Our Attorneys
Listed alphabetically are the attorneys of Butler Williams & Skilling, P.C. To learn more about a particular attorney click on their name in the main menu bar.
- Joshua E. Laws
- Associate
- jlaws@butlerwilliams.com
Mr. Laws is an associate with the firm and concentrates his practice in employment law. Mr. Laws has significant experience in many areas of employment law litigation and counseling. Prior to joining the firm, he primarily represented employers. He now uses that background and expertise to advance the interests of employees. He has litigated claims in federal and state courts arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and whistle-blower suits. Mr. Laws also created and marketed a series of employment law contracts and employee handbooks. These documents helped protect employers’ businesses by reducing the risk of crippling fee awards.
Representative Engagements:
- Mr. Laws was lead counsel in 16 administrative hearings before the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission. These trials included claims of age, gender, and disability discrimination, wrongful termination, and disparate treatment. Mr. Laws’ clients received favorable verdicts in 15 cases, which were upheld by the Florida Court of Appeals.
- Mr. Laws successfully defended a private employer against charges of gender discrimination, hostile work environment, and sexual harassment. The trial court granted his Motion for Summary Judgment, holding that the employer did not discriminate and did not create a hostile work environment. The plaintiff chose not to appeal.
- Mr. Laws successfully defended a client’s trial court victory in the Florida Court of Appeals. The client was accused of age discrimination. At the close of all evidence, the trial court granted the agency’s Motion for Directed Verdict. The plaintiff appealed the trial court’s ruling. After submission of several appellate briefs, the Court of Appeals per curiam affirmed the trial court’s ruling.
Education
J.D., University of Richmond School of Law, 2005
(ABA/BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Labor and Employment Law; Manuscript’s Editor, Richmond Journal of Law and the Public Interest)
B.A., University of Richmond, 2002
Admitted
- Virginia, 2007
- Florida, 2005
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, 2006
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, 2006
Professional Memberships and Affiliations
- Virginia Bar Association
- Richmond Bar Association
- National Employment Lawyers Association