James W. Richard II

Mr. James Richard is Counsel with Gilbert Employment Law, focusing on the representation of both federal and private sector employees involving adverse actions, wrongful terminations, contract violations, claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as well as violations of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and related state and local laws. Mr. Richard’s practice includes litigating on behalf of clients in federal and state courts, as well as administrative forums such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Prior to joining Gilbert Employment Law as a Senior Associate in 2021, Mr. Richard successfully managed and operated his own law practice that focused on employment and labor law matters. Additionally, for more than a decade, Mr. Richard served as the Deputy General Counsel with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Local 1923 (one of the largest locals for one of the largest federal unions in the country responsible for representing more than 40,000 federal employees). Mr. Richard is also a certified Mediator and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Investigator that has conducted more than five hundred (500) independent EEO investigations.

Mr. Richard graduated with his Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law; and holds a Bachelor of the Arts in the Administration of Justice from Howard University.

Mr. Richard is a member of the following Bar Associations: The American Bar Association; The Maryland Bar Association; The National Employment Lawyers Association; and The Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association. Additionally, Mr. Richard has possessed the following government clearances: TS-SCI w/ Full Scope Polygraph.