Negotiating a severance agreement, or severance package, can be part of your departure from your employer. It’s important to ensure that you fully understand the
If you are an executive accused of harassment, you need a Virginia employment attorney on your case. Workplace challenges like contract disputes, harassment, or wage
How can I recover damages for an auto accident in Virginia? Auto accidents are scary and can often be overwhelming. You’re likely facing medical bills,
If you have been asked to sign a non-compete agreement, you likely have questions. What is a non-compete agreement? Do non-competes hold up in court?
If your employer fails to pay you, they may be in violation of the Virginia Wage Payment Act. If your employer in Virginia has not
If you are experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace in Virginia, you should immediately report the harassment to your employer. You should also contact an
If you feel that you lost your job for an unlawful reason, you may be able to file a claim for wrongful termination against your
If you are contemplating FMLA leave, you may be wondering if you can travel or go on vacation during your leave. The answer is that
If you have experienced a slip and fall accident in Virginia, you are entitled to seek compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim.
What exactly is workplace retaliation and what should you do if it happens to you? Well, the first thing you need to do is contact
If you live or work in Virginia and have signed a non-compete, or been asked to sign one, you need to fully understand what it
What exactly is REAL ID and do I need one as a resident of Virginia? Beginning on May 7, 2025, the federal REAL ID Act
Searching for a disability discrimination attorney near me? If you have been discriminated against due to a disability, you should speak to an attorney immediately.
Hiring a lawyer is a big step in legal proceedings. You want to choose the right lawyer for your case. While this decision can seem
Given the political environment, the possibility of political tensions spilling over into workplaces is increasingly likely. Political discussions, while often engaging, can lead to disruptions,
Many people avoid thinking about estate planning and retaining an estate planning attorney. While the thought of death can be morbid, the thought of leaving
All employees in Virginia have rights and protections when it comes to wage theft, regardless of their background or job. The wage collection lawyers at
What are some examples of racial harassment? Racial harassment can include racial slurs, jokes, or comments; racially offensive drawings, symbols, cartoons or gestures; and
Mediation and arbitration lawyers in Northern Virginia can help you resolve conflicts or legal issues outside of the courtroom. While both can be used to
If you believe you were fired unlawfully, you may need an attorney for wrongful termination due to disability. Unfortunately, discrimination occurs too often in the
Whether you have been presented with a non-disclosure agreement or are considering leaving your current position for a new employer, there are several reasons why
Collective bargaining is a process by which unions and management negotiate contracts and determine terms of employment. Before engaging in this process, we highly encourage
When you are facing a medical crisis, you shouldn’t also have to worry about losing your job. Unfortunately, for many employees in Virginia, and across
When it comes to law firms, you want the best. And that’s exactly what you get at Cook, Craig, and Francuzenko. There are several things
Do I need an estate planning attorney? The answer might be yes for many reasons. Such attorneys help seniors through legal situations and can help
When it comes to overtime pay, there can be a bit of confusion. However, it is important to understand whether you owed overtime pay or
Partner John C. Cook prevailed in an important case in front of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The sexual discrimination
Whether you are an employee or employer, negotiating and accepting severance agreements in Virginia can be a complex matter. This is not a gift or
Sexual assault in the workplace, as well as harassment or abuse, is a widespread problem. It impacts all races, genders, sexual orientations, disability statuses, and
United States labor laws allow employees to form unions and engage in collective bargaining with their employers. There are certain rights and responsibilities given to
Anyone interested in creating a non-profit entity should consult with an experienced tax-exempt organizations attorney to ensure the necessary and proper application is filed. Such
Is age discrimination legal in Virginia? 1/4 of American workers are 55 or older, and yet, age discrimination persists in the workplace. Unfortunately, this keeps
Can you get wrongfully terminated in a layoff? Some types of wrongful termination are illegal in Virginia, but they are narrowly defined. So, it only
If you believe you have an unpaid wages claim, you may be wondering how much you can get. Well, we are here to help you
Beginning January 1, 2024, a new law went into effect that will impact over 30 million entities in 2024. The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) created
This week the Federal Trade Commission upended the world of employment law by passing a final rule banning almost all non-compete agreements for employees and
Is withholding tips illegal in Virginia? A large portion of Virginia employees who wait tables, serve or mix drinks, open doors, clean hotel rooms, or
Virginia minimum wage laws are created to protect employees from exploitation and unduly low pay. But what happens when you are being paid under minimum
Do you have questions about your employer? There are many laws and regulations that help protect employees, but they can be hard to understand. Here
Payroll can sometimes be complex, especially when you add in bonuses. We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about payroll and
Whether you are a seasoned business owner or just toying with the idea of starting a new venture, a business lawyer can help you understand
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JOHN COOK NAMED SENIOR FELLOW OF LITIGATION COUNSEL OF AMERICA John Cook, partner of the law firm Cook Craig & Francuzenko PLLC,
Once again, the federal government is weighing into the question of whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. As you know, the
There are many advantages to having a mediation lawyer in Fairfax Virginia. Instead of a traditional lawsuit, mediation aims to resolve the conflict without the
Whether you are a seasoned business owner or just toying with the idea of starting a new venture, a business lawyer can help you understand
Can Artificial Intelligence write a will? While it is technically possible to use Artificial Intelligence for estate planning, that doesn’t necessarily make it worthwhile. Here
Are you looking for an experienced race discrimination lawyer in Fairfax, VA? Unfortunately, race discrimination still occurs in workplaces all across the country. This may
Have you found yourself wondering “can I use ChatGPT to draft employment contracts”? If you are unfamiliar with ChatGPT, it is an artificial intelligence chatbot
FMLA and vacation time both allow employees to take time off work, but the two types of leave are granted for different reasons. Let’s look
Serving in the military is often a high-risk job, making it important to plan for your family’s future in the event that something happens during
Trademarks Filing for a trademark registration protects your business brand, but the process can be involved, intimidating, and overwhelming. A lawyer experienced with trademark applications
When you’re facing a divorce, one of the most important steps is seeking out the services of a qualified divorce lawyer. Whether you intend to
What happens if you die without a will? Your probate estate is distributed under the intestate (without a will) laws of your state. What
What is the civil justice system? The civil justice system is the part of our court system that deals with claims that are not criminal.
If you’re considering asking for a divorce after 50, you aren’t alone. The divorce rate after the age of 50 has doubled since 1990 and
What is an RLT? Generally, a vehicle for estate planning to avoid probate, guardianship and conservatorship, while preserving family wealth. What is the difference
Can I sue my employer? Yes, if you are not paid in full and on time, if you are illegally discriminated against, or if you
These days, one of the biggest benefits to holding a public sector job or sticking it out in the military is the promise of a juicy pension
Do I have a hostile work environment claim? This is something many people wonder, because it can be hard to tell when a work environment
Many changes to Virginia employment law went into effect in recent years, including a partial prohibition on non-compete clauses. Historically, Virginia courts have disfavored restrictions
On January 1, 2024, corporations, limited liability companies and other entities will be required to begin report information about their “beneficial owners;” people who either
Being a police officer is a high-risk job, making it important to plan for your family’s future in the event that something happens to you
When it comes to non-criminal cases and legal disputes, you want the best civil attorney in Northern Virginia on your side. Here’s what you need
Can you be fired for hate speech? Or does the first amendment protect you? If speech is protected under the First Amendment, then how can
Mediating verbal abuse in the workplace can help create a healthy working environment and prevent a hostile work environment. Verbal abuse can be a huge
A mediation lawyer in Northern Virginia could be a good alternative to litigation. But is a mediator right for your case? This depends on a
On Friday, April 28th, the provisions of the new PUMP Act (PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act) go into effect. What is the PUMP Act
If not, thanks to Delegate Mike Mullin of Newport News, Delegate Jeion Ward of Hampton, and Virginia’s Governor, Glenn Youngkin, Virginians will soon know the
Employers across the country are requiring employees to return to work in person as we finally recover from the pandemic. However, many employers are using
If you are interested in creating a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, it is important to understand filing requirements. Most nonprofit entities are non-stock corporations qualified as
Unfortunately, transgender employees often face severe discrimination in the workplace based on either their gender identity or gender expression. If you have been the victim
Estate planning is important for everyone, but more so for individuals with high-risk jobs. First responders, military service members, and law enforcement encounter high risks
Wage theft is a crime, but unfortunately it comes in many forms. Some may be obvious, while others are more difficult to identify. If you
Unpaid wages can impact many workers. Unfortunately, many workers are also hesitant to file a claim for fear of retaliation from their employer. If you
If you have lost your job, you may be trying to save every penny you can. However, in some cases, it is well worth it
When you need an attorney, it Is important to choose the right one. Whether personal or professional, a full-service law firm can offer unique expertise
Disability discrimination in the workplace still happens. However, a disability discrimination lawyer in Northern Virginia can help you protect your rights and ensure that you
Employment law encompasses every aspect of the employee-employer relationship. This includes disability accommodations, workplace safety, benefits, discrimination, wages and overtime, unemployment compensation, and much more.
A golden parachute is a clause in a top executive’s employment agreement. It defines the payout the individual will receive should they be terminated or
With the predicted economic downturn, many white-collar office workers should be concerned. This will be different from the coronavirus recession that we experienced. Here’s what
Historically, Virginia relied on the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) to govern overtime obligations. However, in March of 2021, Virginia passed its first stand-alone
Are you or your employees subject to a “non-compete” agreement? Are you aware of recent changes in Virginia law limiting the use of non-compete agreements?
Reasonable workplace accommodation in Virginia refers to a workplace adjustment that is made to assist an individual with a proven medical need. Employers may be
If you are facing a criminal charge, its imperative to hire a criminal lawyer immediately. Truthfully, a criminal lawyer may be the only thing standing
Good legal advice and counsel are “value added” to any small, medium, and large business. Counsel can manage risk and spot and eliminate problems BEFORE
Many people will need an attorney at some point in their lives. Whatever the reason, here are some things to consider when choosing a Northern
When should you hire a Fairfax Attorney? Everyone knows you need to hire an attorney during a divorce, but there are many other aspects of
ADA compliant website claims can arise from websites that are seen as discriminatory towards people with disabilities. Whether you are currently facing a claim, or
Having your estate organized ensures that your last wishes are fulfilled. While it can be uncomfortable to think of death, it is important to plan.
What happens if you get an out of state DUI? People arrested for a DUI in another state needs to contact a DUI defense attorney
Labor Day is a big holiday weekend, and many people celebrate with their favorite drinks. Unfortunately, this can lead to DUI offenses and accidents. While
Sexual harassment and gender discrimination still occur in workplaces, including here in Virginia. These actions are serious and should not be tolerated. Here’s how a
What do you do if you are falsely accused of sexual harassment? There are a few things you can do to defend yourself. Here’s what
You may be wondering if filing an unpaid wage claim in Virginia is worth it. You may think its easier to just let it go
If you have been the victim of sexual harassment, it is imperative that you speak to a sexual harassment lawyer in Fairfax Virginia. Sexual harassment
Unfortunately, race discrimination still occurs in American society. This can happen in the workplace and in nonprofessional settings. Race discrimination is one of the most
Prom is a special time in every teenager’s life. It’s a chance to dress up and have a night of fun with friends. However, prom
There are 5 required elements to a tortious interference with contract claim: (1) the existence of a valid and enforceable contract between two parties; (2)
Estate planning is important for everyone. Despite what you may think, nearly everyone has an estate, including, for example: a car, home, investments, checking and
Cook Craig & Francuzenko would like to congratulate our attorneys who were named to the SuperLawyers® lists for 2022! Awarded Under the Sections of
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