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Firm focuses on employee rights, small business support
Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
A new employment law firm has opened its doors in Salem, offering specialized legal services to both employees and small business owners. Haddox Law, located on Texas Street, is led by attorney and managing partner Brittany Haddox, a Salem native with over a decade of experience in the field of employment law.
Haddox Law is dedicated to helping employees secure fair treatment in the workplace and assisting small businesses in navigating the often complex landscape of employment law. “Our mission is to help employees be paid properly and be free from discrimination and retaliation, and to help small business owners navigate the complex world of employment law so that they can focus on their business,” Haddox explained.
One of the key differentiators of Haddox Law is its unwavering focus on employee rights. Haddox’s experience spans a wide range of employment law issues, including wage and hour disputes, discrimination, and retaliation. She has represented clients in significant cases across Virginia, many of which have gone to jury trials—a rare occurrence in this area of law.
“There are few of us who truly focus our time on employment law on behalf of employees,” Haddox said. “This area of the law is one that, to do it right, you cannot just dabble in it.”
Some of the representative cases she handled before establishing her firm include Saeed v. GWMK Hospitality, LLC, a wage theft and overtime violation case that resulted in a jury verdict in favor of the employee, and Burnopp v. Carter Bank & Trust, an age discrimination case that survived summary judgment and was resolved before trial. Haddox has also handled high-profile cases like Pickle v. United Salt Saltville, LLC, a sex harassment and retaliation case currently awaiting trial in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia.
Haddox’s decision to open her practice in Salem is deeply rooted in her connection to the community. “I am Salem born and Salem bred, as they say,” she noted, emphasizing her desire to give back to the area that has shaped her. In addition to her legal practice, Haddox is actively involved in community organizations. She serves on the boards of the Ted Dalton American Inns of Court and the Virginia Employment Law Association, which focus on developing the law to benefit everyone in the community.
Beyond her individual practice, Haddox values collaboration with other legal professionals. “I support my colleagues, and often collaborate with other employment lawyers. The strength of our legal minds together is worth more to me than focusing on any differences that may exist amongst us. And, oddly, perhaps that is what differentiates me from the other firms,” she said.
At the heart of Haddox Law is a client-centered approach that prioritizes accessibility and partnership. Haddox prides herself on being available to her clients and ensuring that they feel supported throughout the legal process. “These are not the type of cases where you cannot reach your lawyer,” she explained. “My clients’ goals are my goals, and we are a team that reaches our goals together.”
Haddox’s extensive experience in employment law, combined with her commitment to client satisfaction, positions her firm as a valuable resource for both employees seeking justice and small businesses seeking guidance.
As employment law continues to evolve, particularly with recent trends in wage and hour protections and whistleblower retaliation laws in Virginia, Haddox Law aims to be at the forefront of these changes. “Virginia law is generally trending towards more protections, especially in the wage and hour sector,” Haddox observed, noting that these areas, along with sex harassment and whistleblower cases, constitute a significant portion of her practice.
Haddox’s long-term vision for her firm is to continue being a resource for those in need of legal assistance related to their employment. “My goal is to be a positive part of this community and the legal community at large,” she said. “Employment is an important part of most people’s lives. The hours we spend at work compared to home can sometimes feel astonishing. Perhaps even more astonishing is that despite the fact of how important employment is, there are very few lawyers who work in employment law, especially on behalf of employees.”
Haddox Law said that it stands ready to serve the Salem community, advocating for employees’ rights and providing vital support to small business owners. For more information about the firm and the services it offers, visit its office on Texas Street in Salem.
