Overview
Julie H. McConnell focuses her practice on representing clients in complex litigation before federal, state and local agencies, courts and courts of appeals.
Julie defends companies in individual, multi-plaintiff and class action litigation in disputes involving Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Labor Standards Act and other federal and state employment and accessibility statutes and tort claims. Julie also represents employers in litigation involving disclosure of trade secrets, violation of noncompetition agreements and whistleblower disputes. Additionally, Julie advocates for employers before the National Labor Relations Board in union organizing campaigns and unfair labor practice cases.
Julie has extensive experience defending companies against disability access claims brought under Title III of the ADA, the California Unruh Civil Rights Act, the Florida Civil Rights Act, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and other state accessibility statutes, including cases involving mobility and caregiver access and alleged barriers to access.
Hand-in-hand with her litigation practice, Julie advises employers on a range of employment and workplace issues, such as personnel policies and practices, employment contracts, employee separations and terminations and internal investigations.
Results
- Prevailed at bench trial and on appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on behalf of one of the world’s leading mass media and entertainment conglomerates in landmark case involving claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of Fortune 100 company on dozens of individual common-law tort and disability discrimination claims brought under Title III of the ADA and California state law
- Represented government contractor and obtained dismissal without leave to amend of whistleblower protection claim under Virginia law
- Obtained dismissal of lawsuit alleging discrimination under federal and state law brought by persons with mobility and psychiatric disabilities
- On behalf of leading entertainment companies, prevailed on multiple age, disability and religious discrimination complaints filed with state administrative agencies
- Advised employers in internal workplace investigations involving allegations of sexual harassment and race and sex-based discrimination
Recognitions
- Legal 500 US 2023
Credentials
Education
American University – Washington College of Law, JD, cum laude, 2015
Vanderbilt University, BA, magna cum laude, 2008
Admissions
District of Columbia
Virginia
Courts/Agencies
US District Court for the District of Columbia
US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
