As anyone in Washington, D.C. knows, the District’s 911 call and dispatch center has been plagued with critical failures. We are proud to represent Cleo Subido who fought to address these issues and improve transparency at the agency–and was fired because of it.
To see the full interview, click here.
Speaking up about or reporting your employer’s wrongdoing should never place a target on your back. Here at Gilbert Employment Law, P.C., we understand that brave and ethical action can be risky, and we never stop fighting for our clients in pursuit of the justice they deserve. If you are facing retaliation in the workplace for blowing the whistle, contact us here.
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About Gilbert Employment Law, P.C. – Gilbert Employment Law, P.C., is the worker’s voice in litigation involving employee rights violations. Gilbert’s attorneys are highly skilled in representing federal employees before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and other federal administrative agencies. Gilbert Employment Law, P.C., has also represented employees in county and state courts, as well as U.S. District and Appeals Courts.
For additional information, please visit https://www.gelawyer.com/
]]>The Lifetime Achievement Award “recognizes those with sustained dedication to protecting the rights of employees in the Washington metropolitan area, and as a leader in our community. The award is reserved for occasions when the accomplishments of an individual are so extraordinary that they should be recognized.”
Joseph is an exceptional leader in the firm, his community and beyond, with an unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights of workers. This honor is incredibly well-deserved.
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About Gilbert Employment Law, P.C. – Gilbert Employment Law, P.C., is the worker’s voice in litigation involving employee rights violations. Gilbert’s attorneys are highly skilled in representing federal employees before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and other federal administrative agencies. Gilbert Employment Law, P.C., has also represented employees in county and state courts, as well as U.S. District and Appeals Courts.
For additional information, please visit https://www.gelawyer.com/
]]>ANNAPOLIS, MD – David Boshea, a former executive vice president at Annapolis-based Compass Marketing, was awarded $540,000 plus interest by a federal jury after the company refused to pay him the severance stipulated in his contract. David Boshea is represented by the law firms Gilbert Employment Law and Jordan & Zito. Judge Ellen Hollander who presided over the trial will consider Boshea’s request for an additional amount to reimburse him for litigation costs and attorneys’ fees.
At the conclusion of the trial, which began on February 20, 2024, the jury found Compass was not only in breach of the employment contract but also violated the Maryland Wage Payment and Collection Law.
“Losing my position and dealing with my former employer flatly refusing to honor its obligations – just days before a global pandemic shut down our economy – was not only incredibly frustrating but, frankly, terrifying,” said David Boshea. “It’s unfortunate that it took four years and a jury trial for this wrong to be made right, but I’m grateful that I can now move forward.”
Compass laid off Mr. Boshea in early March 2020 and refused to pay him the full severance – 3 times his annual salary – stipulated in his contract. Mr. Boshea tried to engage his former employer on the issue, but Compass refused. Mr. Boshea filed his lawsuit in February 2021.
“When the future was incredibly uncertain for David and countless workers across the country, Compass tried to take advantage of him,” said Thomas J. Gagliardo, Of Counsel at Gilbert Employment Law. “Thankfully there are strong laws in place in Maryland that protect employees like Mr. Boshea in situations like these. We are pleased that the jury agreed and delivered Mr. Boshea the justice he deserves.”
“We’re proud to see Mr. Boshea emerge victorious from this fight for accountability after his former employer flouted both the law and their obligations to him,” said lead attorney Gregory Jordan, of Jordan & Zito. “Compass should never have tried to withhold the severance and we’re happy to have secured a measure of justice for him.”
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About Gilbert Employment Law, P.C. – Gilbert Employment Law, P.C., is the worker’s voice in litigation involving employee rights violations. Gilbert’s attorneys are highly skilled in representing federal employees before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and other federal administrative agencies. Gilbert Employment Law, P.C., has also represented employees in county and state courts, as well as U.S. District and Appeals Courts.
For additional information, please visit https://www.gelawyer.com/
About Jordan & Zito LLC – At Jordan & Zito, we focus on practical business solutions. Creativity is the hallmark of our practice, as we work efficiently and effectively to get to the heart of your business litigation, business bankruptcy or debt problem. We design our dispute resolution strategies and transactional solutions to fit the unique needs of each business we work with — and that starts by listening to our clients’ concerns.
For additional information, please visit https://www.jz-llc.com
]]>GEL Senior Associate David A. Karman was quoted in both Law360 and the Baltimore Banner on the favorable verdict. “Mr. Fletcher showed incredible fortitude in the face of disgusting mistreatment. While nothing can fully repair the emotional and economic damage that this abuse caused him, today’s verdict delivers an important measure of justice,” Karman said. “We are proud to have helped make things right for him and his family.” Click here to read more.
Mr. Fletcher was represented by David A. Karman, Gary Gilbert, Shannon Leary, and Olivia Miller from Gilbert Employment Law, P.C. If you have been subjected to racial harassment, GEL may be able to help you.
]]>The case, co-counseled by GEL, alleges that pregnant CBP employees were systematically forced to give up duties, and onto temporary light duty (“TLD”), after informing supervisors of their pregnancies in violation of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 19878. Following this decision, all CBP employees who were placed on temporary light duty due to their pregnancy after July 18, 2016.
GEL partner and co-counsel Cori Cohen was quoted in the Federal News Network’s article on the EEOC’s decision. She told the Federal News Network “The agency implemented a widespread policy based on patriarchal stereotypes about the abilities of pregnant women.” To read the full article, click here.
You can read the decision here. If you believe you are a member of the class, please contact class counsel by email at cbpcase@gelawyer.com or telephone at (301) 608-0884.
]]>Historically, when a partial or total government shutdown occurred due to a lapse in appropriations, most furloughed federal employees were not guaranteed back pay for the furlough period (although “excepted employees” who were required to work without pay during the furlough were guaranteed back pay after the budget was ultimately approved). Instead, back pay for non-working furloughed employees had to be approved ad hoc by Congress for each such furlough. While back pay was often approved, its approval was not guaranteed, increasing stress on furloughed federal employees.
However, in 2019, Congress passed Public Law 116-1, the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, as previously discussed on this blog. This statute, codified at 31 U.S.C. § 1341(c), guarantees federal employees—whether or not they are furloughed—back pay once Congress approves appropriations, whether by continuing resolution or approval of a new budget for an affected agency. However, Congress has to approve appropriations to pay federal employees first, leaving federal employees (even exempt employees who have to continue working without paychecks during the shutdown to keep essential operations open.
Unfortunately, the statute does not provide for interest on the delayed payment in its express text. Attempts in the courts to seek interest under the Back Pay Act for delay in payment so far have not proven successful. For example, a lawsuit stemming from the 2019 shutdown resulted in a 2-1 split decision by the Federal Circuit, with the panel majority finding that interest (and other Back Pay Act remedies) were not available for the delay in payment. See, e.g., Abrantes v. United States, 54 F.4th 1332 (Fed.Cir. 2022).
If you are a federal employee affected by furloughs and wish to discuss your rights, please consider contacting Gilbert Employment Law to request an initial consultation.
]]>Ms. Wilson’s comments to the Sun come after she co-authored an article, along with Julie Werner-Simon, this Spring for the Maryland Bar Association regarding implications of Maryland’s new law on employers. Read the MSBA article, entitled “Maryland’s New Recreational Marijuana Law: Suggestions for Maryland’s Polcymakers & Employers” here.
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