Declan C. Leonard
Work in Berenzweig Leonard, LLP
Top Rated Family Law Attorney in McLean, VA
Employment, Business Law, Government Contracts
8300 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1250, McLean, VA 22102
About Declan C. Leonard
Practice Areas
- Employment
- Business Law
- Government Contracts
Education
- George Mason University School of Law, Arlington, Virginia, 1996J.D.
- University of Mary Washington , 1991B.S.
Representative Cases
- Represented defendant employer in lawsuit by an employee's former employer claiming over $55 million in damages alleging breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, violation of Arkansas, North Carolina, and Virginia trade secret laws, intentional interference with business expectancies, and unjust enrichment; successfully preserved entirety of decision on appeal with affirmance in full by the Fourth Circuit. Integrated Direct Marketing, LLC v. Drew May and Merkle, Inc., 129 F.Supp.3d 336, 339 (E.D. Va. 2015); aff’d, No. 16-1032 (4th Cir. 2017)
- Represented defendant financial institution in lawsuit by plaintiff alleging causes of action under various federal statutes with respect to compliance with IRS notices of levy; motion to dismiss granted with prejudice on all counts and affirmed on appeal. Satterlee v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, et al., Case No. 15-1387-ABJ, (D.D.C. July 5, 2016), aff’d Case No. 16-5342 (D.C. Cir. Mar. 31, 2017)
- Represented defendant employer in lawsuit by former employee alleging pregnancy discrimination under Title VII; lawsuit voluntarily dismissed with prejudice by former employee shortly after responding to complaint. Fair v. ThreatConnect, Inc., Civil Action No.: 1:16-cv-00914-CMH-IDD (E. D. Va. Jan. 3, 2017)
- Represented defendant employer in lawsuit by former employee alleging discrimination and retaliation under USERRA; motion for summary judgment granted and affirmed on appeal. Washington v. Coastal Int’l Sec., Civil Action No.: 14-0331-DKC, 2015 WL 4396616 (D. Md. July 16, 2015), aff’d, 633 F. App’x 186, 2016 WL 758034 (4th Cir. 2016)
- Represented defendant employer in lawsuit by former employee alleging disability discrimination and failure to accommodate under the ADA. Mannion v. Attain, LLC, Case No. CAL 16-07507, (Md. Cir. Ct. 2016)
- Represented plaintiff in corporate embezzlement case; obtained judgment for plaintiff including award of attorneys' fees and successfully defended judgment on appeal. Maia Institute Holding, Inc. v. Ferreira, (Va. Gen. Dist. Ct. Mar. 23, 2015, aff’d Ct. July 9, 2015)
- Represented defendant executive with respect to a personal guaranty on a corporate line of credit; secured dismissal of all counts filed against executive client.SunTrust Bank v. Advanced Business Concepts, Inc. et al., (Va. Cir. Ct. July 1, 2016)
- Represented defendant IT company in lawsuit by former contractor alleging breach of contract, including alleged breach of various restrictive covenants; successfully defended against motion for temporary restraining order. Top5, Inc. v. Core Point Consulting, Inc., Case No. 1:13-cv-1510-JFM, (D. Md 2013)
- Achieved dismissal of all counts against government contractor alleging gender and racial discrimination, retaliation, and unequal pay. Cashwell v. Attain, LLC et al., 1:12-cv-522 (E.D.Va. 2012)
- Represented defendant employer in lawsuit by former employee alleging racial discrimination and retaliation under Title VII; motion for summary judgment granted with prejudice on all counts. White v. Ameritel Corporation, Civil Action No. 8:10-cv-00929, (D.Md. 2011)
- Represented defendant government contractor and former executive in lawsuit by former employer alleging breach of duty of loyalty and fiduciary duty, breach of contract, violation of Virginia's Uniform Trade Secrets Act, and intentional interference with contract; successfully defended against a motion to expedite discovery with the court specifically finding that the former employer was unlikely to succeed on the merits and could not show irreparable harm. ForceX, Inc. v. Technology Fusion, LLCet al., Case No. 4:11-CV-88, 2011 WL 2560110, (E.D. Va. June 27, 2011)
- Conducted internal investigation for staffing services contractor regarding alleged Service Contract Act violations and represented client's interests with the Department of Labor.
- Represented defendant aviation contractor and former executive in lawsuit by former employer claiming over $71 million in damages alleging breach of fiduciary duty, common law conspiracy, fraud, statutory conspiracy, tortious interference with business relationships and expectancies, conversion, defamation per se, and unjust enrichment; motion to dismiss granted on four counts and successfully limited remaining claims based on statute of limitations., NorthStar Aviation, LLC v. Alberto, 332 F. Supp. 3d 1007, 1014 (E.D. Va. 2018)
- Represented defendant employer in lawsuit by an employee's former employer claiming over $55 million in damages alleging breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, violation of Arkansas, North Carolina, and Virginia trade secret laws, intentional interference with business expectancies, and unjust enrichment; successfully preserved entirety of decision on appeal with affirmance in full by the Fourth Circuit. Integrated Direct Marketing, LLC v. Drew May and Merkle, Inc., 129 F.Supp.3d 336, 339 (E.D. Va. 2015); aff’d, No. 16-1032 (4th Cir. 2017)
- Represented defendant financial institution in lawsuit by plaintiff alleging causes of action under various federal statutes with respect to compliance with IRS notices of levy; motion to dismiss granted with prejudice on all counts and affirmed on appeal. Satterlee v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, et al., Case No. 15-1387-ABJ, (D.D.C. July 5, 2016), aff’d Case No. 16-5342 (D.C. Cir. Mar. 31, 2017)
- Represented defendant employer in lawsuit by former employee alleging pregnancy discrimination under Title VII; lawsuit voluntarily dismissed with prejudice by former employee shortly after responding to complaint. Fair v. ThreatConnect, Inc., Civil Action No.: 1:16-cv-00914-CMH-IDD (E. D. Va. Jan. 3, 2017)
- Represented defendant employer in lawsuit by former employee alleging discrimination and retaliation under USERRA; motion for summary judgment granted and affirmed on appeal. Washington v. Coastal Int’l Sec., Civil Action No.: 14-0331-DKC, 2015 WL 4396616 (D. Md. July 16, 2015), aff’d, 633 F. App’x 186, 2016 WL 758034 (4th Cir. 2016)
- Represented defendant employer in lawsuit by former employee alleging disability discrimination and failure to accommodate under the ADA. Mannion v. Attain, LLC, Case No. CAL 16-07507, (Md. Cir. Ct. 2016)
- Represented plaintiff in corporate embezzlement case; obtained judgment for plaintiff including award of attorneys' fees and successfully defended judgment on appeal. Maia Institute Holding, Inc. v. Ferreira, (Va. Gen. Dist. Ct. Mar. 23, 2015, aff’d Ct. July 9, 2015)
- Represented defendant executive with respect to a personal guaranty on a corporate line of credit; secured dismissal of all counts filed against executive client.SunTrust Bank v. Advanced Business Concepts, Inc. et al., (Va. Cir. Ct. July 1, 2016)
- Represented defendant IT company in lawsuit by former contractor alleging breach of contract, including alleged breach of various restrictive covenants; successfully defended against motion for temporary restraining order. Top5, Inc. v. Core Point Consulting, Inc., Case No. 1:13-cv-1510-JFM, (D. Md 2013)
- Achieved dismissal of all counts against government contractor alleging gender and racial discrimination, retaliation, and unequal pay. Cashwell v. Attain, LLC et al., 1:12-cv-522 (E.D.Va. 2012)
- Represented defendant employer in lawsuit by former employee alleging racial discrimination and retaliation under Title VII; motion for summary judgment granted with prejudice on all counts. White v. Ameritel Corporation, Civil Action No. 8:10-cv-00929, (D.Md. 2011)
- Represented defendant government contractor and former executive in lawsuit by former employer alleging breach of duty of loyalty and fiduciary duty, breach of contract, violation of Virginia's Uniform Trade Secrets Act, and intentional interference with contract; successfully defended against a motion to expedite discovery with the court specifically finding that the former employer was unlikely to succeed on the merits and could not show irreparable harm. ForceX, Inc. v. Technology Fusion, LLCet al., Case No. 4:11-CV-88, 2011 WL 2560110, (E.D. Va. June 27, 2011)
- Conducted internal investigation for staffing services contractor regarding alleged Service Contract Act violations and represented client's interests with the Department of Labor.
- Represented defendant aviation contractor and former executive in lawsuit by former employer claiming over $71 million in damages alleging breach of fiduciary duty, common law conspiracy, fraud, statutory conspiracy, tortious interference with business relationships and expectancies, conversion, defamation per se, and unjust enrichment; motion to dismiss granted on four counts and successfully limited remaining claims based on statute of limitations., NorthStar Aviation, LLC v. Alberto, 332 F. Supp. 3d 1007, 1014 (E.D. Va. 2018)
Classes and Seminars
- Co-Host, "Real World Law" Weekly Video Podcast, Spotify/iHeart Radio
- Co-Author, "Where Can Virginia's Working Parents Turn as Covid Rages On." Journal of Fairfax Bar Association
- Presenter, "Advising Your Business During the COVID-19 Crisis CLE" Farifax Business Association, 2020
- Presenter, Human Resource Law: What You Need to Know Now, National Business Institute CLE, 10/4/2017
- Author, “Real World Employment Law” blog, 2010 - Present
- Contributor, @ Work Employment Column, Washington Post, 2015 - Present
- Joint Employer Doctrine Could Spell More Litigation Trouble, DRI, 2015
- Washington Business Journal featured Employment Law Monthly Columnist, 2007
- Keeping Up With Noncompete Law in Virginia, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 9/25/2006
- Ex Parte Contacts With Employees: Rules Not Always Clear Cut, Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2/27/2006
- Health Reimbursement Arrangements, Health Saving Accounts, and COBRA, Lorman Education Services presentation, 12/1/2005
- Arbitration: A Comprehensive Overview, Virginia State Bar Continuing Legal Education presentation, 4/12/2005
- Virtually Identical Job Duties Needed for Equal Pay Act Claim, SHRM HR Magazine, February, 2005
- Cell Phone Use While Driving Can Pose Legal Liability for Employers, Atlantic Coast In-House Counsel publication, January, 2005
- Legal Issues for Starting a New Business, Arlington Bar Association presentation, 9/30/2004
- U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies Constructive Discharge in Title VII Cases, Atlantic Coast In-House Counsel Publication, July, 2004
- Lawsuit-Free Hiring and Firing, National Institute of Business Management presentation, 6/9/2004
- Workplace Monitoring: Balancing Business Interests with Employee Privacy Rights, SHRM Legal Report, May-June, 2003
- Current Issues in Labor and Employment Law, American Bar Association presentation, May, 2002
Qualifications
Bar Admissions
- Virginia
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court District of Maryland
Other Affiliations
- Fairfax County Bar Association (Employment Law Section, Chair)
- Arlington County Bar Association (Business Law Section, Former Chair)
- Northern Virginia Technology Council
- Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce
Office Info
Other Colleagues
Nearby Lawyers
- Employment
- Business Law
- Government Contracts
The power of the lawyer is in the uncertainty of the law.