations matters.

The "smart and able" Mark Dray is "a superb benefits lawyer." He has recently advised private taxable and public exempt sector clients on issues relating to deferred compensation plans.

David Mustone is "an excellent attorney who has a great ability to see the practical side of issues and excels at providing creative and pragmatic solutions to legal issues." He frequently advises clients on ERISA and tax law.

THE FIRM This team represents clients, including Fortune 500 companies, on the gamut of labor and employment matters. Sources commend its deft handling of labor, government regulation and ERISA matters. Notable clients include Amgen, Harris Teeter and Smithfield Foods.

Sources say: "They are very well informed in their areas of expertise. They are also responsive, professional and they win; in all respects, a first-rate law firm."

KEY INDIVIDUALS In addition to possessing "deep knowledge and expertise" in labor law, clients say that Gary Marshall "understands the way we think and our goals." His clients include Coca-Cola Enterprises, Dominion Resources and NiSource.

The fantastic Stephen Robinson is an "excellent trial lawyer and advocate." He advises employers on all aspects of employment and labor relations matters, with a focus on litigation.

Carter Younger "knows how to get to the solution you're seeking without superfluous posturing and unnecessary expense," say clients. He is highly praised for his advice on a range of labor and employment issues, including discrimination and executive contracts.

Jonathan Harmon is a trial specialist. He recently represented Boeing in two employment cases relating to Sarbanes-Oxley.  

James McElligott has "an encyclopedic knowledge of benefits law." Recent highlights include successfully representing DuPont in an ERISA class action lawsuit.

THE FIRM This Tysons Corner-based boutique is rated for its advice to management across the full range of employment law matters. Sources are particularly complimentary about its capabilities in litigation.

Sources say: "I would unhesitatingly recommend them to others, they are great."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources report that "you could catch Edward Isler unawares on the street and he could recite the fact pattern and holding of any Virginia case in this area for the last 60 years," such is his knowledge. The veteran trial lawyer also earns praise for his problem-solving skills and personable demeanor.

Theresa Connolly advises clients on matters including the drafting and enforcement of restrictive covenants, restructuring and personnel policies. She also advises clients on workplace investigations.

"Well-established litigator" Mark Dare is an acknowledged expert in employment law and is particularly noted for his knowledge of unfair competition.

THE FIRM This team has strength in employment-related litigation, wage and hour claims, and advising on processes and procedures. Active clients include Praxa Medical, OSI Restaurant Partners and AppleIllinois, a franchisee of Applebee's.

Sources say: "It is a strong and focused group with a variety of subject matter experts."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "astute, thoughtful and erudite" David Nagle is managing partner of the firm's Richmond office. He is an experienced trial attorney and advises clients across a range of labor and employment law matters.

The "highly customer service-oriented" Paul DeCamp is an "FLSA genius" and "an invaluable asset" for his clients. He heads the firm's wage and hour practice.

THE FIRM The team at Kaufman & Canoles moves up the rankings this year thanks to a slew of positive market feedback, particularly in regard to its showing in Norfolk and the surrounding area. It handles a wide array of labor and employment work.

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Bredehoft has a "brilliant mind" and "comes up with some highly novel arguments when needed." He has particular expertise in representing midsized companies in discrimination and sexual harassment cases.

Practice chair Burt Whitt advises clients on a range of employment-related matters. He is clearly well respected among peers, earning a number of positive acknowledgments.

THE FIRM This team is noted for its defense of discrimination and harassment claims as well as labor law matters and has particular expertise representing clients in the transportation, retail and hospitality industries. Recent highlights include successfully representing Fola Coal at the NLRB. 

Sources say: "Williams Mullen is strong; you build a relationship with a lawyer and are then comfortable talking with him rather than just being talked to by him."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chairman of the firm's board of directors James Meath is "an excellent lawyer and a creative kind of guy." He is a highly experienced labor and employment lawyer.

David Burton has particular expertise in advising clients on labor law issues. Clients describe him as "persuasive, extremely intelligent and a highly effective advocate."

The "knowledgeable and thorough" Lynn Jacob is an experienced litigator. Her areas of expertise include discrimination, wrongful discharge and wage and hour claims.

Nelson Wilkinson is "highly energetic and communicates well," according to sources. He focuses on defending claims arising from various labor and employment acts.

Catherine Marriott is chair of the employee benefits practice. She "always does a good and thorough job," according to sources.

THE FIRM This team has a broad practice, advising employers of all sizes on disputes and other employment matters. It is well versed in trade secret and discrimination cases and has also recently been representing American Commercial Lines in a Sarbanes-Oxley whistle-blower trial and subsequent appeal. Other notable clients include CapitalSource, Dana and the embassy of Japan.

Sources say: "They are timely, put great thought into the issues and do excellent work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS "Great litigator" William Flanagan "has a good way of coordinating things with in-house counsel." He frequently advises companies on significant litigation including class action suits.

THE FIRM The team at LeClairRyan receives praise for its expertise in advising clients on labor-related matters. It is also recognized for its advice on noncompete and trade secrets matters. Clients include HD Supply, ATK Armament Systems and Advance Auto Parts.

Sources say: "I find them to be highly client-focused, responsive and competent."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clinton Morse is "spot-on for what we need in regards to labor and employment," clients say. He focuses on advising unionized companies on labor relations matters.

Chair of the firm's labor and employment group Charles Meyer is "a subject matter expert whose effectiveness and client interface make him particularly commendable." He is recommended both for counseling and litigation.

THE FIRM The Northern Virginia office of national labor and employment firm Littler Mendelson earns strong market endorsement for its expertise in all management-side matters, and has recently been engaged in, among other things, wage and hour litigation and NLRB work. Clients include PA Consulting Group, Sage Software and Maxim Healthcare.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Thomas Flaherty has "an excellent grasp of the subject matter which allows him to give highly sound business advice." As well as handling employment litigation, including discrimination claims, he also has substantial experience in traditional labor law and in disputes involving bonus and commission payments.

Elizabeth Lalik is a "knowledgeable, poised, flawlessly prepared, pragmatic and client-focused litigator and counselor." She specializes in dealing with UK companies and their US subsidiaries.

THE FIRM Alexandria-based labor and employment boutique Lorenger & Carnell is recommended by employers for both counseling and litigation, and has recently defended clients in FLSA class actions. Clients include Cable Television Laboratories, Interstate Hotels & Resorts and PBS.

Sources say: "Their responsiveness and ability to work closely with the client to understand their needs set them apart from other law firms we have worked with."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Lorenger is "technical strong, consistently accessible, responsive and he clearly understands our business," according to one source. Also praised for his ability to translate legal knowledge into sound business advice, he has recently been busy with FLSA-related claims.

Susanne Harris Carnell is praised for being "very bright and tenacious in litigation." Recently she has been busy with a number of racial discrimination claims.

THE FIRM This Richmond-based team has a strong employment law practice and frequently represents clients in federal and state courts in cases involving discrimination, breach of contract and matters relating to noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreements.

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Constine is deputy practice group leader of the firmwide labor and employment group. His practice spans litigation and counseling on matters such as personnel manuals, employment contracts and noncompetition agreements.

Eugene Webb has a focus on representing companies in trade union matters. His experience in this field spans industries such as brewing, candy manufacturing, textiles, printing and corrugated box manufacturing.

Wallace Starke focuses on pension and deferred compensation plans, executive compensation and flexible benefits. "He is a very strong benefits lawyers," said a source.

THE FIRM This Northern Virginia-based team's client list covers a wide range of sectors and industries and includes government contractors as well as major international corporations. These clients receive quality advice across all areas of labor and employment law. 

Sources say: "It has a good team and puts the client's needs ahead of other agenda." "Top-quality legal services alongside first-rate customer/client services."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Smith is "brilliant in terms of the big picture and the strategic perspective." He is well known for his expertise in collective bargaining and has previously negotiated with unions representing mine workers, steel workers, TV actors and other industries.

Gregory Ossi has a particular strength in advising clients on collectively bargained obligations and retiree health benefits relating to bankruptcies.

THE FIRM This team is recognized for its litigation advice, but also has experience advising clients on union organizing campaigns, collective bargaining negotiations and wage and hour inspections. Clients include State Farm, Centex Homes and FedComp.

Sources say: "It has a strong group of attorneys across the board and the attorneys coordinate well and share information based upon the specialty needed."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients value Thomas Sawyer's "ability to provide reliable and timely advice, blending his industry experience with guidance that he tailors to our specific circumstances." He is recognized for his skills in employee defection cases.

THE FIRM This team enters the rankings this year following several strong market recommendations. It is noted for its advice on labor law as well as employment litigation.

Sources say: "An outstanding firm which is quick to respond when we have a request."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Tom Winn is the main contact at the firm.