Employment Law

Strategic Legal Counsel for Workplace Rights, Compliance & Litigation

Workplace legal issues touch nearly every aspect of business operations — from hiring and termination to harassment prevention, leave compliance, compensation, and internal policy formation. Navigating complex federal, state, and local employment laws requires experienced counsel that combines technical expertise with business awareness.

Bean, Kinney & Korman’s Employment Law practice provides proactive legal guidance and litigation-ready representation for employers and employees throughout Maryland, Virginia, and the Washington, D.C. region. We help organizations align human resources practices with evolving legal standards, manage risk, resolve disputes, and foster productive workplace environments.

Whether you are updating employee handbooks, addressing discrimination claims, responding to wage and hour audits, or navigating reductions-in-force, our team delivers practical solutions grounded in deep legal knowledge and real-world business context.

Comprehensive Employment Law Services

Discrimination & Harassment

• Counseling on compliance with Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and local anti-discrimination laws
• Training for management and HR on prevention and response
• Defense and prosecution of discrimination and harassment claims
• Sensitivity and compliance program development

Our goal is to prevent workplace discrimination while providing assertive representation when disputes arise.

Employment Litigation

• Representation in federal and state court
• Defense and initiation of employment claims
• Mediation, arbitration, and settlement negotiation
• Appeal practice and post-judgment enforcement

We bring strategic litigation experience to resolve disputes efficiently and cost-effectively.

Handbooks & Policies

• Employee handbook drafting and review
• Policy creation for leave, accommodations, performance, and discipline
• Compliance updates for evolving legal requirements
• Remote work and hybrid workplace policy frameworks

Clear written policies reduce ambiguity and drive consistent workplace practices.

HR Advice & Counseling

• Day-to-day HR legal support
• Employment agreement review
• Performance action strategy
• Workplace compliance counseling
• Risk assessments and HR training

We act as an extension of your HR team — offering real-time guidance that supports operational decisions.

Investigations

• Internal investigations of alleged misconduct
• Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation complaints
• Evidence gathering and witness interviews
• Investigation reports and corrective action planning

Our investigations are thorough, objective, and designed to support defensible outcomes.

Leave & Accommodation

• Leave compliance counseling (FMLA, ADA, state and local leave laws)
• Reasonable accommodation planning
• Interactive process facilitation
• Dispute resolution regarding leave and accommodation requests

We help minimize leave-related risk while aligning with regulatory requirements.

Restrictive Covenants & Trade Secrets

• Drafting and enforcement of non-compete agreements
• Non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements
• Trade secret protection strategies
• Defense against unfair competition claims

Protecting confidential information and key talent is essential to long-term success.

Terminations & Reductions-in-Force

• Strategic planning for layoffs and workforce reductions
• Compliance with WARN and state equivalents
• Severance negotiations and release agreements
• Risk mitigation in termination decisions

We help employers manage liability while treating impacted employees professionally.

Wage & Hour Compliance

• FLSA compliance and classification audits
• Overtime, tip credit, and exempt/non-exempt counseling
• Wage claims defense and settlement negotiation
• Payroll and wage documentation reviews

Comprehensive wage and hour counseling reduces exposure to costly audits and litigation.

Who We Represent

Our Employment Law practice serves:

• Employers of all sizes (from startups to established corporations)
• Human resources professionals and leadership teams
• Business owners and C-suite executives
• Individuals asserting workplace rights
• Nonprofit and mission-driven organizations
• Government contractors with specific compliance requirements

We represent clients in both preventative counseling and litigation settings.

Industries Served

We have experience across a diverse set of industries, including:

• Technology and professional services
• Healthcare and life sciences
• Government contracting
• Hospitality and retail
• Construction and development
• Financial services
• Nonprofit and association sectors
• Franchise and multi-unit businesses

Industry awareness allows us to anticipate common employment challenges and tailor practical solutions.

Employment Law FAQs

What federal and state laws govern workplace discrimination?

Workplace discrimination is governed by federal laws such as Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Equal Pay Act, as well as state and local statutes. Legal counsel helps ensure compliance and defend claims when they arise.

Do all employers need an employee handbook?

Yes. Even small employers benefit from a clear handbook. A well-written handbook provides consistent policies, sets expectations, reduces liability, and supports defensible positions in disputes.

What is the “interactive process” for accommodations?

The interactive process is a collaborative dialogue between employer and employee to determine reasonable accommodations under the ADA and similar laws. Legal counsel can help guide this process to reduce risk and ensure compliance.

How can employers avoid wage and hour claims?

Employers should perform regular wage and hour audits, classify employees properly, document pay practices, and ensure records are accurate. Legal counsel provides compliance strategies and response planning.

Can an employer enforce a non-compete agreement?

Enforceability of non-competes depends on jurisdiction, scope, duration, and reasonableness. Legal counsel helps draft enforceable agreements and defends or challenges restrictive covenant claims when disputes arise.