Williams Mullen Welcomes Emily Kendall Chowhan and John McInnis to Richmond Office

Williams Mullen is pleased to announce that Emily Kendall Chowhan has joined the firm’s Labor, Employment & Immigration Section and John M. McInnis, III has joined its Litigation Section as associates. Both attorneys are based in the firm’s Richmond office.

Chowhan focuses her practice on labor and employment compliance and defends businesses in employment litigation. She frequently counsels management on how to comply with both state and federal laws, including anti-discrimination and harassment laws, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Virginia Human Rights Act (VHRA) and others.

Chowhan also guides and defends higher education institutions, advising them on Title IX compliance, assisting them with internal investigations, and representing them against agency actions and complaints. Additionally, she handles employment litigation matters for both higher education institutions and corporate clients in federal and state courts, as well as in front of administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Education.

Previously, she served as a law clerk for the Honorable Robert Humphreys of the Court of Appeals of Virginia, where she gained experience researching and writing advisory bench memorandums on both civil and criminal appeals.

Chowhan earned her Juris Doctor degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law, and her Master of Arts degree, with distinction, and her Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, both from Liberty University.

McInnis focuses his practice on providing legal guidance to contractors, developers, property owners, and engineers. He has experience assisting clients with navigating the legal complexities of construction projects through construction litigation, contract negotiation, risk management, and dispute resolution.

McInnis prioritizes his clients’ interests through all stages, including construction defect claims, contract drafting and enforcement, mechanic’s liens, payment disputes, and regulatory compliance. He also has experience in real estate litigation and has effectively counseled clients, both landlords and tenants, when disputes arise over their respective rights and obligations under leases.

McInnis earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Richmond School of Law, and his Master of Public Administration degree and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina.