Practice Areas: Employment & labor, Business litigation, Business & corporate; view more
Licensed in Virginia since: 1996
Education: George Mason University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2017 - 2023 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2008 - 2009 Call today:
571-581-2865
Berenzweig Leonard LLP
8300 Greensboro DriveSuite 1250
McLean, VA 22102 Visit website
Details
Declan Leonard leads the Employment Law practice at Berenzweig Leonard, where he and his team work with companies and executives in the Washington Metropolitan area and throughout the United States to navigate the maze of employment and business laws with an eye towards minimizing legal risks in order for clients to maximize revenue. Declan attained a Senior Professional in Human Resource (SPHR) certification, the highest certification in the field of human resources. He is one of the few practicing employment lawyers in the D.C. region to have received this certification.
Declan regularly advises companies and executives in all facets of the employment relationship, from the hiring stage through the termination process. He is intricately knowledgeable about the numerous federal and state laws and regulations affecting the workplace, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Declan also has extensive experience in handling non-compete and trade secret disputes that often arise during workplace transitions.
Declan has extensive experience in business litigation, including prosecution and defense of breach of business contracts, allegations of conspiracy to injure business, and collection of accounts receivables. In addition, Declan has handled a multitude of corporate transactional work for the firm’s business clients, including the negotiation and preparation of asset purchase agreements, stock transfer agreements, joint venture/teaming agreements, and corporate formation documents.
Practice areas
Employment & labor: employer, Business litigation, Business/corporate, Civil litigation: defense, Employment litigation: defense, Mergers & acquisitionsFocus areas
Labor law, Trade secret, Non-compete agreements, Business formation and planning, Business organizations, Employment law - employer
- 50% Employment & labor: employer
- 10% Business litigation
- 10% Business/corporate
- 10% Civil litigation: defense
- 10% Employment litigation: defense
- 10% Mergers & acquisitions
First Admitted: 1996, Virginia
Professional Webpage: http://www.berenzweiglaw.com/lawyers/declan-c-leonard/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Virginia, 1996
- District of Columbia, 2006
- Maryland, 2008
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 1999
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, 1997
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia, 1998
- U.S. District Court, District of Maryland, 2010
- Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, Corporate & Commercial Litigation Section, Vice Chair
- Fairfax Bar Association, Employment Law Section, Chair
- Arlington County Bar Association, Business Law Section, Past Chairman
- Northern Virginia Technology Council
- Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Spotify & iHeart Radio, Co-Host, "Real World Law" Weekly Video Podcast, Berenzweig Leonard
- Newsletter of the Fairfax Bar Association, Co-Author, Where Can Virginia's Working Parents Turn as Covid Rages On, Journal of Fairfax Bar Association, 2020
- CLE, Presenter, Advising Your Business During the COVID-19 Crisis, Farifax Business Association, 2020
- CLE, Presenter, Human Resource Law: What You Need to Know Now, National Business Institute, 2017
- 2010-Present, Author, https://www.berenzweiglaw.com/blog/, Real World Employment Law Blog
- 2015-Present, Contributor, @ Work Employment Column, Washington Post
- The Critical Path, Joint Employer Doctrine Could Spell More Litigation Trouble, DRI, 2015
- Featured Employment Law Monthly Columnist, Washington Business Journal, 2007
- New Stories, Co-Author, Keeping Up With Noncompete Law in Virginia, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2006
- News Stories, Author, Ex Parte Contacts With Employees: Rules Not Always Clear Cut, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2006
- HR Magazine, Author, Virtually Identical Job Duties Needed for Equal Pay Act Claim, SHRM, 2005
- Publication, Author, Cell Phone Use While Driving Can Pose Legal Liability for Employers, Atlantic Coast In-House Counsel, 2005
- Continuing Legal Education Presentation, Presenter, Arbitration: A Comprehensive Overview, Virginia State Bar , 2005
- Presentation, Health Reimbursement Arrangements, Health Saving Accounts, and COBRA, Lorman Education Services, 2005
- Publication, Author, U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies Constructive Discharge in Title VII Cases, Atlantic Coast In-House Counsel, 2004
- Presentation, Lawsuit-Free Hiring and Firing, National Institute of Business Management, 2004
- Presentation, Legal Issues for Starting a New Business, Arlington Bar Association, 2004
- Legal Report, Author, Workplace Monitoring: Balancing Business Interests with Employee Privacy Rights, SHRM, 2003
- Presentation, Presenter, Current Issues in Labor and Employment Law, American Bar Association, 2002
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Frequently quoted as an authority on business legal issues in such major publications as The Washington Post, Washington Business Journal, SHRM HR Magazine, and Lawyer’s Weekly.
- Lectures to other lawyers and to members of the business community on employment and business law issues
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Volunteer Mentor, BUILD Metro DC High School Entrepreneurship Program
- Legal Services of Northern Virginia, Pro Bono Employment Law Project
- Faculty Member, Virginia State Bar Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course
Educational Background:
- George Mason School of Law, J.D., 1996
- University of Mary Washington, B.S., 1991
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Obtained a Senior Professional in Human Resource (SPHR) Certification, 2012
- AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Verdicts/Settlements:
- Represented defendant aviation contractor and former executive in lawsuit by former employer claiming over $71 million in damages alleging breach of fiduciary duty, common law conspiracy, fraud, statutory conspiracy, tortious interference with business relationships and expectancies, conversion, defamation per se, and unjust enrichment; motion to dismiss granted on four counts and successfully limited remaining claims based on statute of limitations. NorthStar Aviation, LLC v. Alberto, 332 F. Supp. 3d 1007, 1014. E.D. Va., 2018
- Represented defendant employer in lawsuit by an employee’s former employer claiming over $55 million in damages alleging breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, violation of Arkansas, North Carolina, and Virginia trade secret laws, intentional interference with business expectancies, and unjust enrichment; successfully preserved entirety of decision on appeal with affirmance in full by the Fourth Circuit. Integrated Direct Marketing, LLC v. Drew May and Merkle, Inc., 129 F.Supp.3d 336, 339 (E.D. Va. 2015); aff’d, No. 16-1032. 4th Cir., 2017
- Represented defendant financial institution in lawsuit by plaintiff alleging causes of action under various federal statutes with respect to compliance with IRS notices of levy; motion to dismiss granted with prejudice on all counts and affirmed on appeal. Satterlee v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, et al., Case No. 15-1387-ABJ, (D.D.C. July 5, 2016), aff’d Case No. 16-5342. D.C. Cir. Mar. 31, 2017
- Represented defendant employer in lawsuit by former employee alleging pregnancy discrimination under Title VII; lawsuit voluntarily dismissed with prejudice by former employee shortly after responding to complaint. Fair v. ThreatConnect, Inc., Civil Action No.: 1:16-cv-00914-CMH-IDD. E. D. Va. Jan. 3, 2017
- Represented defendant employer in lawsuit by former employee alleging discrimination and retaliation under USERRA; motion for summary judgment granted and affirmed on appeal. Washington v. Coastal Int’l Sec., Civil Action No.: 14-0331-DKC, 2015 WL 4396616 (D. Md. July 16, 2015), aff’d, 633 F. App’x 186, 2016 WL 758034. 4th Cir., 2016
- Represented defendant executive with respect to a personal guaranty on a corporate line of credit; secured dismissal of all counts filed against executive client. SunTrust Bank v. Advanced Business Concepts, Inc. et al.. Va. Cir. Ct. July 1, 2016
- Represented defendant employer in lawsuit by former employee alleging disability discrimination and failure to accommodate under the ADA. Mannion v. Attain, LLC, Case No. CAL 16-07507. Md. Cir. Ct., 2016
- Represented plaintiff in corporate embezzlement case; obtained judgment for plaintiff including award of attorneys’ fees and successfully defended judgment on appeal. Maia Institute Holding, Inc. v. Ferreira. Va. Gen. Dist. Ct. Mar. 23, 2015, aff’d Ct. July 9, 2015
- Represented defendant IT company in lawsuit by former contractor alleging breach of contract, including alleged breach of various restrictive covenants; successfully defended against motion for temporary restraining order. Top5, Inc. v. Core Point Consulting, Inc., Case No. 1:13-cv-1510-JFM. D. Md., 2013
- Achieved dismissal of all counts against government contractor alleging gender and racial discrimination, retaliation, and unequal pay. Cashwell v. Attain, LLC et al., 1:12-cv-522. E.D.Va., 2012
- Represented defendant employer in lawsuit by former employee alleging racial discrimination and retaliation under Title VII; motion for summary judgment granted with prejudice on all counts. White v. Ameritel Corporation, Civil Action No. 8:10-cv-00929. D.Md., 2011
- Represented defendant government contractor and former executive in lawsuit by former employer alleging breach of duty of loyalty and fiduciary duty, breach of contract, violation of Virginia’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act, and intentional interference with contract; successfully defended against a motion to expedite discovery with the court specifically finding that the former employer was unlikely to succeed on the merits and could not show irreparable harm. ForceX, Inc. v. Technology Fusion, LLCet al., Case No. 4:11-CV-88, 2011 WL 2560110. E.D. Va. June 27, 2011
- Conducted internal investigation for staffing services contractor regarding alleged Service Contract Act violations and represented client’s interests with the Department of Labor.
Honors/Awards:
- 2017, 2018, 2020-2022, Top Lawyers in Virginia, Super Lawyers, 2022
- 2017, 2019-2022, Top Lawyers in Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers, 2022
- 2015, 2016, 2018-2022, Legal Elite, Virginia Business Magazine, 2022
- , Top Attorney, Northern Virginia Magazine, 2022
- 2015-2017, 2021, Superlawyer, Law & Politics Magazine, 2021
- Top Attorney, Northern Virginia Magazine, 2021
- 2015-2019, 2021, Virginia’s Legal Elite, Virginia Business Magazine, 2021
- Virginia Go To Business Lawyer, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2020
- Top Attorney, Arlington Magazine, 2019
- Leader in the Law , Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2016
- Centers of Influence Award, Washington SmartCEO, 2016
- , Legal Elite, SmartCEO Magazine, 2015
- 2008, 2009, Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2009
- Named to the ranks of Virginia’s Top-Rated Lawyers as featured in The Wall Street Journal
Videos:
- Be Your HR Best Webinar Series, New Year, New Ways to Engage Your Workforce, 2023
- Real World Employment Law Podcast, What States Are Doing To Close Gender & Racial Pay Gaps, 2022
- Real World Business Law Podcast., What You Need To Know About Virginia's New Data Privacy Laws, 2022
- Real World Employment Law Podcast, Top 5 Considerations in an Merger - Acquisition, 2022
- Real World Employment Law Podcast, You Received a Charge of Discrimination - Now What?, 2022
- Real World Employment Law Podcast, How Companies Can Avoid Liability For Workplace Harassment, 2022
- Real World Employment Law Podcast, Navigating Immigration Law: How to Safely Hire an Authorized Workforce, 2022
- Real World Employment Law Podcast, Companies Beware: Unions Are On The Rise, 2022
- Real World Employment Law Podcast, Challenges of Managing a Remote Workforce Post-Covid, 2022
- Real World Business Law Podcast, Sorting Out the Recent COVID Legal Mess, 2021
- Real World Employment Law Podcast, Vaccine Mandate Update- What's Going On?, 2021
- Real World GovCon Law Podcast, New Federal Vaccine Mandates for Government Contractors, 2021
- Real World Employment Law Podcast, Employment Litigation Basics for Small Businesses, 2020
- Real World Employment Law Podcast, What Does Biden's Non-Compete Plan Mean For Businesses?, 2021
- Real World Business Law Podcast, SCOTUS Rules Against NCAA: What Does This Mean for the Business of College Sports?, 2021
- Real World Business Law Podcast, Business Lessons Learned From the Pandemic, 2021
- Real World Business Law Podcast, New Cyber Rules Press Businesses to Act, 2021
- Real World Employment Law Podcast, Shots, Shots, Shots: Vaccines and Re-opening the Office, 2021
- Real World Business Law Podcast, The Amazon Unionization Vote in Alabama: Boom or Bust for Unions?, 2021
- Real World Business Law Podcast, E-Sports: Video Gaming Meets The Business World, 2021
- Real World Employment Law Podcast, Time To Update Your Employee Handbook, 2021
- Real World Employment Law Podcast, What The New Worker Classification Rule Means For Employers, 2021
Office location for Declan C. Leonard
8300 Greensboro Drive
Suite 1250
McLean, VA 22102
Phone: 571-581-2865
Selections
7 Years Super Lawyers
2 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2017 - 2023
- Rising Stars: 2008 - 2009
