News
January 2008
Attorneys Harris D. Butler, III and William C. Tucker prevail on an appeal in Federal Court. The two attorneys obtained a favorable ruling from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals establishing the validity of a claim for a company’s retaliation against former employees who claim unpaid overtime compensation. The Fair Labor Standards Act, which requires the payment of overtime for all hours worked over 40 per week, contains retaliation protection for “employees” who claim unpaid overtime or minimum wages. The opinion, cited as Darveau v. Detecon, Incorporated, NO. 06-2092 (January 31, 2008), marks the first time the Fourth Circuit has considered the issue of whether former employees are protected from retaliatory acts by their former employers under the overtime law. The opinion provides important protections to workers who file unpaid overtime claims against their former employers.
January 2008
Attorney Michael G. Phelan joins the Firm as a partner. Mr. Phelan was previously a partner at Cantor & Arkema, P.C., and serves as an elected member of the Virginia Trial Lawyer’s Association’s Board of Governors. Mr. Phelan’s practice focuses on complex litigation from catastrophic injuries caused by automobiles, lead poisoning, products liability, prescription drugs, and medical devices.
December 2007
The firm welcomes two new associates to the Firm. Zev H. Antell, a recent graduate of the University of Richmond School of Law, will primarily practice in the areas of construction and complex civil litigation. Joshua E. Laws, who recently relocated to Virginia from Florida, will continue to focus his practice in employment law.
December 2007
Attorneys Harris D. Butler, III and Charles L. Williams are chosen as two of Virginia Business’s “Legal Elite.” This was the fifth consecutive year that Mr. Butler, who primarily practices in employment law, was selected for inclusion on this annual list of top lawyers, which is prepared by Virginia Business and the Virginia Bar Association based upon voting by Virginia attorneys. This is the second time that Mr. Williams, who concentrates his practice in construction law, was honored.
November 2007
Attorneys Harris D. Butler, III and William C. Tucker participated in the conference “Representing Workers in Individual and Collective Actions Under the Fair Labor Standards Act” in New Orleans. Butler Williams & Skilling, P.C. was one of only two Virginia law firms represented at the conference put on by the National Employment Lawyer’s Association (NELA), which is a nationwide association of lawyers for employees whose employers have violated their rights.
November 2007
While in New Orleans for a NELA conference, attorney William C. Tucker helped build a home for a victim of Hurricane Katrina. Mr. Tucker joined a group of lawyers from across the country who volunteered to aid in the construction of new houses for people who lost their homes in the St. Bernard Parish. The lawyers worked with volunteers from Camp Hope, New Orleans Habitat for Humanity, and AmeriCorps, all of which are driving the efforts to rebuild the St. Bernard Parish community.