Practice Areas Employment Law

Maryland Employment Lawyers

We Will Help You Stand Up to Your Employer and Protect Your Rights

As an employee working in Maryland, it can seem like your employer holds all the power and that the law is always in their favor. This view is not completely accurate. While it is true that employers have a significant amount of control over how things are done in the workplace, they are not allowed to abuse and discriminate against their employees or violate any other established employment law.

If you are involved in an employment dispute, we can help. The experienced Maryland employment lawyers at the Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC can review your case and help determine whether or not your employer has violated any federal, state or local laws that may give rise to a claim against your employer. You do not have to go through this difficult time alone.

The Benefits of Working with Maryland Employment Attorneys

The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC has years of experience protecting the rights of Maryland workers. We handle several types of employment matters and disputes. No employment issue is too large or too small for our attorneys to review and provide advice as to whether or not we can help. Unfortunately, employees in Maryland and across the nation are taken advantage of by employers, because these workers often are not aware of the employer’s obligations under the law. The following are some of the more common ways that employers violate the rights of their employees:

• Wage & Hour Claims
• Severance Agreements
• Government Employee Issues
• Sexual Harassment
• Age Discrimination
• Gender Discrimination
• Sexual Orientation Discrimination
• Race and National Origin Discrimination
• Disability Discrimination
• Wrongful Termination
• Pregnancy Discrimination
• Religious Discrimination
• Workplace Retaliation
• Employment Contracts/Non-Compete Agreements

In the majority of employment-related disputes, the employee bears the burden of establishing that his or her rights were violated by an employer. For this reason, it is vital that you hire an experienced and knowledgeable employment dispute attorney to handle your case. The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC has extensive experience and can provide you the skilled legal representation necessary to ensure your rights are protected under state and federal laws.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of any of these prohibited behaviors, contact us today for a confidential consultation with a knowledgeable employment attorney.

How A Maryland Employment Lawyer Can Help You in an Employment Dispute

1. Investigating Your Claim

If you believe that you have a claim against your employer, a government agency or court won’t just take your word for it; you must prove that your version of events is the correct version. To do this, our Maryland employment attorneys will help you gather all of the evidence you will need to present a compelling case, such as:

• Interviewing witnesses to the dispute (including your employer)
• Obtaining records and files related to the incident (such as your hours log, workplace entry/exit records, photos and video surveillance, etc.)
• Reviewing your employment agreement or contract (if applicable)
• Investigating similar past incidents by your employer

2. Evaluating the Legal Merits of Your Case

Even though you may feel that you have been wronged by your employer, not all employer conduct is legally actionable. In order to prevail in an employment law case, you must prove all of the elements of each cause of action, whether your claim is for wrongful termination, wrongful discharge, discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, or any other type of employment dispute. At the federal level, most employment claims arise under one or more of the following statutes:

• The Civil Rights Act
• The Equal Pay Act
• The Americans with Disabilities Act
• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act
• The Family and Medical Leave Act
• The Occupational Safety and Health Act
• The Fair Labor Standards Act

The state also prohibits discrimination in the workplace through the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act.

A skilled Maryland employment lawyer will be able to apply the requirements of each of these statutes to the specific facts of your case to weigh the strength of your claim. 

3. Calculating Your Damages

“Damages” is the legal term for the harm you suffered (in monetary terms) as a result of the defendant’s conduct. Generally, the amount of damages to which a successful plaintiff is entitled is the amount necessary to put him or her in the same position he or she would have been in had the incident not occurred. In employment law, this can include:

• Lost pay
• Lost benefits
• Unpaid overtime
• Bonuses or commissions to which you were entitled
• Consequential damages (e.g., medical bills, job search costs, relocation expenses, etc.)
• Pain and suffering damages
• Punitive damages (typically in discrimination cases)

Calculating the exact amount of damages you suffered can often be a complex undertaking, but an employment attorney has extensive experience doing so and can help you determine the correct amount.

4. Advocating on Your Behalf

Once an employment lawyer determines that your employer likely violated one or more federal or state laws, he or she will then initiate legal proceedings on your behalf, including:

• Representing your interests in mediation or settlement negotiations with your employer
• Filing official complaints with the appropriate government agency (such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights)
• Representing you in administrative hearings and appeals
• Filing and pursing civil suits on your behalf at the federal or state level

For more information about what employment attorneys do and how they can help you, contact the employment attorneys at the Law Firm of J.W. Stafford.

Employment Contract Disputes in Maryland

Along with matters arising under state and federal employment laws, we also provide legal advice and representation for disputes arising under employment contracts. If you have questions or need help asserting your contractual rights as a current or former executive or employee, a Maryland employment attorney at our firm can walk you through everything you need to know. While many employment contract-related disputes can be resolved informally with the right approach, our lawyers can also pursue mediation, arbitration or litigation on your behalf as necessary.

At The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC, we handle employment matters and contract disputes in Maryland including, but not limited to:

• Job Descriptions and Duties – In many cases, contract-based employees can face issues with their employers expecting them to do more than is legally required. If you have an employment contract, you should not face discipline or termination for refusing to do anything beyond the scope of your contractual job description or job duties.
• Executive and Employee Compensation – Compensation is a common issue in employment contract disputes as well. If your current or former employer is refusing to pay the full compensation to which you are contractually entitled, a Maryland employment attorney at The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC can help.
• Overtime Pay – Overtime pay issues can be tricky, especially in contractual employment relationships. However, if you are entitled to overtime pay, you can—and should—take legal action to ensure that you receive the full compensation you are entitled to receive for your services.
• Severance – Severance compensation disputes are also common. If you have separated from your former employer and have been trying unsuccessfully to secure the severance compensation provided for in your employment contract, we encourage you to contact us promptly so that we can help.
• Medical Leave – If you need to take medical leave during the term of your employment contract, it will be important to understand how your contract and the law protect you. An employment law attorney at our firm can explain everything you need to know and help you take legal action as warranted.
• Vacation Leave – Vacation leave disputes can present considerations and issues that are both similar and dissimilar to those involving medical leave. This includes disputes regarding the right to take vacation leave as well as disputes involving the right to “buy out” unused vacation time.
• Contract Term and Termination – We also regularly represent executives and other employees in employment contract disputes involving term and termination. Whether you are being accused of leaving your post prematurely or need to pursue a wrongful termination claim against a former employer, we can use our experience to advise and represent you effectively.

We handle disputes involving alleged non-disclosure, non-solicitation and non-competition violations as well. If you are being accused of violating the confidentiality, non-solicitation or non-competitive provisions of your employment contract, or if you are being accused of violating a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) you signed with your current or former employer, an employment lawyer at The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC can help you respond to these allegations appropriately. Your lawyer can assess any claims you may have against your employer as well, and, if warranted, your lawyer can take legal action on your behalf.

Maryland Employment Law Disputes in the News

While employment-related issues don’t often make headlines, there have recently been some notable stories in the news. Here are some examples of recent news stories about employment-related disputes in Maryland (these cases were not handled by a Maryland employment attorney at our firm):

Verizon Maryland, LLC Agrees to Pay $115,000 to Settle Disability Discrimination Lawsuit

In response to a lawsuit from the EEOC, Verizon Maryland, LLC agreed to pay $115,000 and “furnish significant remedial relief” to settle allegations of disability discrimination. According to the EEOC, the lawsuit stemmed from Verizon’s refusal to allow an employee with hypertension to apply for a field position. The EEOC also alleged that Verizon failed to offer the employee a reasonable accommodation or the opportunity to compete for other vacant positions.

Maryland Department of Health Facility Agrees to Pay $270,000 to Settle Equal Pay Lawsuit

The Thomas B. Finan Center of the Maryland Department of Health agreed to pay $270,000 to settle allegations that it “paid a less tenured and less experienced male recreation therapist higher wages than it paid to his four female counterparts, even though the females had greater experience in the job.” As part of the settlement, the Thomas B. Finan Center also agreed not to engage in pay discrimination going forward, to conduct internal training programs, and to “increase the females’ compensation to what they should have been earning . . . and to adjust their pensions accordingly.”

Labor Dispute with Anne Arundel County’s Department of Public Works Leads to Strike

A labor dispute in Anne Arundel County led to a disruption in recycling and yard waste collection for local residents. Unfortunately, what this article, which discusses the dispute, doesn’t address is the reason for the strike or its impact on the workers involved. When workers need to strike or hire a Maryland employment attorney, they are often facing unsafe working conditions or unfair employment practices—and these can have significant impacts on their physical, emotional and financial wellbeing.

Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Accused of Maintaining an Unsafe Workplace

The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health office (MOSH) has accused the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) of maintaining an unsafe workplace. The accusations followed the death of a parole agent in 2024 when he was checking in on a parolee. MOSH issued a Citation of Notification and Penalty that cites multiple “serious” safety violations and requires the DPSCS to undertake multiple remedial measures.

Statistics on EEO Complaints and Requests for Reasonable Accommodations in Maryland

Each year, the Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM) publishes a Statewide Equal Employment Opportunity Report with statistics on Maryland’s workforce, equal employment opportunity (EEO) complaints, and requests for reasonable accommodations in the state. As selected by a Maryland employment lawyer at our firm, here are some of the most notable statistics from 2024:

• The DBM’s data indicate that EEO complaints are on the rise. While there was a total of 520 complaints in 2019, there were a total of 593 complaints in 2024.
• According to the DBM, the most common bases for EEO complaints in 2024 were disability discrimination, racial discrimination, and retaliation.
• In 2024, Maryland state employees requested a total of 1,375 reasonable accommodations. Of these requests, 1,172 (85 percent) were granted. The total number of requests in 2024 more than doubled the total number of requests in 2019.
• The DBM notes that a “high” number of reasonable accommodation requests in 2024 sought full-time telework or hybrid working schedules.

How Can We Help You?

So, how can we help you? Are you dealing with harassment or discrimination at work? Do you need to file a claim for unpaid wages? Do you need to enforce your rights under an employment contract? Do you need legal advice or legal representation for another employment-related matter in Maryland?

Regardless of your situation, if you need help making smart decisions about protecting your legal rights, your career or your right to compensation, we invite you to get in touch. Once you do, we will arrange for you to speak with a Maryland employment lawyer at our offices in strict confidence as soon as possible. During your initial consultation, your lawyer will give you the legal advice you need to start framing your thoughts, and your lawyer will also walk you through your next steps if you decide to take action.

We handle employment disputes informally, in mediation and arbitration, in court, before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and before other state and federal agencies. In short, no matter what it takes to protect your legal rights, we have the experience you need. We can also take legal action on your behalf on an emergency basis if necessary (i.e. if you are running out of time to file a claim). No matter what it takes, you can count on our lawyers to fight for the outcome you deserve.

Don’t Run Out of Time to Assert Your Legal Rights

Employment-related claims are subject to strict deadlines in many cases. If you only have a limited amount of time to assert your legal rights as an employee, it is critical that you take action before the relevant deadline expires. With this in mind, if you think you may need to take legal action, we strongly encourage you to contact us right away. We will never pressure you to take legal action, but we will let you know if time is of the essence. This way, you can make informed decisions with your long-term best interests in mind before it is too late.

Contact Our Maryland Employment Attorneys Today

You can rest assured that working with the Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC is confidential, uncomplicated, and efficient. No matter what type of legal issues you are having related to your employment, our attorneys can help. We will take the time to go over your case and provide you with honest and accurate information about what legal options are available to you. We have represented many workers in their employment disputes and will aggressively fight on your behalf. Contact us today at 410-514-6099 to set up a consultation with an experienced Maryland employment lawyer.