Smithey Law Group LLC

09/08/2026

Happy Labor Day!

At Smithey Law Group, we spend every day helping employees and employers navigate the workplace, from wage-and-hour rights to fair severance agreements to policies that protect everyone involved. Today, we're taking a moment to recognize the hard work of employees across Maryland, D.C., and Virginia, as well as the businesses that depend on them.

Happy Labor Day from all of us at Smithey Law Group.

08/28/2026

Claim prevention and employee handbooks go hand in hand for Maryland employers.
A well-written employee handbook is more than a rulebook. It sets clear expectations, reflects your company's values, and can help reduce your exposure when a workplace issue turns into a legal claim.
At Smithey Law Group, we work with Maryland business owners and HR teams to develop employee handbooks and policies that address the issues most likely to lead to claims: discrimination, sexual harassment, wage and hour compliance, workplace privacy, and wrongful discharge or retaliation. We also offer on-site training for managers and employees because documented training efforts may help demonstrate an employer's good-faith efforts to prevent or address workplace issues if a claim arises.
https://smitheylaw.com/services/claim-prevention-employee-handbooks/
Contact Smithey Law Group today to talk about claim prevention and employee handbooks built around your business.

08/21/2026

Negotiating severance during company layoffs can help protect more than just your paycheck.
If you've been laid off in Maryland, your severance offer isn't necessarily the final word; it may be a starting point. Severance is typically a contract, not a gift, and contracts can often be negotiated.
Before you sign anything, look closely at what's actually in the agreement: pay, continued benefits, the claims you'd be waiving, non-compete or non-solicitation language, and what your professional reference will say. Maryland law limits the enforceability of certain restrictive covenants for many workers, and federal rules may give employees additional time to review certain severance agreements and, in limited circumstances, revoke their acceptance after signing.
Too many people sign right away, focus only on the number, or miss the fine print on unpaid commissions or a non-compete.
https://smitheylaw.com/severance-negotiation-layoffs/
Contact Smithey Law Group today so negotiating severance during company layoffs works in your favor, not just your employer's.

08/21/2026

We’re proud to celebrate three Smithey Law Group attorneys recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America!

⚖️ Joyce E. Smithey, recognized in The Best Lawyers in America since 2023:
• Employment Law – Individuals
• Employment Law – Management
• Litigation – Labor and Employment

⚖️ Lisa L. Walker, recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America since 2026:
• Labor and Employment Law – Employee
• Litigation – Labor and Employment

⚖️ Reuben W. Wolfson, recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America since 2023:
• Labor and Employment Law – Employee

These recognitions are especially meaningful because Best Lawyers honors are based on peer review within the legal profession. We’re grateful to our colleagues for the recognition and proud of Joyce, Lisa, and Reuben for their continued dedication to our clients and to excellence in employment law.

Congratulations to all of the attorneys recognized in the 2027 editions!

Best Lawyers Login Page: Log-in or register for a Best Lawyers account today.

08/14/2026

Do you need an Annapolis, MD Sexual Abuse and Harassment Attorney? We're here to help.
Sexual harassment at work doesn't always look like what people expect. It can be unwelcome advances, inappropriate comments, or a pattern of behavior that makes your workplace feel hostile, even if you never explicitly objected. Courts look at the full picture and all of the surrounding facts and circumstances, not just whether you objected in the moment.
At Smithey Law Group, we represent both employees and employers in these cases, so we understand how they play out from every angle. Led by founder Joyce E. Smithey, who brings over 25 years of employment law experience, our team is ready to listen, explain your options, and help you decide what to do next.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
https://smitheylaw.com/services/sexual-abuse-and-harassment/
If you're looking for an Annapolis, MD Sexual Abuse and Harassment Attorney, schedule your consultation with our team today.

08/07/2026

Dealing with Maryland wage issues? You may be owed more than you think.
Unpaid overtime. Missing commissions. Incorrect paycheck deductions. Wages that never show up after you're let go. These are all potential signs of wage theft, and Maryland law may provide real options to recover unpaid wages.
At Smithey Law Group, we help employees get the pay they've earned, whether it is unpaid overtime, misclassification, or wages withheld after termination. When an employer willfully withholds wages in bad faith, Maryland's Wage Payment and Collection Law may allow a court to award up to three times the unpaid wages plus attorney's fees and costs.
You worked for that money. Let's help you understand your options for recovering it.
https://smitheylaw.com/services/wage-issues/
If you're facing wage issues in Maryland, reach out today for a consultation.

07/27/2026

Were you fired shortly after reporting discrimination, requesting medical leave, or speaking up about a workplace issue?

That timing could matter.

In many wrongful termination cases, one of the most important questions is when the termination happened. While timing alone does not prove a claim, a termination that closely follows protected activity may become an important piece of the overall picture.

For example, you were fired after:

• Reporting discrimination or harassment
• Requesting a workplace accommodation
• Taking protected medical leave
• Reporting illegal conduct

In these cases, the timeline may help establish whether your termination deserves a closer look.

Every situation is different, but understanding how timing fits into a wrongful termination claim can help you better evaluate your legal options.

Learn more:
https://smitheylaw.com/prove-wrongful-termination-evidence/

07/24/2026

I am honored to be recognized in the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Civil Rights & Plaintiff Employment Lawyers guide.
Thank you to Lawdragon for this honor, and congratulations to all of the exceptional lawyers recognized this year.

Cathy Harris at Correia & Puth, Earl S. Ward at Emery Celli and Laura Ho at Dardarian Ho are among this year's Civil Rights & Plaintiff Employment honorees.

07/19/2026

Interviewed in this Baltimore Banner article:

The legislation would restrict the county from hiring those who were employed by ICE after October 2025.

07/18/2026

Love these photos from the award ceremony for Best Workplace in Baltimore. Thank you Tim for accepting for us!! Such a great group of colleagues and people.