Sam is Of Counsel in the firm’s Employment Practice Group, and counsels the firm’s clients on all matters of employment law.  Prior to joining the firm, Sam worked at a litigation firm, where she gained extensive trial experience in state and federal courts around the Commonwealth.  For the past five years, her practice has become more specialized on advising clients of the requirements they face in hiring, promotions, layoffs, discipline, discrimination, EEOC complaints, overtime, leave and benefits.

Examples of matters recently handled by Sam include:

Overseeing a Department of Labor audit for overtime claims in Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon;

Representing clients in numerous EEOC complaints, including drafting Position Statements and responses to Requests for Information, and handling mediations and on-site investigations;

Advising clients on the legal implications of reductions in force, mass layoffs and exit incentive programs;

Conducting an on-site investigation into harassment claims made against a Fortune 100 company;

Advising employers on the establishment of personnel policies and procedures, including family and medical leave programs, ADA compliance, drug testing programs, and progressive discipline policies; and

Preparing and negotiating employment agreements, separation agreements and retention agreements, including handling disputes related to the enforcement of non-compete and non-solicit clauses.

Sam is a member of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Virginia Bar Association, and served on the VBA Executive Council of the Young Lawyers Division for three years.  She served on the Labor and Employment Steering Committee of the American Law Firm Association.  She has also been a member of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Committee on Management Relations since 2004.

Previous Speaking Engagements:

"Wage and Hour Update - A Summary of the Fair Labor Standards Act," 2008.

"Pre-Employment Screening," ALFA International Client Seminar.

"Avoiding Legal Pitfalls during Employee Selection/Termination," National Business Institute seminar, 2005.

Numerous training sessions for clients on the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Articles and Publications

From the 2009 Virginia Health Care Association Winter Newsletter:

Changes in the Workplace: Amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act