Verma & Waters, LLP

For businesses, executives, and partners in Washington D.C. navigating the intricate landscape of employment law, having a highly specialized and experienced legal partner is not just beneficial—it’s essential. Verma & Waters, LLP is a distinguished women-owned law firm in the nation’s capital, exclusively dedicated to providing expert representation and counsel on a wide variety of workplace-related matters. With over two decades of combined experience garnered at top international law firms, the founding partners, Melineh Verma and Joanne Waters, bring a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record to their clients.

Verma & Waters, LLP prides itself on offering cost-effective, practical, and proven solutions designed to help clients achieve their objectives while minimizing liability. They are known for their legal expertise, problem-solving abilities, and a remarkably responsive and individualized service approach. Whether dealing with straightforward compliance issues or complex litigation, the firm acts as a zealous advocate, enabling clients to stay focused on their core business. For D.C. locals, particularly those in leadership positions or responsible for HR, Verma & Waters, LLP stands as a trusted resource for all employment law needs.

Verma & Waters, LLP is strategically located in one of Washington D.C.'s most prominent and accessible areas, making it convenient for clients throughout the District. Their office is situated at 2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006, USA. This address places the firm in the heart of the Foggy Bottom neighborhood, just a short walk from the White House and near George Washington University.

The firm’s location on Pennsylvania Avenue NW ensures excellent accessibility via public transportation. The Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station (servicing the Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines) is just a few blocks away, providing direct access from various parts of D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. Numerous Metrobus routes also operate along Pennsylvania Avenue and nearby streets, further enhancing connectivity. For those driving, while street parking in this central D.C. area can be challenging, there are several paid parking garages and lots available in the vicinity, offering convenient options for client visits. The professional setting and ease of access underscore Verma & Waters, LLP’s commitment to providing readily available legal support to their D.C. clientele.

Verma & Waters, LLP is a specialty law firm with a singular and robust focus on employment law. They provide comprehensive legal services to employers, executives, and partners, covering a broad spectrum of workplace-related matters. Their expertise ensures that clients receive tailored advice and strategic representation for both proactive compliance and reactive dispute resolution. Their services include, but are not limited to:

• Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention: Conducting internal investigations and training workshops to help organizations prevent issues related to discrimination (including gender, race, age, disability, sexual orientation) and sexual harassment, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws.
• Employment Agreements: Negotiating and drafting a variety of employment-related contracts, including independent contractor agreements, severance agreements, restrictive covenant agreements (such as non-compete and non-solicitation clauses), and retention agreements, for both employers and executives/partners.
• Wage and Hour Compliance: Advising employers on adherence to federal and state wage and hour laws, including issues related to employee classification (exempt vs. non-exempt) and overtime regulations.
• Disciplinary Actions and Terminations: Guiding employers through proper procedures for disciplinary actions, performance management, and employee terminations, minimizing legal risks.
• Leave and Reasonable Accommodation Matters: Providing counsel on compliance with laws such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), helping employers manage employee leaves and provide reasonable accommodations.
• Policy Drafting: Developing and reviewing comprehensive employment policies, employee handbooks, performance plans, and commission agreements to ensure legal compliance and clear workplace guidelines.
• Mergers & Acquisitions Due Diligence: Conducting thorough employment law due diligence on behalf of buyers and sellers during mergers and acquisitions, identifying and mitigating potential employment-related liabilities.
• Litigation and Advocacy: Zealous advocacy in litigating complex employment disputes, striving to minimize liability for employers and achieve favorable resolutions for executives and partners. While the firm's website mentions a focus on "avoid protracted fights," their experience at top litigation firms implies readiness for court when necessary.
• Expert Witness Testimony: Providing expert testimony in connection with insurance-related matters, demonstrating their deep knowledge of complex legal and industry issues. (While primarily employment-focused, this skill can be applied more broadly.)

This focused yet comprehensive range of services positions Verma & Waters, LLP as a go-to resource for employment law expertise in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

Verma & Waters, LLP possesses several distinct features and highlights that make them a compelling choice for employers, executives, and partners in Washington D.C. seeking specialized employment law counsel:

• Specialized Employment Law Focus: Unlike general practice firms, Verma & Waters, LLP is exclusively dedicated to employment law. This specialization means clients benefit from a deep and nuanced understanding of this complex field, staying abreast of the latest legal developments and strategic approaches unique to workplace matters.
• Extensive Big Firm Experience, Boutique Service: The founding partners, Melineh Verma and Joanne Waters, bring over 20 years of experience from top international law firms. This background means clients receive sophisticated, high-caliber legal advice and representation typically associated with larger firms, but with the personalized attention, responsiveness, and cost-effectiveness of a boutique practice.
• Women-Owned Business: A significant highlight is that Verma & Waters, LLP is a women-owned business. Many corporate clients value this aspect as it helps them meet their corporate diversity goals when selecting legal counsel, aligning with broader initiatives for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
• Balanced Client Representation: The firm represents both employers and executives/partners. This dual perspective provides them with a comprehensive understanding of employment disputes from all angles, enabling them to anticipate counterarguments and craft more robust strategies, regardless of which side they represent.
• Practical and Proactive Solutions: The firm emphasizes providing "cost-effective, practical, and proven solutions." They focus on advising and advocating to minimize liability and prevent disputes, allowing businesses to remain focused on their operations rather than getting bogged down in legal battles. This proactive approach sets them apart.
• Responsive and Individualized Service: Clients consistently rely on the firm for its "responsive and individualized service." This commitment to client communication and tailored attention ensures that each client's unique needs and objectives are prioritized throughout the legal process.
• Admitted in Multiple Jurisdictions: Joanne Waters, for instance, is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Virginia, enhancing the firm's ability to serve clients across the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) region for employment law matters.
• Thought Leadership: Attorneys at the firm, such as Joanne Waters, are involved in speaking engagements and CLEs (Continuing Legal Education) for organizations like the D.C. Bar, sharing expertise on critical and timely employment law topics (e.g., Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, Independent Contractor classification). This indicates their position as thought leaders in the field.

These highlights collectively underscore Verma & Waters, LLP's expertise, client commitment, and strategic advantage for anyone in Washington D.C. requiring top-tier employment law services.

As a specialized and highly experienced law firm, Verma & Waters, LLP focuses on delivering exceptional legal service and strategic value rather than offering generalized promotions or discounts. Their approach to client engagement prioritizes tailored solutions to complex employment law challenges for employers, executives, and partners.

Typically, law firms of this caliber structure their fees based on the specific needs of the case, the complexity of the legal issues involved, and the anticipated time commitment. This often involves hourly rates for advisory and transactional work, or project-based fees for certain defined services.

However, for prospective clients, the true value lies in their proven expertise and ability to minimize liability and achieve favorable outcomes. To understand their fee structure for your particular employment law needs, or to inquire about an initial consultation, the best approach is to contact Verma & Waters, LLP directly. While not explicitly advertised as "free," many firms offer an initial discussion to assess the scope of work and determine if there's a good fit, which can serve as a valuable "offer" in itself, allowing you to gain clarity without immediate financial commitment.

For businesses, executives, and partners in Washington D.C. seeking expert counsel and representation in employment law, connecting with Verma & Waters, LLP is straightforward.

• Address: 2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006, USA
• Phone: (202) 888-7877
• Mobile Phone: +1 202-888-7877

When you contact the firm, it is helpful to have a brief overview of your employment law concern or inquiry ready. This will enable their team to efficiently understand your needs and direct you to the most appropriate attorney or resource within the firm, ensuring a productive initial discussion. Whether through their main office line or the provided mobile contact, Verma & Waters, LLP offers accessible channels for D.C. locals to reach out for their specialized legal expertise.

For employers, executives, and partners in Washington D.C., Verma & Waters, LLP stands out as an exceptionally suitable and highly advantageous legal resource for all employment law matters. The firm's dedicated specialization means that D.C. locals receive counsel from attorneys who are not merely familiar with employment law but are deeply immersed in its complexities, nuances, and latest developments. This focused expertise is crucial in navigating the ever-evolving regulations and challenges of the modern workplace.

The firm's location on Pennsylvania Avenue NW offers unparalleled convenience, placing it squarely in the central business district of D.C. This accessibility via multiple Metro lines and proximity to key governmental and corporate entities makes it an ideal choice for busy professionals across the District.

Furthermore, the background of the founding partners, Melineh Verma and Joanne Waters, bringing over two decades of experience from prestigious international law firms, assures clients of top-tier legal talent. This "big firm experience with a boutique service" model means clients benefit from sophisticated legal strategies combined with personalized attention and cost-effectiveness. As a women-owned business, Verma & Waters, LLP also offers an additional appeal for organizations committed to diversity in their professional partnerships. Whether addressing preventative compliance, drafting intricate agreements, conducting internal investigations, or resolving complex workplace disputes, D.C. locals can trust Verma & Waters, LLP to provide the expert, responsive, and strategic employment law advocacy needed to protect their interests and achieve their objectives.