Virginia Employment Lawyers

Employment law are those laws approved in Virginia that apply to employers, employees and independent contractors. These laws apply to every aspect of workplace endeavors, such as hiring policies, wage disputes, and firing of employees. Virginia's employment laws set forth particular mandates that need to be understood by both employers and employees.

At-Will and Contract Employment

Most job relationships in Virginia are on the basis of "at will" employment, but in other cases there may be an employment contract with a specific term. "At will" employment implies that either the employee or the employer may end the relationship at any time, so long as the reason for the termination is not unlawful. If the employer and employee are working according to an employment contract, Virginia employment law will govern the different clauses contained in the contract.

The Law of Discrimination in Virginia

According to Virginia law, employees may not discriminate against their employees regarding any phase of the employment, including hiring procedures, workplace policies, and termination. Virginia's laws describe particular classes of people, which employers may not discriminate against. These categories can include gender, age, race, religion, disability, and national origin. Discrimination in the workplace can often be challenging to determine. Virginia has many lawyers specializing in workplace discrimination who can be of assistance.

Interesting Facts About Virginia

Virginia became a U.S. state in 1788 and was the 10th state to join the Union. The state of Virginia is formally known as "The Commonwealth of Virginia", and its official nickname is the "Old Dominion". Occasionally, people refer to Virginia as "the Mother of Presidents", as 8 U.S. presidents were born in the state.

As one of the original U.S. colonies, Virginia's legal system is also one of the oldest in the country. For example, Virginia's legislature, the Virginia General Assembly, is the oldest legislature operating in the Western hemisphere. The oldest police force in the U.S., the Virginia Capitol Police, is also located in Virginia. Virginia has a well-developed system of case laws, as well as a body of statutes known as the Code of Virginia.

Legal claims in Virginia are processed in the state judicial system, consisting of the state Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals of Virginia, and the General District and Circuit Courts. Many landmark cases have arisen out of Virginia, such as Loving v. Virginia (1967), an important anti-segregation case. Another frequently cited Virginia case is Atkins v. Virginia (2002), which involved the 8th Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

Lawyers in Virginia represent clients in all types of legal claims. Although most of these are processed at the trial court level, Virginia lawyers also file appeals through the state's appeal system. A Virginia attorney can assist you by answering legal questions and providing much-needed representation in court.