McGuireWoods LLP

John Thomas represents businesses in matters across the spectrum of employment law. He is a first-chair trial lawyer with a successful record arguing employment issues before the Supreme Court of Virginia.

John’s practice focuses on representing employers in disputes involving misappropriation of trade secrets, covenants not to compete, breaches of contract, and defamation as well as the host of employment statutes such as wage-and-hour laws (the FLSA and state laws), leave laws (the FMLA and state laws), and discrimination statutes (like Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, and state laws). Representative clients include those in defense, banking, healthcare, community property management, wastewater management, and legal industries. John currently serves as the elected co-chair for the Labor & Employment section of the Fairfax Bar Association.

In addition to resolving disputes through litigation, arbitration, and mediation, John devotes significant time to counseling HR professionals and in-house counsel through difficult employment-related issues, including terminations, severance agreements, employment contracts, and lay-offs. He regularly advises clients on implementing drug-testing policies that comply with changing cannabis laws. He offers a practical eye toward revising policies and handbooks and messaging difficult decisions to employees; in fact, John is the author of An Employer’s Guide to D.C. Employment Statutes, a comprehensive online guide to help companies navigate Washington, D.C.’s complex employment laws.