Denise E. Giraudo

Overview

Denise Giraudo is a partner and Practice Group Leader of the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. Prior to this role, Denise served as the Office Managing Partner of the firm's Washington, D.C. office and Co-Chair of the firm's Women Lawyers Group.

Areas of Practice

Denise counsels and represents management in a wide range of labor and employment litigation matters. She regularly and successfully represents employers before state and federal courts as well as various local and federal administrative agencies. Her extensive litigation practice includes representing employers in connection with discrimination and retaliation claims under all applicable local, state and federal statutes, disability accommodation claims, wage and hour claims, whistleblowing claims under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the False Claims Act, unfair labor practice charges and grievance arbitrations. Denise’s litigation practice includes single-plaintiff cases as well as class and collective actions.

In addition to her litigation experience, Denise regularly counsels clients regarding the preparation and application of personnel policies and provides advice to clients regarding reductions-in-force, discipline, terminations and employee accommodations and leaves of absences. She has routinely handled internal investigations and counseled employers regarding the strategic response to allegations of discrimination.

Denise’s practice also includes the representation of employers on matters of workplace safety and health. As part of her workplace safety practice, Denise provides guidance on federal and state OSHA compliance, challenging citations and litigating OSHA related matters before federal and state agencies and courts.

Experience

Representative Matters

Denise represents clients in industries and occupations such as defense contracting, retail and healthcare. Her recent work on behalf of clients and published decisions includes the following:

Chonte Long v. Motion Picture Association of America (D.D.C. Sept. 16, 2024): Won a complete defense verdict following a five-day jury trial in a case where plaintiff alleged employment discrimination and retaliation under Title VII and the District of Columbia Human Rights Act.
Successfully defended against Motion for Temporary Restraining Order in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida filed against large nationwide healthcare provider attacking their DEI program.
Select Interior Concepts Inc et al. v. Pental (N.D. Tex. August 6, 2024): Obtained summary judgment for Architectural Surfaces Group against claims of breach of contract and retaliation in violation of the Sarbanes Oxley Act.
Secured Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on behalf of investment firm against former employees based on breach of fiduciary duties and misappropriation of trade secrets.
Arbitration award for client, a national retailer, following four-day arbitration hearing in Baltimore, Maryland, where former management employee alleged termination was a result of national origin discrimination.
Full defense verdict in an ADA discrimination/failure to accommodate case after a five-day jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland for one of world’s largest aeronautics company.

Brandon Williamson v. Bon Secours Richmond Health System, Inc., 34 F.Supp.3d 607, (E.D.Va. July 28, 2014): Decision granting motion for summary judgment on all of plaintiff’s claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).

Obtained decision in favor of leading sprinkler and alarm company before Department of Labor Administrative Law Judge, where former employee had alleged that his termination violated the anti-retaliation provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Obtained decision in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granting motion to dismiss in favor of international security company dismissing case with prejudice where plaintiff brought claims for wrongful termination and discrimination in violation of the District of Columbia Human Rights Act.

Obtained decision dismissing plaintiff’s complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against staffing agency where plaintiff alleged violation of Title VII and the District of Columbia Human Rights Act.

Obtained decision in favor of international security company in labor arbitration where former employee alleged termination was without just cause.

Honors

Top Read Article Award for “Executive Order 14042: Survival Guide for Federal Contractors (An Analysis of What We Know, What We Think, and What We Don’t Know About President Biden’s COVID-19 Executive Order for Federal Contractor," 2022

Recommended Lawyer - Labor and Employment, Legal 500, 2019

Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2018-2024

Rising Star, Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2014 - 2017