James Hammerschmidt

Jim Hammerschmidt is Co-President of the firm, Co-Chair of the Employment Law group, and a member of its Litigation and Appellate Practice groups. His practice includes a range of commercial, corporate, and employment counseling and litigation, but his primary task is listening. The first thing Jim does when meeting with a client is ask, “What is your goal?” In doing this, Jim is able to determine the client’s expectations and whether we will be able to meet them. Only then can he really set about meeting his clients’ business needs.
Jim has extensive experience representing and counseling clients on employment law issues. He represents clients in federal and state court, as well as before agencies such as the EEOC, Department of Labor, and local and state human rights commissions and labor departments. He handles claims arising under Title VII, ERISA, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, ADEA, Wage Payment and Collection Law, and Wage and Hour Law statutes, including class actions. Jim’s clients often need counseling and litigation on a wide range of employment issues, such as breach of contract, wrongful termination, trade secret claims, and non-competition and non-solicitation agreements. In addition to litigation, Jim provides daily advice to clients dealing with difficult employees and employee discipline, and his role as Co-President of the firm puts him in a unique position to apply his internal experience to client issues. He also routinely assists clients in developing and implementing employment policies and practices, drafting employee manuals and preparing employment agreements.
Jim’s general civil litigation and appellate practice includes matters involving real estate, land development, breach of contract, trusts and estates, construction, shareholder disputes, business disputes, protection of trade secrets and confidential information among many others. His critical attention to detail and access to a strong litigation department puts clients at ease.

Saint Louis University School of Law

J.D. (1993)

1993

Honors: Cum Laude

Activities: - Executive Editor of the Public Law Review - Co-Editor-in-Chief of the American Bar Association’s Fidelity and Surety Law - Trial Advocacy Team member - Alpha Sigma Nu National Honor Society

Washington University in St. Louis

B.S.B.A. (1988)

Co-President

Paley Rothman

Current

Best Law Firms – (2013-2018)

U.S. News & Best Lawyers

2018

- Tier 2 National Ranking for Litigation - Labor & Employment - Tier 3 National Ranking for Employment Law - Management - Tier 1 Metropolitan (D.C. area) Ranking for Litigation - Labor & Employment - Tier 2 Metropolitan (D.C. area) Ranking for Employment Law - Management

Best Lawyers in America - (2016-2018)

Best Lawyers

2018

Maryland Super Lawyers (2014-2018)

Maryland Super Lawyers

2018

Washington D.C. Super Lawyers (2014-2018)

Washington D.C. Super Lawyers (2014-2018)

2018

“President’s Citation for Outstanding Service”

Bar Association of Montgomery County

2008

Maryland State Bar

Member

Current

Bar Association of Montgomery County

- Chair, Budget Committee (present) - Member, Strategic Planning Committee (2013-present)

Current

Activities: Treasurer, Montgomery County Bar Foundation (2014-2015) - Treasurer (2013-2014) - Treasurer-Elect (2012-2013) - Member, Executive Committee (2006-2008) - Committee Co-Chair, Bar Foundation Fall Outing Golf & Tennis Classic (2004-2008) - Member, Judicial Panel Selection Committee (2001-2004) - Co-Chair, Employment Law Section (2000-2001) - Co-Chair, District Court Mediation Program (1998-2001)

Maryland State Bar Association

- Member, Special Committee on Voir Dire (2012-present) - Member, Labor & Employment Law Section Council (2004-2016)

Current

Federal Bar Association

- Board Member, Foundation of Federal Bar Association (2014-present) - Board Member, Labor and Employment Section (2005-present) - Board Member, National Convention Committee (2011-2014) - Chairman of the Board, Board of Governors Maryland

Current

American Bar Association

- Member, Litigation and Employment Law Sections

Current

Activities: - Past Contributing Editor, Employment Discrimination Law (3d Ed.) and Annual Developments in Business and Corporate Litigation

The American Employment Law Council

- Member (2013-present) - Advisory Board Member (2017)

Current

District of Columbia Bar

Member

1995 - Current

District of Columbia

District of Columbia Bar

Since 1995

Maryland

United States District Court for the District of Columbia

United States District Court for the District of Maryland

• Litigation: Business
• Litigation: Individual