If you are facing challenges at work—such as unfair treatment, unpaid wages, harassment, or wrongful termination—an employment lawyer helps employees understand their rights. Likewise, they help employers understand their obligations. Employment lawyers represent employees and employers in workplace-related matters, including discrimination, wage disputes, retaliation, wrongful termination, and contract issues. Whether you are dealing with harassment or need help reviewing an employment agreement, Bethesda employment lawyers can guide you forward.
At Smithey Law Group LLC, we focus exclusively on employment and labor law. Led by experienced employment attorney Joyce Smithey, we offer strategic, client-centered legal guidance to clients in Bethesda and throughout Maryland. When you hire us, you get lawyers who listen to your concerns, clearly explain your legal options, and tailor your strategies. Our team handles everything from administrative hearings to complex employment litigation in court. We also help employers develop policies and resolve disputes efficiently while respecting the rights of their employees. With our nationally recognized leadership and personalized service, we are proud to stand as trusted employment attorneys for individuals and businesses in Bethesda.
What Is Employment Law?
Employment law is a collection of state and federal laws that govern the relationship between employers and employees. It defines both parties’ legal responsibilities in the workplace and helps ensure employees receive fair treatment while allowing employers to retain control over their businesses.
Key areas of employment law include:
- Wage and hour laws—regulate overtime pay, minimum wage, and employee classifications;
- Discrimination and harassment laws—prohibit unfair treatment based on protected characteristics;
- Family and medical leave rights—allow eligible employees to take time off for specific personal or family reasons;
- Wrongful termination protections—limit the circumstances under which an employer may lawfully fire an employee;
- Employment contracts and non-competes—define the terms of employment and post-employment restrictions that may limit where and how an employee can work after leaving a job;
- Retaliation protections—prevent punishment for reporting misconduct or asserting legal rights;
- Workplace safety regulations—help ensure employers provide a safe and healthy working environment;
- Severance agreements—outline compensation and conditions when employment ends; and
- Whistleblower protections—shield employees who report illegal or unethical practices from retaliation.
Maryland is an at-will employment state, so either the employer or employee can end the working relationship at any time for almost any reason—except reasons forbidden by state or federal law.
What Do Our Bethesda Employment Law Attorneys Do?
Employment law attorneys assist with a broad range of legal issues in the workplace. Our services include:
- Identifying violations of employment law;
- Explaining legal rights and obligations under Maryland and federal law;
- Filing complaints with state or federal agencies;
- Representing clients in mediation, arbitration, and litigation;
- Negotiating employment contracts, severance agreements, or settlements to protect your financial and professional interests; and
- Ensuring that workplace policies and procedures follow the law.
If you are facing a legal issue at work, employment attorneys can help you gather documentation, assess your options, and make informed choices.
Wrongful Termination
Despite being an at-will state, there are reasons an employer cannot rely on to fire someone. If an employer terminates an employee’s job based on a prohibited reason, it may be a wrongful termination. 
Wrongful termination may occur when the employer ends the employment relationship:
- In violation of an employment contract;
- Based on a protected characteristic (i.e., discrimination);
- In retaliation for the employee participating in protected activities; or
- Against Maryland public policy, as made clear by Maryland law.
Employment law attorneys in Bethesda can help employees determine whether a termination was lawful.
Changes to Terms and Conditions of Employment
Depending on the circumstances, employees may also have a legal claim if an employer’s unlawful actions (or failures to act) negatively impact the terms or conditions of their employment. Changes to the terms or conditions of employment may look like:
- Demotion or reduction in hours,
- Unwarranted discipline,
- Modifying job duties, or
- Taking away supervisory responsibilities.
Changes to the terms or conditions of your job, like termination, can be based on any reason—except reasons made illegal under federal law.
Discrimination and Harassment
Employers commit employment discrimination when they mistreat employees because of certain aspects of their identity or appearance. Discrimination is illegal if the employer treats the employee unfairly due to a protected characteristic. 
Discrimination is unlawful when it is based on a protected characteristic and affects the terms and conditions of employment. You can bring harassment claims based on any protected characteristic, but sexual harassment claims are, unfortunately, some of the most common.
Protected Characteristics
State and federal laws make it unlawful for employers to rely on the following characteristics to make employment decisions:
- Race,
- Color,
- National origin,
- Religion,
- Sex or gender identity,
- Sexual orientation,
- Age,
- Disability, and
- Pregnancy.
Employment attorneys help employees file claims with agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.
Harassment
Sexual harassment cases, which count as sex-based discrimination, typically fall into two categories: quid pro quo and hostile work environment. Quid pro quo (Latin meaning “this for that”) harassment involves an employer or supervisor requiring, requesting, or expecting sexual favors in exchange for perks, a raise, or as a condition of keeping the job. A hostile work environment involves repeated, severe, or pervasive and unwelcome conduct that interferes with an employee’s ability to work.
Employers have a duty to prevent hostile environments—even those not directly caused by the employer but by, for example, customers. They must also respond promptly to complaints from employees that notify them of the existence of a hostile work environment and genuinely attempt to resolve any issues.
Wage and Hour Disputes
Employees are entitled to fair compensation, and if they do not receive it, they may have wage and hour claims. Common wage-related issues include: 
- Unpaid wages or minimum wage violations;
- Misclassification of employees as independent contractors, which often denies them benefits and overtime pay;
- Failure to pay overtime wages as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); and
- Improper deductions from paychecks.
An employment lawyer can help you recover unpaid wages or defend your business in a government investigation.
Employment Contracts
Written employment agreements outline the terms of a job, including pay, benefits, job duties, and termination rights. These agreements may also include restrictive covenants—clauses like non-competes or non-solicitation terms that limit the employee’s actions after leaving. Employment lawyers assist with:
- Drafting or reviewing employment agreements to ensure they are clear, enforceable, and in your best interest;
- Negotiating more favorable contract terms, such as severance or bonus provisions;
- Enforcing or challenging non-compete clauses based on Maryland law; and
- Resolving contract disputes that arise from unclear or conflicting terms.
Legal guidance is especially important when signing executive employment contracts, offer letters with restrictive covenants, and complex severance agreements.
Retaliation and Whistleblower Claims
Employers cannot retaliate against employees who:
- Report illegal activity,
- Participate in government investigations of illegal activities, or
- Exercise their rights under employment laws.
Retaliation includes most actions that affect the terms and conditions of your employment.
Family and Medical Leave
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives eligible employees the right to take unpaid leave for specific family or health-related reasons, such as childbirth, serious illness, or caring for a sick family member. Issues often arise when: 
- An employer denies leave to which the employee is entitled under the FMLA;
- An employer interferes with an employee’s ability to take leave by doing things like discouraging leave, failing to reinstate them after they take leave, or making leave overly difficult to request; or
- An employer retaliates against an employee for taking or requesting leave.
Employment lawyers can help employees assert their rights under FMLA and advise employers on implementing compliant leave policies.
Workplace Policies and Compliance
For employers, employment lawyers play a vital role in minimizing legal risks and maintaining smooth operations. Services include:
- Creating employee handbooks and workplace policies that comply with labor laws and reflect company culture;
- Conducting internal investigations of complaints involving discrimination, harassment, or misconduct;
- Training staff on anti-discrimination and harassment laws to reduce liability and promote respectful work environments; and
- Advising on disciplinary actions, including written warnings, suspensions, or terminations, to ensure they are lawfully executed.
With the right legal counsel, businesses in Bethesda can ensure they stay on the right side of employment law.
Why Work with Smithey Law Group?
Smithey Law Group LLC is dedicated exclusively to labor and employment law. Our founder, Joyce Smithey, has extensive experience handling employment issues in Maryland and Washington, D.C. She leads a team of skilled Bethesda employment attorneys known for their deep knowledge, attention to detail, and client-focused service.
We proudly serve clients throughout Bethesda and the surrounding areas, offering reliable legal support for employment matters ranging from individual disputes to multi-party litigation and regulatory compliance.
Contact Our Bethesda Employment Attorneys Today
If you are navigating a workplace dispute or employment law issue or need guidance on your legal rights or obligations, Smithey Law Group is here to help. Whether you are an employee or employer building a compliant workplace, we will guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to speak with one of our experienced employment attorneys.