Sexual harassment at work is illegal under federal law and under the separate laws of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, but each jurisdiction sets its own deadlines and coverage rules. A worker in Silver Spring faces a different filing clock than one in Arlington, and a federal employee follows another process entirely. Mundaca Law appears first in the list below, followed by four other firms that handle workplace matters, along with the practical information you need before you call any of them.
Which Law Firms Handle Sexual Harassment Claims in the DMV?
- Mundaca Law
- Avery Dooley & Noone, LLP
- Bell Law Group
- Graham Law Group
- LawrenceQueen
Mundaca Law
Mundaca Law represents employees, businesses, and federal workers across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The firm is led by Francisco E. Mundaca, Esq., Founding Partner.
Sexual harassment cases rarely stay in one lane. A complaint about a supervisor can turn into a retaliation claim after a demotion, or into a severance negotiation after a termination. Because Mundaca Law’s practice covers employment law, business law, and federal employee law, clients can work with one firm as their situation changes rather than starting over with someone new.
For private sector employees, that can mean evaluating whether conduct meets the legal definition of harassment, preparing a charge with the EEOC or a local human rights agency, and handling negotiations with the employer. For federal employees, it means working within the agency EEO process, which has its own short deadlines and procedural steps. Employers who need to respond to a complaint or review their policies can also turn to the firm for guidance.
Avery Dooley & Noone, LLP is a law firm whose practice includes employment-related matters. Readers can visit the firm directly to learn about its attorneys and the types of cases it accepts.
Bell Law Group
Bell Law Group is a law firm that handles employment issues. Its website is the best source for current details on its practice areas.
Graham Law Group
Graham Law Group is a law firm that works on employment matters. Prospective clients should contact the firm to ask whether it takes harassment cases like theirs.
LawrenceQueen
LawrenceQueen is a law firm with an employment practice. Anyone considering the firm can reach out for information about its services.
What Legally Counts as Sexual Harassment at Work?
Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual conduct that either becomes a condition of employment or creates a hostile work environment. Courts and the EEOC recognize two main forms. Quid pro quo harassment happens when a job benefit, such as a promotion or continued employment, depends on submitting to sexual advances. Hostile work environment harassment involves conduct severe or pervasive enough that a reasonable person would find the workplace intimidating or abusive. Offensive jokes, repeated comments about someone’s body, unwanted touching, and explicit images can all qualify depending on frequency and severity.
How Long Do You Have to File a Sexual Harassment Claim in D.C., Maryland, or Virginia?
Deadlines range from 45 days to two years depending on where you work and who employs you. Missing one can end a claim before it starts.
- Federal law (private employers): Title VII of the Civil Rights Act applies to employers with 15 or more employees. A charge must be filed with the EEOC within 180 days, extended to 300 days in places with a state or local agency enforcing a similar law, which includes all three DMV jurisdictions.
- Washington, D.C.: The D.C. Human Rights Act covers employers of any size. Complaints go to the D.C. Office of Human Rights within one year.
- Maryland: State harassment protections reach employers with one or more employees, and harassment complaints may be filed with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights within two years.
- Virginia: Complaints under the Virginia Human Rights Act go to the Office of Civil Rights within 300 days.
- Federal employees: Under 29 C.F.R. § 1614.105, you must contact an agency EEO counselor within 45 days of the harassing incident.
What Can You Recover in a Sexual Harassment Case?
Remedies may include back pay, reinstatement, compensatory damages for emotional distress, and in some cases punitive damages and attorney’s fees. Under federal law, 42 U.S.C. § 1981a caps combined compensatory and punitive damages between $50,000 and $300,000 based on employer size. D.C. and Maryland law can provide different remedies, which is one reason the choice of where to file matters.
What Should You Ask a Harassment Lawyer Before Hiring One?
Ask how often the attorney handles harassment claims, whether they practice in the jurisdiction where you work, and how fees are structured. Many employment lawyers work on contingency, while others bill hourly or charge a consultation fee. It also helps to bring a written timeline of incidents, copies of texts or emails, and the names of any witnesses to your first meeting.
Getting Help Before the Deadline Passes
Harassment claims depend heavily on timing, documentation, and knowing which agency or court fits your situation. The strongest step you can take is to write down what happened while details are fresh, save any evidence, and speak with a lawyer before a filing window closes. If you are dealing with harassment at work anywhere in the DMV, reach out to Mundaca Law to discuss your options and next steps.
This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.