Employment Lawyer in Glen Burnie

Workplace Discrimination & Retaliation Claims

Both federal and Maryland law prohibit employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or disability. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act establishes federal protections, while the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act extends similar coverage under state law. We represent employees whose employers have violated these protections.

Retaliation, meaning adverse action taken against an employee for reporting discrimination or other unlawful conduct, is itself an independent violation of law. The Maryland Whistleblower Protection Law, which covers Maryland state government employees, shields those who report illegal or unethical conduct from retaliatory action. We have represented employees in these claims, including securing an AAA arbitration award of $750,000 in a discrimination case.

Wrongful Termination & Severance Agreements

Maryland is an at-will employment state, meaning employers can generally terminate an employee for any reason or no reason at all. The key exception is when the reason is illegal or against public policy, such as termination tied to a protected characteristic or to an employee exercising a legal right. Identifying whether an at-will termination crossed that line requires careful analysis of the circumstances surrounding the separation.

When employment ends through a negotiated exit, the severance agreement matters. We have decades of experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating severance agreements for both employees and businesses, and we represent clients in disputes arising from those agreements whether they head to court or arbitration.

Wage & Hour Disputes for Glen Burnie Workers

Unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, worker misclassification, and disputed commissions are among the most common employment claims we handle. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act and Maryland’s wage and hour law set the rules for overtime pay. The Maryland Wage Payment and Collection Law requires employers to pay wages on a regular schedule and provides legal remedies when they don’t.

Our results in this area reflect both the complexity and the stakes of pursuing these claims. We secured a judgment in an unpaid wage lawsuit that included treble damages and attorney’s fees totaling over $150,000, and obtained a $1,400,000 FINRA arbitration award for a client seeking unpaid commissions. We also have extensive experience evaluating whether an employer has properly classified workers as employees rather than independent contractors, a distinction that affects overtime eligibility, benefits, and other protections.

Certain smaller wage claims for Anne Arundel County may be filed at the District Court of Maryland’s Glen Burnie location, a practical option depending on the amount at issue and the facts of the case.

Federal & Maryland State Government Employee Representation

Glen Burnie is home to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration’s state headquarters, one of Maryland’s largest state government facilities. Government employment, whether with a state agency, a federal employer, or a local government, operates under procedural rules and deadlines that differ significantly from private-sector employment law.

We have decades of experience representing federal, Maryland State, and local government employees in discrimination complaints, disciplinary proceedings, whistleblower claims, and administrative appeals of adverse actions. Timing is critical in these matters. Federal employees generally must contact an EEO counselor within 45 days of discriminatory or retaliatory conduct to preserve the right to file a complaint. Missing that window can jeopardize a claim.

Our government employee work has reached the appellate level. We secured a reversal from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit of a federal court’s dismissal of a client’s race discrimination and retaliation claims against a federal agency, a result that required thorough preparation and persistence through multiple proceedings.

Discuss Your Employment Matter with Our Firm

Employment disputes carry real stakes for your income, your career, and your livelihood. We represent Glen Burnie and Anne Arundel County employees in matters ranging from single-plaintiff discrimination claims to government agency appeals, and we’re prepared to pursue your matter through the forum that best fits the facts and legal issues involved. Virtual consultations are available for prospective clients throughout the area.

To speak with Attorney Azeredo about your situation, call us at (240) 734-3033.