James W. Richard II

Mr. James Richard is Counsel with Gilbert Employment Law focusing on labor and employment law matters. Mr. Richard represents labor unions in a variety of ways, including but not limited to contract bargaining, unfair labor practices, grievances, and arbitration. Additionally, Mr. Richard represents federal and private sector employees in adverse actions, wrongful terminations, contract violations, discrimination complaints, harassment complaints, and retaliation. Mr. Richard’s practice includes litigating on behalf of clients in federal and state courts, and various administrative forums such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), and the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA).

Before joining Gilbert Employment Law as a Senior Associate in 2021, Mr. Richard successfully managed and operated a law practice 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 who has conducted more than seven hundred (700) 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 associations: The American Bar Association; The Maryland Bar Association; The National Employment Lawyers Association; and The Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association. Additionally, Mr. Richard possessed the following government clearances: TS-SCI w/ Full Scope Polygraph; and Secret.