Marina Burton Blickley is an experienced counselor and litigator representing companies and employers of all sizes.
As a counselor, Marina provides employers with advice and risk assessment regarding all aspects of the employment life cycle from recruitment, hiring, job classification, compensation, evaluation, performance management, terminations, reductions in force, and complaint investigation and resolution. With a focus on limiting potential legal risk, Marina works with clients to develop and maintain policies and practices that are not just legally compliant but also feasible for their workplace.
Marina counsels clients regarding: evaluation of employee family or medical leave requests, disability accommodation requests, classification of workers as employees or independent contractors, classification of employees as exempt or non-exempt under FLSA, drafting and negotiating executive employment agreements, non-competition and non-disclosure agreements, and severance agreements. Marina also conducts training of supervisors and other staff regarding EEO compliance, harassment/discrimination avoidance, and wage and hour laws.
Marina also advises government contractors on compliance including equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, Service Contract Labor Standards (formerly Service Contract Act), Fair Labor Standards Act, False Claims Act, and development of handbook and codes of business ethics and conduct.
Marina is also an experienced litigator and advocate assisting companies and employers in litigation arising from business and employment disputes. Marina has represented employers defending claims of employment discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment, failure to accommodate, wage and hour violations, and retaliation before the EEOC, DOL, OFCCP, state agencies, and local state and federal courts. Marina also represents companies in enforcement of restrictive covenants, theft of trade secrets, and breach of contract actions. Marina has also represented government contractor clients in bid protests before the GAO.
Marina has been named to the Virginia “Rising Stars” lists for employment and labor law for four consecutive years. She has also been named to the District of Columbia “Rising Stars” lists for employment and labor for three consecutive years.
