Harrison E. Richards

Harrison Richards practices in the firm’s commercial litigation group with a primary focus on employment litigation defense. Harrison regularly represents employers across a wide range of industries in both state and federal courts, defending against claims involving discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour violations, and other employment-related disputes. He also represents employers in administrative proceedings before agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), and routinely participates in mediations to resolve disputes efficiently and effectively.

In addition to his litigation work, Harrison provides day-to-day counsel to employers on a broad spectrum of workplace issues. He regularly advises clients on compliance with federal and state employment laws, drafts and negotiates employment agreements, develops workplace policies and handbooks tailored to each organization’s operational needs, offers practical solutions to complex personnel issues, and helps clients proactively manage and mitigate risk.

Harrison is a native of Roanoke, Virginia and is admitted to practice in both Virginia and the District of Columbia.

A quick handshake

•What is a quote that resonates with you?

The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why - Mark Twain

•If you had chosen a career other than law, what would you be doing?

I would be a college baseball coach. I’ve loved the game of baseball since I was old enough to pick a baseball up, and ever since my playing career came to an end, I’ve had the desire to coach.

•You are a huge sports fan. How did you get into sports?

I’ve been consumed with sports for as long as I can remember, but I would say that my father is the reason I initially got into sports. From a young age, we would watch games together and he would always go out in the yard or driveway and throw the baseball/football or shoot the basketball with me whenever I asked.

Experience

•Represents employers in employment-related litigation in state and federal courts.
•Handles claims involving discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wage and hour violations, and other workplace disputes.
•Represents employers in administrative proceedings before agencies such as the EEOC, state civil rights offices, and workforce agencies.
•Counsels employers on responding to agency charges, audits, and information requests.
•Conducts all phases of litigation, including early case assessment, discovery, motions practice, and trial preparation.
•Develops litigation strategies focused on efficiency, risk management, and practical business outcomes.
•Provides day-to-day counseling to employers on compliance with federal and state employment laws.
•Drafts, reviews, and negotiates employment agreements, restrictive covenants, and separation agreements.
•Prepares and updates employee handbooks and workplace policies tailored to each client’s operations.
•Advises employers on complex personnel matters, including discipline, terminations, leave issues, and accommodations.
•Helps employers proactively mitigate risk through training, policy development, and preventative legal guidance.
•Advises employers on internal investigations involving employee complaints and workplace misconduct.
•Represents employers in mediation and settlement negotiations to resolve disputes efficiently.
•Partners with in-house attorneys and leadership to align legal strategy with business objectives.

Library

•The DOL’s New Employee-Friendly Independent Contractor Rule
Articles
Jan 2024
•Game On - EEOC Settles First AI Hiring Bias Lawsuit
Articles
Aug 2023
•Update on Key HR Issues for Business Seminar
Events
Aug 2023
•2023 Employment Law Symposium: Be the HR Hero!
Events
Feb 2023
•Gentry Locke Welcomes Employment & Labor Attorney Harrison E. Richards
News
Jan 2023
•2023 Gentry Locke Seminars
Events
May 2022