Smyth County Employment Lawyers

Married, mother, Roanoke resident and Northern Virginia native.

Chris is very competitive and loves jury trials. As a former teacher and prosecutor, he is very comfortable speaking with judges and jurors in the courtroom. During law school, he won several awards competing in moot court and negotiations competitions, placing 2nd at the national ABA Negotiation Tournament in San Diego and 3rd at the National Moot Court Championship Tournament in Houston - the highest results his law school has ever achieved in either event. No lawyer can guarantee victory, but you always get Chris's best effort, and his proven record of success demonstrates that.

Admitted to practice law in Virginia in 1998, Mel brings a wealth of litigation experience to clients that includes practice as a prosecutor and working for insurance companies defending lawsuits, to include defending government officials charged with misconduct and violations of civil rights. Now he represents persons and small businesses in litigation arising out of serious personal injury, employment disputes, and employment and administrative/governmental grievances, such as professional discipline. Mel received his Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, from Bridgewater College of Virginia in 1995, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Philosophy/Religion. In 1998,...

Mia Yugo is a partner at Yugo Collins and head of the Appellate and Whistleblower Protection & Retaliation Divisions. Mia focuses primarily on whistleblower & retaliation cases, labor and employment law, fraud, false claims, discrimination, wrongful termination, and “protected activity.” Mia has also litigated complex constitutional cases before federal district and federal appellate courts, including the D.C. Circuit, and has a special interest in litigation involving jurisdiction, separation-of-powers, and the non-delegation doctrine.

Paul Miller’s association with the construction industry in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area dates back to 1967 from his high school and college summer employment in a family run commercial general construction business. Continuing in the construction industry as a general contractor following his graduation from Virginia Polytechnic & State University in 1975, Paul Miller progressed from the ground up to become President of that company until he dedicated his career to the practice of construction law in 1992. Since 1992 Paul Miller has represented construction related businesses with construction related claims, including mechanic’s liens, payment bonds, and general debt...

Mr. Green is General Counsel, P.C.'s founder, managing partner and leads its employment law practice.

Merritt serves as an outside general counsel to numerous clients providing guidance on legal issues confronting businesses and non-profit organizations ranging from contracts and agreements to the structuring of corporate transactions and business formations. Merritt also represents businesses and individuals in all aspects of labor and employment law.

Merritt received his J.D., cum laude, from the Syracuse University College of Law (1997). At Syracuse, he was an Associate Editor of the Syracuse Law Review and was Editor-in-Chief of The Labor Lawyer, the publication of...

Originally from Toronto, Ontario Canada Glenda Del Evans is an immigrant herself who has practiced U.S. Immigration law for the past twenty years. She is versed in all aspects of U.S. Immigration law and has successfully handled hundreds of immigration matters for businesses, individuals and family in U.S. Immigration matters. Mrs. Evans is the managing attorney and works with a great team of staff immigration lawyers at ScottVassell & LeeRC Law Group, PC. Based on demand, she has also founded a separate division of the law firm B&E Capital Law dedicated to business and employment in areas such as temporary...

Outside of our families and our homes, our jobs may be the most important relationship we have. When you are having legal trouble in the workplace, or were just terminated, where do you turn? John Cook is the savvy negotiator who can get you that severance payment you really need. He’s the steady-handed counselor to advise you through one of the most difficult periods in your life. And, if you do need to file suit, he is the tenacious courtroom bulldog who can bring home the win. John’s colleagues agree he is the go-to person for employees. Based on surveys of...

Lindsay A. Freedman, Esq., a distinguished attorney based at Freedman Law, LLC, has a robust background in handling various legal matters across federal and state courts, predominantly focusing on employment and business litigation. At the firm, which he established, Freedman passionately advocates for worker rights and represents individuals facing injustices at their workplaces. His legal portfolio spans defending and advising both employees and employers. This includes handling cases related to discrimination, sexual harassment, disability issues, whistleblowing, and wage disputes. Freedman is well-versed in numerous legislative frameworks such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act,...

Most people who meet attorney Ben Glass come to know him as a father of nine children, four of them adopted from China, a small business advocate, a non-profit and charity supporter, and a soccer referee - in addition to being one of the top-reviewed attorneys in the area (see him on Avvo and Google). Born and raised in Annandale, Ben has spent his career practicing law in the courtrooms throughout Virginia and beyond. A recognized expert among his peers, lawyers travel from around the country to be trained by Ben and his team in the Ben Glass Center for Growth...

I am a highly experienced attorney who practices Education Law and Employment Law throughout all of Virginia. I am committed to and passionate about protecting your legal rights as a student and an employee. There is nothing I am more passionate about professionally, and I make your rights my mission. Do not suffer an injury in silence. Call today for an initial consultation.

Damon Miller is a long-term disability and ERISA attorney. He represents disabled claimants against insurance companies that have wrongfully denied benefits. He understands that insurance companies sometimes ignore the advice of your doctors and deny valid claims without listening to your voice. Damon is here to listen to you and help you be heard loud and clear by your insurance company. In one way or another, Damon has been fighting for disabled clients since he was in college. He was raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he worked full-time as a paralegal while simultaneously taking a full-time college course load. In-between riding...

Mr. Powers is an experienced litigator as well as a transactional attorney. Mr. Powers serves as outside general counsel to over 100 businesses located through the United States at any given time. Counsel ranges from compliance and mitigation issues to prevent litigation, drafting and negotiating contracts, and litigation as a last resort. He has negotiated and drafted several multi-million dollar contracts involving IP licensing and assignments, business acquisitions, asset purchases, and employment-related contracts. Mr. Powers has litigated matters involving business disputes before Virginia Circuit and Federal Courts; trademark disputes before Virginia and District of Columbia Federal Courts as well as...

If you have been arrested for a serious offense, and the fate of your liberties and livelihood depends on the outcome of negotiations with prosecutors, or a trial in criminal courts — when experience matters in the defense attorney you select — Invictus Law, aggressively defends your rights. Attorney Eric Leckie is an experienced trial lawyer in both state and federal criminal law. As an active duty Marine Officer, he spent nearly 12 years as a Judge Advocate. During that time, Eric Leckie served as a prosecutor, operational law advisor, and staff judge advocate for numerous commands in...

Joshua Erlich's practice includes transactional and litigation projects for both individuals and small businesses. Prior to forming The Erlich Law Office, Mr. Erlich was an associate at McTigue & Veis, LLP. In that position, he worked on complex class action litigation, representing participants in employee benefit plans. Mr. Erlich also served as a legal intern at the Department of Labor, Plan Benefits Security Division and in the Department of the Treasury’s Office of the Assistant General Counsel for General Law, Ethics, and Regulation. He worked at private firms during law school and held a summer associate position at O’Donoghue &...

John is listed in "Who's Who in America", and is a regular guest commentator in print, tv , and radio on law and politics including MSNBC, CNN, & FOX.

John is a former federal prosecutor from the Southern District of NY who handled widely publicized criminal investigations and prosecutions that ran the gamut from securities fraud to a mob prison break, the bribery of Congressman Dan Flood by a rabbi, the federally funded summer feeding scandal in the South Bronx, and heroin-trafficking by major organized crime figures including "Matty" Madonna.

In private practice at the mid-town Manhattan law firm of Poletti Friedin...

Broderick Dunn has spent his career helping individuals and small businesses navigate the litigation process, avoid costly disputes, and maneuver through all types of Employment Law issues. Broderick is a leader in the commercial litigation and employment bar and regularly writes and speaks about Virginia’s new employment laws, workplace harassment, workplace assault, social media in the workplace, and business torts. He also regularly appears in state and federal courts and in front of private arbitrators, mediators, and administrative agencies. After graduating from Williams College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and American Studies, Broderick obtained his J.D. from...

As founder of Lawrence & Associates, Ms. Lawrence has practiced employment law exclusively throughout her career, and is well-known for her work in the employment law field. She graduated with a B.A. from the University of Virginia with honors and earned her law degree from the Marshall Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary. Admitted to practice in 1992, she has represented employees and employers in the public and private sectors. Clients are “impressed” by Ms. Lawrence’s “poise and command of the law,” adding that she is also “very helpful, detailed and patient.”

Lee E. Berlik is the founder and managing member of BerlikLaw, LLC. Based in Northern Virginia, BerlikLaw concentrates its practice in the areas of defamation law (libel and slander), business disputes, and intellectual property litigation. Formerly with Troutman Sanders and Mintz Levin, Lee brings his big-firm background and experience to offer clients top-notch legal services at drastically reduced rates. Lee is listed among Virginia's "Legal Elite" by Virginia Business Magazine and is rated "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell.

JD is an associate attorney at Cook Craig & Francuzenko, PLLC. JD joined Cook Craig & Francuzenko after previously working for Stern & Eisenberg. JD concentrates his practice on constitutional rights, civil rights, business, and commercial law. JDis licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia. He is a member of the Virginia Bar Association, Fairfax Bar Association and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. JD appears primarily in the Ciricuit and General District courts of Northern Virginia. JD obtained his Bachelors of Science in Political Science from University of Maryland Global Campus, while living in the...

I handle serious injury and accident cases. I also handle cases of workplace violence, including sexual assault in the workplace. All of these cases involve some kind of wrongful conduct, harm to an innocent person and a claim for just compensation. All of these cases involve can involve civil litigation and trial skills.

I help employees with important career choices. I guide them through employment offers as well as separation agreements and releases, non-competes, non-solicitations, and other restrictive covenants. If you are transitioning employment, I work with you to protect your rights and your future.

I also help entrepreneurs start, grow, and protect their businesses. Forming a company begins long before filing paperwork with a state agency. Owners need to understand their initial operations, and have a plan for growth. I guide business clients through that critical process.

I advise on entity type and draft organic documents, such as operating agreements, shareholder agreements, and bylaws....

Evan joined General Counsel, P.C. in 2021. For more than eight years, Evan has worked as outside corporate counsel for entities ranging from small tech startups to large multinational trade groups and corporations. For his corporate clients, his representation includes: contract preparation, negotiation and review; mergers, acquisitions and sales; governance oversight; regulatory compliance; intellectual property licensing; and non-litigation employment law matters, among others. Prior to working at General Counsel, P.C., Evan performed national security policy work regarding critical infrastructure protection for the Department of Homeland Security. Evan received his J.D. from the George Washington University Law School (2013). While in law school,...

James H. ("Jamie") Shoemaker, Jr. became an associate in the law firm of Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein ("PWHD") in 1993 after spending two years with a large firm based in Norfolk, Virginia. He became a partner in PWHD in 1996. His practice includes all areas of employment law, False Claims Act (whistleblower) and Fair Labor Standards Act (overtime) litigation matters. He has tried over seventy cases to verdict in state and federal courts of record, before arbitration panels, Administrative Law Judges and other forums. He has successfully resolved several times this number through settlement and mediation. Jamie has...

Joshua Jewett advocates for employees’ rights in all types of employment law matters before federal and state courts, as well as in administrative and grievance hearings. Mr. Jewett has represented numerous individuals across a broad spectrum of industries. In addition to representing employees in litigation type settings, Mr. Jewett advises management and decisionmaker employees in both the private and federal sector who are facing disciplinary action, possible termination, or are being forced out. Mr. Jewett has helped clients in these situations either keep their jobs or peacefully exit from their situations by obtaining a negotiated severance package.

Chris is a seasoned business attorney and litigator with experience helping businesses in both private practice and as a Corporate Counsel to a large franchisor with over 4,000 franchisees internationally.
Chris has handled commercial disputes for clients in state and federal courts around the country in matters ranging from basic contract disputes to multi-million dollar “bet the company” lawsuits. Prior to becoming an attorney, he was the C.I.O. for an Internet Service Provider in Buffalo, NY.
Chris teaches as a adjunct professor at Regent University.
Chris was named a 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 ‘Rising Star’ by Super Lawyers magazine, a distinction received...

Ray Hogge represents and advised Virginia public and private employers, and Virginia executives and professionals, in all aspects of labor and employment law.

Jeffrey Rhodes is an accomplished civil litigator, and a leading business and employment lawyer. In his many years of practice, Mr. Rhodes has litigated in courts around the country. Mr. Rhodes advises companies and executives, representing them in structuring, drafting, and defending their corporate transactions to help accomplish their business goals. Mr. Rhodes has effectively defended multi-million dollar claims and has also has obtained a multi-million dollar verdict on the plaintiff's side. He has litigated matters in all areas of civil, commercial and employment law, including: •contract disputes; •enforcement and defense...

I have an extensive litigation practice with a focus on state and federal court litigation in the practice areas of personal injury, Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA); automobile, motorcycle & trucking accidents; wrongful death; medical malpractice; and employment.

Katie is passionate about educating and empowering others, and utilizes her legal experience to help individuals understand and resolve their legal issues. Although interested in a diverse range of legal fields, Katie is enthusiastic about advocating for the rights of others in matters of discrimination, employment issues, and wage and hour disputes at The Erlich Law Office.

Before coming to The Erlich Law Office, Katie worked as the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Winchester. Previously, Katie worked as an intern at the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in Washington, DC.

Katie earned her J.D. from...

Ryan A. Brown was born in Kansas City and raised in California. His first job in the computer industry began at the age of eleven, building and repairing personal computers for a local store in Santa Barbara, California. In 1993 he began a computer and Internet consulting firm and started the first Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Santa Barbara. Ryan went on to attend Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, where he received a BS in Computer Science with departmental and school honors and a BA in Spanish in 2000. Ryan is a member of Tau Beta Pi, Upsilon Pi Epsilon...

Honored with the inaugural 2019 VLW Influential Women in Virginia, top “Women in the Law” (in Family Law & Personal Injury 2016-20), "Best Lawyers in America” (U.S. News & World Report 2014-21), AAAA 2018 “President’s Award,” 2017 “Adoption Attorney of the Year” (Lawyers Monthly magazine), 2017 MRWBA Women of Achievement Award, 2016 Richmond NAWBO “Entrepreneur of the Year” award, 2015 Virginia State Bar Family Law Service award, "SuperLawyers" top lists, "Legal Elite" (Va Business) and numerous other awards, Colleen Marea Quinn is a partner and equity owner in the law firm of Locke & Quinn, Founder of the “Raising...

John Allen started Waldrop & Colvin to deliver premier legal talent to business client without the friction points of big law. He has a vast and impressive history of decades in world class legal departments across several industries. His experience delivers results in corporate governance, contracts, M&A, dispute resolution, employment and real estate.

Burke Law, P.L.C. provides its clients with effective legal services as they face their most challenging legal issues. Burke Law counsels government contractors and employees on matters ranging from security clearances eligibility denials to the most basic questions about completing the SF-86. The law practice of Burke Law also defends clients against criminal charges, against asset forfeiture proceedings brought by state and federal law enforcement, and maintains a heavy consumer protection and civil litigation case load in both state and federal court. Clients in all practice areas attest to the prompt, courteous, and professional...

Mr. Craig is a partner in the Law Firm of Cook Craig & Francuzenko, PLLC. Previously he was a partner in the firm, Sparks & Craig, LLP after serving 10 years as an associate attorney in the predecessor law firm of Herge, Sparks & Christopher from 1995-2004.

Prior to 1995, he served as a legislative analyst for the government affairs firms of Albers & Co., Inc. and the Center for State Policy Research.

Mr. Craig represents companies, corporations, partnerships and individuals in business, contract law, intellectual property, and a wide range of other practice areas to include estate/trust planning and administration, election...

Alexander Francuzenko is a founding partner in the law firm of Cook Craig & Francuzenko, PLLC. Mr. Francuzenko is a graduate of T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond. While in law school, he interned for the United States Magistrate Judge David G. Lowe of the Eastern District of Virginia, and subsequently clerked for the Circuit Court of Queen Anne’s County, Maryland.

Mr. Francuzenko has been engaged in the practice of law for over 23 years, focusing on litigation. He is a member of the Virginia, District of Columbia and Maryland Bars, and actively practices in the state...

Philip C. Krone concentrates his practice in employment law, civil litigation, and civil rights litigation.

Mr. Krone is licensed to practice law in Virginia and the District of Columbia. He is a member of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, Virginia Bar Association, and the Fairfax Bar Association. While Mr. Krone’s practice covers the general span of civil litigation issues, he is often litigating business disputes, contract disputes, wage cases, and personal injury cases in the Circuit and General District Courts of Northern Virginia as well as the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Mr. Krone has had success in...