Large employers, whether on a local or national scale, will face issues that arise from their employees, directors, competitors and labor unions. David Burton is an attorney you want on your side when these matters surface. Those issues can stem from Title VII, age discrimination, fair labor standards, family and medical leave, the WARN Act, wrongful discharge, covenants not to compete, and employment contracts and handbooks, as well as other state and federal employment issues. David counsels employers on remaining union-free and decertifying existing unions in the workforce, and he represents employers in aspects of unfair labor practice proceedings. He also represents management at the bargaining table in labor contract negotiations and arbitrations. David has presented numerous on-site training seminars for supervisors and management personnel on a variety of labor and employment issues.
Large employers, whether on a local or national scale, will face issues that arise from their employees, directors, competitors and labor unions. David Burton is an attorney you want on your side when these matters surface.
Those issues can stem from Title VII, age discrimination, fair labor standards, family and medical leave, the WARN Act, wrongful discharge, covenants not to compete, and employment contracts and handbooks, as well as other state and federal employment issues. David counsels employers on remaining union-free and decertifying existing unions in the workforce, and he represents employers in aspects of unfair labor practice proceedings. He also represents management at the bargaining table in labor contract negotiations and arbitrations. David has presented numerous on-site training seminars for supervisors and management personnel on a variety of labor and employment issues.
Starting at the inside of a company, David has extensive experience representing businesses throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. When businesses have to deal with the improper actions of their directors and/or employees, David has represented companies in breach of fiduciary duty, trade secret, tortious interference and business conspiracy cases involving both directors and employees. In addition, David’s experience serving as outside general counsel to several clients has provided him with the opportunity to train and counsel both directors and officers on how to comply with their fiduciary duties, conflict of interest and other corporate governance policies.
Whether your company is in the energy (such as mining and natural gas), tobacco, health care, education, transportation or retail industry, David has experience helping businesses just like yours, providing both practical and legal advice on day to day labor issues, employment issues and corporate governance issues. Should you find yourself in a dispute, David represents clients in trials, arbitrations and various other fact-finding processes throughout the country.
David’s extensive experience, paired with his approachable, accessible demeanor and persuasive, highly-effective legal style make him an attorney you may want to consider for your team.
David serves as the firm's Hampton Roads Managing Partner. He has been named among Virginia's "Legal Elite" by Virginia Business magazine (2008-present); selected to the Virginia Super Lawyers list (2006-present), including their top 100 lawyers in Virginia list (2012-present); recognized as a leading Labor & Employment attorney by Chambers USA (2012-present); and named among the top lawyers in Coastal Virginia by CoVa Biz Magazine (2017-present). He is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America© for Employment Law-Management, Labor Law-Management and Labor & Employment Litigation (2011-present) and Best Lawyers® named him the Norfolk "Lawyer of the Year" for Labor Law-Management in its 2016 and 2019 editions.
In 2017, the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival awarded him the John J. Kruger Award for outstanding service to the Festival and the community. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Richmond School of Law.
- Significant experience defending employers in the Federal Courts of Virginia and other jurisdictions (including New York, Indiana, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Georgia and California) in cases involving Title VII, disability and age discrimination cases.
- Defended four collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- Defended clients in pattern and practice claims brought by the EEOC on numerous occasions.
- Federal court experience includes three jury trials involving Title VII claims made against employers.
- Extensive experience in the area of labor relations under the National Labor Relations Act, representing management before the National Labor Relations Board and federal courts throughout the country.
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01.12.2021
19 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to CoVa Biz Magazine’s Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia 2021
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12.18.2020
Recent Developments in Virginia and North Carolina Concerning the Department of Labor and Industry’s COVID-19 Regulations
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12.01.2020
61 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business Magazine’s Legal Elite for 2020
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10.13.2020
Williams Mullen’s Litigation and Labor, Employment & Immigration Practices Named in Benchmark Litigation 2021; 15 Attorneys Recognized
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09.21.2020
COVID-19 Comeback Plan - 2020 Business Solutions Series: Does Your Mandatory Training Program Comply with the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS)?
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09.03.2020
PODCAST: New Virginia Laws Impacting Worker Classification
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08.20.2020
116 Williams Mullen Attorneys Listed in 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©; Most Total Lawyers in Virginia
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07.29.2020
COVID-19 Comeback Plan: Return to Work Compliance - What You Need to Know About Virginia’s New Emergency Temporary Standard
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07.21.2020
Emergency Virginia Department of Labor and Industry Regulations Governing Employers’ Obligations to Employees Adopted on July 15, 2020 and to Become Effective the Week of July 27, 2020
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07.09.2020
COVID-19 Comeback Plan: Conducting Reductions in Force Post-COVID-19
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06.15.2020
Emergency Virginia Department of Labor and Industry Regulations Governing Employers’ Obligations to Employees Issued on Friday, June 12, 2020
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05.21.2020
Return to Workplace Guidance: Temperature and Other Medical Screening of Workers for COVID-19 Symptoms and OSHA Reporting of COVID-19 Cases
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05.07.2020
35 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to 2020 Virginia Super Lawyers List; 13 Named 2020 Rising Stars
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04.28.2020
29 Williams Mullen Attorneys, 11 Practice Areas Recognized in Chambers USA 2020
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04.24.2020
Furloughs, Layoffs & Reductions in Force: The Distinctions Impacting Employee Benefits and Employment Laws
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04.16.2020
OSHA Unveils COVID-19 Related Enforcement Plan
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04.01.2020
COVID-19 Legislation - Employment and Employee Benefit Provisions of the FFCRA and CARES Act - Chart
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03.26.2020
CARES Act - Congress’ Third COVID-19 Bill and What it Means for Employers
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03.20.2020
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) - Chart
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03.19.2020
Coronavirus Relief Legislation Establishes New Employee Leave Requirements
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01.03.2020
9 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to CoVa Biz Magazine’s Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia 2020
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12.04.2019
55 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business Magazine’s Legal Elite for 2019
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09.30.2019
Williams Mullen’s Litigation and Labor, Employment & Immigration Practices Named in Benchmark Litigation 2020; 14 Attorneys Recognized
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08.15.2019
119 Williams Mullen Attorneys Listed in 2020 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©
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04.25.2019
30 Williams Mullen Attorneys, 12 Practice Areas Recognized in Chambers USA 2019
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04.10.2019
47 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to 2019 Virginia Super Lawyers List; 17 Named 2019 Rising Stars
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01.23.2019
8 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to CoVa Biz Magazine’s Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia 2019
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11.30.2018
45 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business Magazine’s Legal Elite for 2018
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09.19.2018
The Virginian-Pilot: David Burton Discusses Role as King Neptune
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08.15.2018
110 Williams Mullen Attorneys Listed in Latest Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©
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08.14.2018
14 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named ‘Lawyers of the Year’ by The Best Lawyers in America©
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05.14.2018
Inside Business First Person Profile: David Burton, King Neptune
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05.03.2018
29 Williams Mullen Attorneys, 12 Practice Areas Recognized in Chambers USA 2018 Guide
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04.18.2018
David Burton Crowned King Neptune XLV for Annual Neptune Festival
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04.18.2018
53 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to 2018 Virginia Super Lawyers List; 20 Named 2018 Rising Stars
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02.16.2018
Williams Mullen Elects Four Board Members, Names New General Counsel
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01.22.2018
9 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to CoVa Biz Magazine’s Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia
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12.18.2017
The New NLRB Overturns Controversial Handbook Rules and Joint Employer Standards
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12.01.2017
46 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business Magazine's 2017 'Legal Elite'
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10.31.2017
David Burton Analyzes DOL's Overtime Rule Appeal for Law360
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08.14.2017
114 Williams Mullen Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2018
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05.26.2017
32 Williams Mullen Attorneys, 12 Practice Areas Recognized by Chambers USA for 2017
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04.14.2017
54 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to 2017 Virginia Super Lawyers List; 21 Named 2017 Rising Stars
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12.07.2016
50 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business magazine’s 2016 ‘Legal Elite’
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08.15.2016
100 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2017 Best Lawyers in America
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06.02.2016
26 Williams Mullen Attorneys, 11 Practice Areas Recognized by Chambers USA for 2016
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02.17.2016
56 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2016 Virginia Super Lawyers; 22 Named 2016 Rising Stars
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12.09.2015
50 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business magazine’s 2015 ‘Legal Elite’
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12.02.2015
Pat Gottschalk and David Burton Article on the NLRB's Browning-Ferris Decision Published by Area Development
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08.17.2015
15 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2016 “Lawyers of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America
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08.17.2015
106 Williams Mullen Attorneys named 2016 Best Lawyers in America
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07.07.2015
David Burton discusses mandatory arbitration agreements with Law 360
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05.12.2015
New NLRB Election Rules Drastically Change the Playing Field
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04.10.2015
Williams Mullen Virginia Attorneys Named 2015 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
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04.02.2015
Williams Mullen Announces Additional Leadership Changes
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03.26.2015
Supreme Court Decision Forces Many Employers to Extend Light Duty Work to Pregnant Employees
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12.12.2014
In Key Reversal, Board Grants Email Rights to Employees
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12.01.2014
Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business magazine’s 2014 “Legal Elite”
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08.18.2014
100 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2015 Best Lawyers in America
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06.27.2014
No Recess: Supreme Court Decision Invalidates Three 2012 NLRB Appointments and Narrows President’s Recess Appointment Powers
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06.20.2014
Williams Mullen Virginia Attorneys Named 2014 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
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05.23.2014
Williams Mullen Recognized by Chambers USA for 2014
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02.05.2014
Return Of The Ambush: NLRB Resurrects Expedited Election Rules
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12.06.2013
In Rebuff to Labor Board, Fifth Circuit Sustains Arbitration Agreements with Class Action Waivers
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12.04.2013
Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business magazine’s 2013 “Legal Elite”
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06.26.2013
United States Supreme Court Hands Down Two Significant Cases for Employers
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06.21.2013
Williams Mullen Virginia Attorneys Named 2013 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
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05.24.2013
Williams Mullen Attorneys Recognized by Chambers USA for 2013
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01.28.2013
United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Pushes Back at the NLRB and President Obama
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01.16.2013
David Burton discusses right-to-work in Virginia media
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12.03.2012
Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2012 Virginia “Legal Elite”
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09.13.2012
104 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2013 Best Lawyers in America
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09.05.2012
Do I Have to Pay Overtime? The Fair Labor Standards Act and the Financial Services Industry
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06.19.2012
Ninety-Five Virginia Williams Mullen Attorneys Recognized by “Super Lawyers” for 2012
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06.08.2012
Williams Mullen Recognized by Chambers USA for 2012
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05.16.2012
Strike Three For The NLRB
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04.30.2012
New EEOC Guidance Regarding the Use of Criminal Records
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04.02.2012
EEOC Final Rule Clarifies Age Discrimination in Employment Act Defense
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02.03.2012
Employer Beware: Informal Intra-Company Complaints Can Constitute Protected Activity
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01.30.2012
David Burton Featured in The Virginian-Pilot Article
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12.26.2011
Gauntlet Thrown: Controversial NLRB Rule Prompts Legal Battle
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12.01.2011
Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2011 Virginia “Legal Elite”
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11.30.2011
NLRB Election Rule Update – A Last Minute Dash to the Finish Line?
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09.29.2011
Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2012 Best Lawyers in America
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07.22.2011
Court Limits EEOC’s Quest to Pursue Nationwide Class Action Against Dillard’s
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06.29.2011
North Carolina's Version of E-Verify Signed Into Law
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06.27.2011
47 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named “Virginia Super Lawyers” and 35 Named “Virginia Rising Stars” for 2011
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06.22.2011
NLRB & US-DOL Issue Controversial Notices of Rulemaking
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04.11.2011
Department of Labor Publishes New FLSA Rules Clarifying Tip Credit Rules and Limiting Use of the Fluctuating Workweek
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02.24.2011
NLRB Expands Regional Authority in First Contract Claims
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12.21.2010
Board Proposes Rule Mandating NLRA-Rights Posters in the Workplace and Announces an Aggressive New Initiative Against Employers in Organizing Contexts
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12.02.2010
Seventy-two Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to 2010 "Legal Elite"
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10.01.2010
Revised ADA Regulations: A Guideline to Compliance
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09.13.2010
Potential New Credit Traps for Employers
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08.06.2010
Ninety-Eight Williams Mullen Attorneys Named "Best Lawyers in America" 2011
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06.23.2010
2010 Virginia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Announced
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06.11.2010
Williams Mullen Recognized as a Leader in Business Law in 2010 by Chambers USA
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06.01.2010
Dramatic Supreme Court Decision Vacates Years of NLRB Cases
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04.05.2010
Appointments Signal New Era in Employment Law Enforcement
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03.31.2010
Understanding Health Care Reform - Employer Alert
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12.01.2009
Williams Mullen Attorneys Receive More ‘Legal Elite’ Distinctions than Any Other Firm in Virginia
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09.01.2009
Employee Free Choice Act Part II - EFCA “Light”
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07.30.2009
Eighty-five Attorneys Named "Best Lawyers in America" 2010
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07.12.2009
David C. Burton Comments on EEOC Complaints
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06.25.2009
2009 Virginia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Announced
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06.12.2009
Williams Mullen Recognized as a Leader in Business Law by Chambers USA
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06.01.2009
Proposed "Healthy Families Act" Would Mandate Paid Sick Leave
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04.22.2009
Are You Prepared for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009?
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12.15.2008
The Employee Free Choice Act: Are you ready for the Obama Labor Board?
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12.05.2008
Eighty-one Williams Mullen Attorneys Named “Legal Elite” in Virginia
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10.20.2008
Recently Signed ADA Amendments Act: How Will It Affect You and Your Employees?
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10.20.2008
Wireless Handheld Devices Foster Communication, Yet Generate Compensable Time Concerns
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09.17.2008
Eighty-one Attorneys Named "Best Lawyers in America 2009"
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06.26.2008
Virginia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for 2008 Announced
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11.20.2020
CLE Institute 2020
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10.01.2020
CLE Institute - The New Rules of the Workplace: The Latest Occupational Health and Safety Regulations Concerning Working Amid COVID
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08.25.2020
The 2020 Business Solutions Series: Does Your Mandatory Training Program Comply with the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS)?
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08.06.2020
Webinar: DOLI Standards
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08.04.2020
Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s Emergency Temporary Standard: What Employers Need to Know During COVID-19
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08.04.2020
Virginia’s Emergency Temporary Standard: What Employers Need To Know Right Now About COVID-19 Procedures In The Workplace
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04.17.2020
Helping Employers Navigate the CARES Act & FFCRA Provisions
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04.17.2020
Virginia Bar Association: COVID-19 Law Practice Live Chat - Part V
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04.03.2020
Webinar: COVID-19 Employment and Employee Benefits Law Considerations
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12.05.2019
10.31-12.5 | The 2020 Business Solutions Series Presented by the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance and Williams Mullen
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07.14.2011
NLRB & US-DOL Issue Controversial Notices of Rulemaking
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01.25.2011
How to Protect Your Company From Unfair Business Practices
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04.14.2010
Analysis of Health Care Reform
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09.29.2009
Petroleum Marketer Compliance 101
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05.21.2009
The Employee Paradox
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04.23.2009
Practical Advice on the Ledbetter Act and ADAAA
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03.18.2009
New Realities in Employment Law Seminar
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03.10.2009
Reductions in Force - Managing Legal Risks
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12.03.2008
Employee Free Choice ActAre you ready for the Obama Labor Board?