Gaithersburg Employment Lawyer

Trusted employment law attorneys with over 50 years of combined experience.

If you are navigating a workplace dispute in Gaithersburg, MD, whether it stems from discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, or unpaid wages, the window to protect your legal rights is limited. The legal framework governing workplace disputes is complex. Strict filing deadlines apply to virtually every type of employment claim, and failing to act within those windows can result in the permanent loss of your legal rights.

Hoyer Law Group, PLLC brings more than 50 years of combined experience to employment law matters on behalf of both employees and employers. Our Gaithersburg, MD employment lawyer operates out of the firm’s Maryland and Washington, D.C. offices, serving Montgomery County and the surrounding region. We have secured favorable jury verdicts, negotiated settlements, and obtained dismissed claims across the full range of employment disputes. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

Employment Attorney Gaithersburg, MD

An employment attorney represents individuals and businesses in disputes that arise from the employer-employee relationship. That includes claims under federal statutes like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act. It also includes state-level protections under Maryland’s Fair Employment Practices Act, codified in Title 20 of the State Government Article, which prohibits workplace discrimination based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other characteristics.

These claims often require administrative filings with agencies like the EEOC or the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights before a lawsuit can proceed. An employment attorney in Gaithersburg helps clients identify which laws apply, meet procedural requirements, and position their case for the strongest possible outcome.

Types of Employment Law Cases We Handle in Gaithersburg

Not every employment violation is immediately apparent. A sudden firing after reporting misconduct leaves little room for ambiguity. But many workplace legal problems surface slowly, through incremental changes in treatment, responsibilities, or compensation that an employee may not identify as unlawful until well after the pattern has taken hold. Below are the types of employment cases our firm handles for clients in Gaithersburg and across Montgomery County.

• Wrongful termination. Maryland follows the at-will employment doctrine, meaning employers can generally terminate employees for any reason. But terminations motivated by discriminatory intent, retaliation for protected activity, or breach of contract are illegal. We represent employees who were fired for reasons the law does not permit and employers defending wrongful termination claims.
• Employment discrimination. Both federal and Maryland law prohibit employers from making hiring, firing, promotion, or pay decisions based on protected characteristics, including race, sex, disability, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Maryland’s protections are broader than federal law in several respects. We help clients build and present the factual record these cases require.
• Sexual harassment. A hostile work environment created by unwanted sexual advances, offensive conduct, or coercion remains one of the most commonly filed categories of employment complaints. Maryland employers with 15 or more employees are subject to both state and federal anti-harassment laws. For harassment claims specifically, Maryland law allows complaints to be filed against employers with even a single employee.
• Federal workplace retaliation. Employees who report fraud, safety violations, or discrimination are protected from employer retaliation under numerous federal statutes. Demotions, schedule changes, reassignments, and terminations following a protected report can each constitute actionable retaliation, which is one of the fastest-growing categories of EEOC filings.
• Executive compensation. Disputes over employment agreements, bonus structures, equity arrangements, severance terms, and restrictive covenants arise frequently during executive transitions. These matters sit at the intersection of contract law and employment regulation.
• Pregnancy discrimination. Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, employers must treat pregnancy-related conditions the same as other temporary medical conditions. Maryland law provides additional protections. Refusing to hire, demoting, or terminating an employee because of pregnancy or childbirth is unlawful.
• Unpaid wages and commissions. When employers fail to pay earned wages, overtime, or commissions, employees can recover those amounts under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Maryland’s Wage Payment and Collection Law. These disputes are particularly common in sales-based roles where compensation structures lack clarity.
• Severance agreements. Severance packages almost always contain waivers of legal claims, non-disparagement provisions, and restrictive covenants. We review these agreements for clients in Gaithersburg, negotiate better terms where possible, and make sure employees understand exactly what they are agreeing to sign.

Why Choose Hoyer Law Group, PLLC for Employment Law in Gaithersburg, MD?

Attorneys With Employment Law Credentials

Dave Scher co-founded Hoyer Law Group and operates the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, which serves Gaithersburg and Montgomery County directly. He earned his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and holds bar admissions in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., California, and multiple federal courts. Dave is frequently cited as a legal commentator by ABC News, Forbes, Politico, and MarketWatch. His employment law practice includes discrimination claims, wage disputes, retaliation cases, and complex matters that cross state lines.

Sean Estes founded Hoyer Law Group and manages its Tampa office. He earned his J.D. cum laude from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2008 and has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in employment law, a distinction awarded to the top 2.5% of attorneys under 40 in Florida. Sean is a member of the Federal Bar Association and serves as Vice Chair of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee.

Proven Results in Employment Matters

Our attorneys have secured outcomes including a $466,000 Equal Pay Act jury verdict, a $282,000 wrongful termination verdict, and over $600,000 in settlements for employees facing federal workplace violations.

Hoyer Law Group offers hourly and flat-fee billing for employment cases. Consultations are $450, and the firm provides 24/7 live call answering.

Employment Law Case Overview

Key Employment Laws and Protections

Employment disputes in Gaithersburg, MD are governed by overlapping federal and state statutes. The core protections include:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Enforced by the EEOC, it applies to employers with 15 or more employees.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires reasonable accommodations and prohibits discrimination based on disability.
• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects employees 40 and older from age-based discrimination.
• The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes minimum wage and overtime requirements for most workers.
• The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying reasons.
• Maryland’s Fair Employment Practices Act (Title 20, State Government Article) prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, and disability. It applies to employers with 15 or more employees, though harassment claims can be filed against employers of any size.

Important Aspects of Your Employment Case

Employment cases depend on documentation and timing.

Every claim requires evidence. Direct proof of discriminatory intent is uncommon. Most cases rely on circumstantial evidence: patterns of behavior, inconsistent treatment of similarly situated employees, or suspicious timing between a protected activity and an adverse action. Emails, performance evaluations, text messages, and HR records are often the foundation.

Filing deadlines are critical. In Maryland, employment discrimination complaints must be filed with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights within 300 days of the discriminatory act. For harassment claims, the deadline is two years. Under federal law, you must file a charge with the EEOC within 300 days before you can bring a lawsuit. These deadlines are jurisdictional. Once they pass, your claim is gone.

Employment Case Timeline

Most employment cases follow a general progression, though each case is different.

• Consultation and case evaluation (1-2 weeks). We review your documents, assess the facts, and determine whether a viable claim exists.
• Administrative filing (1-4 weeks). We file with the EEOC or MCCR as required.
• Agency investigation (3-10 months). The agency investigates, and mediation may be offered. Many cases resolve at this stage.
• Right-to-sue letter (issued after investigation or upon request). You typically have 90 days to file suit after receiving this notice.
• Litigation (6 months to 2+ years). Discovery, depositions, and motions follow. Most employment cases settle before trial, but preparing for trial strengthens your position.

What to Bring to Your Employment Law Consultation

Come prepared with whatever documentation you have available.

• Your employment contract, offer letter, or written agreements
• Recent pay stubs, commission records, or evidence of unpaid compensation
• Written communications related to the dispute, including emails, texts, and HR correspondence
• Performance reviews, disciplinary records, or write-ups
• A written timeline of key events with dates and names of individuals involved

We will walk through the facts, identify which laws apply, and discuss realistic options based on your circumstances.

Maryland Legal Resources for Employment Law

These resources can help employees and employers in Gaithersburg find relevant Maryland and federal employment laws:

• Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act (§20-606) is the state statute that prohibits employment discrimination based on protected characteristics.
• Maryland Commission on Civil Rights – Employment provides information on workplace rights and the process for filing a discrimination complaint.
• MCCR – File a Complaint walks through the steps to initiate a discrimination inquiry with the state commission.
• EEOC – Filing a Charge explains how to file a federal employment discrimination charge.
• U.S. Department of Labor – Worker Rights covers the FLSA, FMLA, and other federal wage and hour protections.

Reach Out to Hoyer Law Group, PLLC to Schedule a Consultation

If you are dealing with an employment dispute in Gaithersburg, MD, do not let deadlines pass or evidence deteriorate. Hoyer Law Group, PLLC represents both employees and employers in employment law cases throughout Maryland, Washington D.C., and beyond. With attorneys admitted across multiple jurisdictions and more than 50 years of combined experience, we handle everything from discrimination claims to retaliation cases to severance negotiations. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.