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    Burt H. Whitt

    Biography

    Burt is the founder and past Chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. Burt has extensive experience exclusively representing management in all matters involving the employer-employee relationship. He routinely represents and counsels employers in wrongful discharge claims, accusations of discrimination or harassment, covenants not-to-compete, and government audits of employment practices. Burt and his team offer employers one-on-one counseling as well as management training, including the widely recognized and well-attended Employment Law Update. These proactive measures help employers save time, money and energy by avoiding litigation.

    Burt was recently inducted as a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Additionally, he is a former Chairman of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Virginia Bar Association and is a frequent speaker at CLE and industry events.

    Representative Matters

    • Litigated numerous wrongful discharge cases establishing the rights of Virginia employers
    • Handled many covenant not-to-compete cases, including a number of cases that have reached the Virginia Supreme Court
    • Defended employers against claims under federal anti-discrimination laws
    • Defended against attempts to enforce invalid covenants on behalf of new employers
    • Assisted employers with resolving numerous matters utilizing alternative dispute resolution options, including mediation

    Recognition & Honors

    • Best Lawyers in America, 1999–2024
    • Top Lawyers; CoVaBIZ, 2017-2024
    • America’s Leading Business Lawyers; Chambers USA, 2005–2023
    • Virginia Super Lawyers; Law & Politics, 2006–2023
    • Virginia Legal Elite; Virginia Business Magazine, 2004–2014, 2016-2023
    • College of Labor and Employment Lawyers; Fellow, Inducted in 2018
    • Virginia Super Lawyer, Corporate Counsel Edition; Law & Politics, 2008-2010
    • Virginia Legal Elite Top Employment Lawyer; Virginia Business Magazine, 2004
    • Phi Beta Kappa
    • Omicron Delta Epsilon
    • Phi Delta Phi

    Associations

    • American Bar Association; Labor and Employment Law Section, Litigation Section
    • Virginia Bar Association; Initial member of Governing Council, Chairman of the Labor and Employment Law Section, 1994-1995
    • Virginia Law Foundation; Chairman of CLE Labor and Employment Law Committee, 1996-2005
    • Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association
    • YMCA of South Hampton Roads; Board of Directors

    Education

    • Wake Forest University; B.A., magna cum laude, 1974
    • University of Virginia School of Law; J.D., 1978

    Press & Publications