Education
College of William & Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law
J.D. 1987
Order of the Coif
Board of Editors, William & Mary Law Review
Aide to the President
University of Virginia
B.A., American Government, B.A. Economics, 1983
Bar Admissions
State
Virginia (1987)
District of Columbia (1989)
Federal
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals
— 4th Circuit
— 7th Circuit
— D.C. Circuit
U.S. District Court
— Eastern District of Virginia
— Western District of Virginia
— District of the District of Columbia
— Central District of Illinois
— District of Maryland
Partner
Email: eisler@islerdare.com
Edward Lee Isler is a native of the Washington Metropolitan Area and is a founding partner of IslerDare PC (formerly Ray & Isler, PC and Isler Dare Ray Radcliffe & Connolly, PC). Prior to establishing the Firm in 1997, Eddie spent seven years practicing labor, employment, and employee benefits law in Washington, D.C. with a national firm, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, and two years with a regional firm, Kruchko & Fries. Before beginning private practice, Eddie served a one-year term as judicial clerk to the Honorable James C. Turk, Chief Judge for the United States District Court, Western District of Virginia.
Eddie has achieved national recognition as a leading employment law attorney and maintains an outstanding reputation as an advocate for his clients’ interests in and out of the courtroom. He is a past Chair of the Virginia Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section and of the Planning Committee for the Virginia CLE Annual Employment Law Update.
Eddie resides with his wife and four children in Oakton, Virginia. He is an Elder at McLean Presbyterian Church, and also serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Dominion Christian School.
Professional and Community Involvement
Bar Associations
Virginia Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
— Chair 2010-12
— Vice-Chair 2008-09
— Secretary/Treasurer 2006-07
— Executive Council 2002-12
Fairfax Bar Association, Employment Law Section
District of Columbia Bar, Labor Relations Section
Honors
Named the Best Lawyers® 2021 Employment Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year” in Washington, DC
Named the Best Lawyers® 2019 Litigation – Labor and Employment “Lawyer of the Year” in Washington, DC
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© – 2006 to Present
Named the Best Lawyers® 2017 Litigation – Labor and Employment “Lawyer of the Year” in Washington, DC
Named the Best Lawyers® 2016 Employment Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year” in Washington, DC
Named a “Virginia Super Lawyer” by Richmond Magazine and Law & Politics – 2006 to 2022
Named “Top 10 Washington DC Super Lawyers” in Super Lawyers Magazine – 2013 and 2015
Fellow, College of Labor & Employment Lawyers (Inducted 2016)
Honored as a leading employment defense counsel in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business – 2004 to 2019
Named by Virginia Business Magazine to Virginia Legal Elite, Labor and Employment – 2001 to 2015
Washingtonian Magazine, Best Employment Defense Lawyers in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area – 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013
Chair, Labor Relations and Employment Law Section, Virginia Bar Association – 2010-2012
AV® rated by Martindale Hubbell
Publications
An Employment law Guide: Employee Rights and Employer Responsibilities in Virginia (1d edition 2017) (available at www.vacle.org)
Employment Law in Virginia (6d edition 2016) (available at www.vacle.org)
Virginia Employment Practices and Forms, Virginia Law Foundation (3d edition 2015) (available at www.vacle.org)
Virginia Wage and Hour Handbook, Virginia Chamber of Commerce Legal Reference Series (available at www.vachamber.com)
Virginia Business Torts, Virginia Law Foundation (3d edition 2014) (available at www.vacle.org)
Employment Law in Virginia, Virginia Law Foundation (5d edition 2014) (available at www.vacle.org)
Contributing Author: Journal of the International Association of Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM), (1999 to 2001)
The Impact of the FMLA on Employee Benefits, 7 Benefits L.J. 271 (Autumn 1994)
Revisiting the Chaos of Retiree Health Litigation, 7 Benefits L.J. 25 (Spring 1994)
Note, RICO: Limiting Suits by Altering the Pattern, 28 Wm. and Mary L. Rev. 177 (1986)
Hearing Testimony
EEOC Meeting of the Commission: Leave As A Reasonable Accommodation Under The ADA
(Washington, DC: June 2011)
Written Testimony of Edward Lee Isler:
http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/meetings/6-8-11/isler.cfm
Video of Testimony:
http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/meetings/6-8-11/video.cfm
Professional / Continuing Legal Education Presentations
Virginia Bar Association (VBA): 52nd Annual Conference on Labor and Employment Law: Bowman Claim Viability After VHRA Amendments?
(September 2022)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA): 51st Annual Conference on Labor and Employment Law: Best Practices in Preparing and Arguing Motions for Summary Judgement in Employment Cases: A View from the Lawyers for Employees and Employers
(October 2021)
Virginia CLE: 30th Annual Employment Law Update: A Review of the Year’s Most Critical Employment Law Cases
(May 2021)
District of Columbia Bar: How To Fire People and How Not To
(Washington, D.C.; January 2021)
Virginia CLE: A Brave New World: Radical Changes to Virginia Employment Laws
(May 2020)
Virginia CLE: 29th Annual Employment Law Update: “The Results Are In!”: A Review of the Year’s Most Critical Employment Law Cases
(May 2020)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA): 50th Annual Labor & Employment Law Section Conference: A Whole New World: The 2020 Virginia Employment Laws
(September 2020)
District of Columbia Bar: Terminating the Employment Relationship: The Employer’s Perspective
(Washington, DC; January 2020)
District of Columbia Bar: Covenants Not to Compete in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia 2019
(Washington, DC; June 2019)
Virginia CLE: 28th Annual Employment Law Update: FMLA Update
(Fairfax and Richmond, Virginia; May 2019)
Virginia CLE: Employment Law Ethics: Staying on the Right Side
(Charlottesville, Virginia; October 2018)
District of Columbia Bar: How to Fire People —And How Not To
(Washington, DC; September 2018)
Living in the #MeToo Era: Best Practices for Ensuring a Positive Work Environment and Reducing the Risk of Legal Liability
(Tysons Corner, Virginia; June 2018)
Virginia CLE: 26th Annual Employment Law Update: EEOC Enforcement
(Fairfax, Virginia and Richmond, Virginia; May 2017).
District of Columbia Bar: Fundamentals of Employment Law: Terminating the Employment Relationship
(Washington, DC; March 2017)
Virginia CLE: Covenants Not to Compete
(Charlottesville, Virginia; October 2016)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA): 46th Annual Labor & Employment Section Conference: The EEOC's Current Strategic Enforcement Plan with EEOC Commissioner, Victoria Lipnic
(Richmond, Virginia; September 2016)
Virginia CLE: 25th Annual Employment Law Update: EEOC Enforcement
(Fairfax and Richmond, Virginia; May 2016)
Virginia CLE: 35 Questions About Virginia Employment Law Every Lawyer Should Know
(Charlottesville, Virginia; October 2015)
IslerDare Breakfast Briefing: The End of the Road: Current Issues with Severance Agreements
(Tysons Corner, Virginia; June 2015)
Virginia CLE: 24th Annual Employment Law Update: The End of the Road: Current Issues with Severance Agreements, Settlements, and Offers of Judgment
(Fairfax and Richmond, Virginia; May 2015)
Virginia CLE: Backpack to Briefcase: The New Virginia Lawyer
(Fairfax, Virginia; November 2014)
Virginia CLE: Covenants Not to Compete
(Charlottesville, VA; November 2014)
Virginia CLE: Covenants Not to Compete and The Duty of Loyalty in Virginia
(Live Webcast; October 2014)
EEOC Technical Assistance Program: Cutting Edge Issues Under the ADA
(Richmond, Virginia; June 2014)
Virginia CLE: 23rd Annual Employment Law Update: Annual Employment Case Law Review
(Richmond and Fairfax, Virginia; May 2014)
WashingtonExec Strategic Human Capital Council: Trying to Keep Up with the Laws Pertaining to Employee Use of Social Media and Avoiding Litigation Under the Fair Labor Standards Act
(Tysons Corner, Virginia; May 2014)
Fairfax Bar Association: Litigating Non-Compete Agreements in Virginia
(Fairfax, Virginia; April 2014)
Virginia CLE: Backpack to Briefcase: The New Virginia Lawyer
(Fairfax, Virginia; November 2013)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA), Labor & Employment Section, 43rd Annual Conference: Breaking News: Annual Employment Law Update
(Virginia Beach, Virginia; October 2013)
Virginia CLE: 35 Questions About Employment Law Every Practitioner Should Know
(Charlottesville, Virginia; September 2013)
The District of Columbia Bar: Covenants Not To Compete in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia
(Washington, DC; September 2013)
Virginia CLE: 22nd Annual Employment Law Update: Annual Employment Case Law Review
(Richmond, Virginia; May 2013)
Fairfax Bar Association: Drafting and Litigating Non-Compete Agreements in Virginia
(Fairfax, Virginia; January 2013)
Virginia CLE: Backpack to Briefcase: The New Virginia Lawyer
(Fredericksburg, Virginia; November 2012)
Virginia CLE: Covenants Not to Compete and The Duty of Loyalty in Virginia
(Telephonic Seminar; October 2012)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA), Labor & Employment Section, 42nd Annual Conference: Annual Employment Law Update
(Charlottesville, Virginia; September 2012)
Virginia CLE: 21st Annual Employment Law Update: Annual Employment Case Law Review
(Richmond, Virginia; May 2012)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA), Labor & Employment Section, 41st Annual Conference: Breaking News: Annual Employment Law Update
(Williamsburg, Virginia; September 2011)
The District of Columbia Bar: Fundamentals of Employment Law: Terminating the Employment Relationship
(Washington, DC; August 2011)
Virginia CLE: 20th Annual Employment Law Update: Annual Employment Case Law Review
(Richmond, Virginia; May 2011)
The District of Columbia Bar: Covenants Not To Compete in the District of Columbia
(Washington, DC; March 2011)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA), Labor & Employment Section, Mid-winter Meeting: 35 Questions About Employment Law Every Lawyer Should Know
(Williamsburg, Virginia; January 2011)
The District of Columbia Bar: Litigating Sexual Harassment Cases in the Federal and D.C. Courts: Practical and Tactical Advice
(Washington, DC; November 2010)
Fairfax Bar Association: Ethics in Employment Law
(Fairfax, Virginia; October 2010)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA), Labor & Employment Section, 40th Annual Conference: “The More Things Change . . . .” Annual Employment Law Case Update
(Reston, Virginia; October 2010)
The District of Columbia Bar: Sexual Harassment Claims and Defenses in Federal and District of Columbia Courts
(Washington, DC; September 2010)
Virginia CLE: Covenants Not to Compete and The Duty of Loyalty in Virginia
(Telephonic Seminar; September 2010)
The District of Columbia Bar: Fundamentals of Employment Law: Terminating the Employment Relationship
(Washington, DC; June 2010)
Virginia CLE: 19th Annual Employment Law Update: Annual Employment Case Law Review
(Richmond, Virginia; May 2010)
The District of Columbia Bar: Covenants Not to Compete: More Than a Primer
(Washington, DC; April 2010)
Fairfax Bar Association: 35 Questions About Virginia Employment Law Every Lawyers Should Know
(Fairfax, Virginia; February 2010)
The District of Columbia Bar: Part 2: Fundamentals of Employment Law: Terminating the Employment Relationship
(Washington, DC; October 2009)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA), Labor & Employment Section, 39th Annual Conference: Annual Employment Law Update – Everything You Need to Know and More
(Virginia Beach, Virginia; October 2009)
Virginia CLE: 35 Questions About Employment Law Every Practitioner Should Know
(Telephonic Seminar; September 2009)
Virginia CLE: 18th Annual Employment Law Update: Scanning the Horizon: Employment Law Update and Outlook for 2009
(Richmond, Virginia; May 2009)
Virginia CLE: Covenants Not to Compete and The Duty of Loyalty in Virginia
(Telephonic Seminar; October 2008)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA), Labor & Employment Section, 38th Annual Conference: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Annual Employment Law Update
(Charlottesville, Virginia; October 2008)
Virginia CLE: 17th Annual Employment Law Update: “Lost in Space”: New Issues in Employee Non-Compete Agreements
(Richmond, Virginia; May 2008)
Fairfax Bar Association: 35 Questions About Virginia Employment Law Every Lawyer Should Know
(Fairfax, Virginia; October 2007)
Virginia CLE: 25th Annual Business Law Seminar: 2007 Update on Covenants Not to Compete, Duty of Loyalty, and Other Business Torts in Virginia
(Fairfax, Virginia; October 2007)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA): Labor & Employment Section, 37th Annual Conference: Annual Employment Law Update
(Williamsburg, Virginia; June 2007)
Virginia CLE: 16th Annual Employment Law Update: “Walking the Plank”: Severing the Employment Relationship
(Richmond, Virginia; May 2007)
Virginia CLE: Covenants Not to Compete and The Duty of Loyalty in Virginia
(Telephonic Seminar; October 2006)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA): Labor & Employment Section, 36th Annual Conference: The Year in Review: Recent Developments in Employment Law
(Roanoke, Virginia; October 2006)
Fairfax Bar Association: Business Torts
(Fairfax, Virginia; May 2006)
Virginia CLE: 15th Annual Employment Law Update: Summary Judgment Motions in Employment Cases: A Defense Perspective
(Richmond, Virginia; May 2006)
Virginia CLE: Practical Employment Advice for Businesses: Avoiding Defamation in References and Recommendations
(Telephonic Seminar; October 2005)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA): Labor & Employment Section, 35th Annual Conference: Recent Developments in Virginia and Federal Labor and Employment Law
(Virginia Beach, Virginia; September 2005)
Virginia CLE: 14th Annual Employment Law Update: Wage Payment Law in Virginia
(Richmond and Fairfax, Virginia; May 2005)
Virginia Bankers Association Human Resources Workshop: Managing Employees Effectively and Legally
(Charlottesville, Virginia; Mary 2005)
Virginia CLE: Advising Businesses on Employment Practices and Forms
(Richmond and McLean, Virginia; February 2005)
National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU) Webcast: Top Ten Rules for Managing and Counseling Employees
(December 2004)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA), Labor & Employment Section, 34th Annual Conference: Recent Developments in Virginia and Federal Labor and Employment Law
(Reston, Virginia; October 2004)
Virginia CLE: Covenants Not to Compete and The Duty of Loyalty in Virginia
(Telephonic Seminar; October 2004)
Virginia CLE: Understanding and Applying the New FLSA Overtime Regulations
(Telephonic Seminar; July 2004)
Judicial Conference of Virginia: Covenants Not to Compete and The Duty of Loyalty in Virginia
(Charlottesville, Virginia; May 2004)
Virginia CLE: 13th Annual Employment Law Update: Update on Recent Developments in Employment Law
(Falls Church and Richmond, Virginia; May 2004)
Judicial Conference of Virginia: Employment At Will and Wrongful Discharge in Virginia
(Virginia Beach, Virginia; May 2004)
Virginia Bankers Association Human Resources Workshop: Understanding the FLSA Exemptions
(Charlottesville, Virginia; May 2004)
Virginia CLE: 35 Questions About Employment Law Every Practitioner Should Know
(Telephonic Seminar; October 2003)
National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU) Annual Conference: Update on Employment at Will in the U.S.
(Boston, Massachusetts; July 2003)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA), Labor & Employment Section, 33rd Annual Conference: News From the Frontlines: Recent Developments in Virginia and Federal Labor and Employment Law
(The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia; June 2003)
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Northern Virginia Chapter: Employment Law From A to Z: Forms and Best Practices
(Falls Church, Virginia; June 2003)
Virginia CLE: 12th Annual Employment Law Update: Evaluating and Settling Employment Claims: Management Perspective
(Falls Church, Richmond, and Norfolk, Virginia; March 2003)
Virginia CLE: Covenants Not to Compete and The Duty of Loyalty in Virginia
(Telephonic Seminar; December 2002)
Virginia CLE: Advising Businesses on Employment Practices and Forms
(Richmond and McLean, Virginia; October 2002)
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), DC Chapter: Avoiding the Legal Pitfalls of Managing Difficult Employees
(Washington, DC; September 2002)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA), Labor & Employment Section, 32nd Annual Conference: Reading the Tea Leaves: Practical Considerations for Defense Counsel in Evaluating Employment Claims
(Kingsmill Resort, Williamsburg, Virginia; September 2002)
Virginia CLE: 11th Annual Employment Law Update: 35 Questions About Virginia Employment Law Every Practitioner Should Know
(Falls Church, Richmond, and Norfolk, Virginia; March 2002)
Virginia CLE: Covenants Not to Compete and The Duty of Loyalty in Virginia
(Telephonic Seminar; December 2001)
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Northern Virginia Chapter: 35 Questions Every HR Professional Should Know About Virginia Employment Law
(Falls Church, Virginia; September 2001)
Lorman Education Services: Wage and Hour Law in Virginia
(McLean, Virginia; June 2001)
Virginia CLE: 10th Annual Employment Law Update: Drafting Executive Employment Contracts
(Falls Church, Richmond, and Norfolk, Virginia; March 2001)
Virginia CLE: Covenants Not to Compete and The Duty of Loyalty in Virginia
(Telephonic Seminar; December 2000)
Fairfax Bar Association CLE: Employment Law Update: Summary Judgment and Settlement Strategies – Employer’s Perspective
(Fairfax, Virginia; May 1999)
Virginia Bar Association (VBA), Labor & Employment Section, 30th Annual Conference: The Dirty Dozen: The Top Twelve Most Common Employer Mistakes Under the FLSA
(The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia; September 2000)
Council on Education in Management: Wage & Hour/Payroll Compliance Workshop: Complying with State Wage and Hour Laws
(McLean, Virginia; August 2000)
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Northern Virginia Chapter: Employment Law From A to Z: Forms and Best Practices
(Falls Church, Virginia; June 2000)
Lorman Education Services: Wage and Hour Law in Virginia
(Rosslyn, Virginia; June 2000)
Virginia CLE: 9th Annual Employment Law Update: Duty of Loyalty and Unfair Competition in the Workplace
(Falls Church and Richmond, Virginia; March 2000)
Council on Education in Management: Personnel Law Update ’00 – Applying the Supreme Court’s Sexual Harassment Decisions in Your Workplace
(Falls Church, Virginia; March 2000)
Virginia CLE: Advising Businesses on Employment Practices and Forms
(Richmond and McLean, Virginia; October 1999)
Virginia Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section, 29th Annual Conference: Vicarious Liability for Employers in the Workplace
(The Tides Inn, Virginia; October 1999)
Council on Education in Management: Personnel Law Update ’99 – Addressing the Interaction of the FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Comp
(Falls Church, Virginia; September 1999)
Council on Education in Management: Wage & Hour/Payroll Compliance Workshop: Complying with State Wage and Hour Laws
(Falls Church, Virginia; August 1999)
Fairfax Bar Association CLE: Annual Employment Law Update: Drafting Executive Employment Agreements
(Fairfax, Virginia; May 1999)
Virginia CLE: 8th Annual Employment Law Update: Personnel Policies and Other Employer Documentation
(Alexandria and Richmond, Virginia; March 1999)
Council on Education in Management: Personnel Law Update ’98 – Independent Contractors and Temp Employees: The Hidden Hazards of the Contingent Workforce
(Falls Church, Virginia; November 1998)
Virginia CLE: Employment Law in Virginia: Virginia Wage Payment and Unemployment Compensation Laws
(Tysons Corner, Virginia; October 1998)
Virginia Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section, 28th Annual Conference: Mental and Emotional Disabilities Under the ADA
(McLean, Virginia; October 1998)
Virginia CLE: 7th Annual Employment Law Update: Wage and Hour Laws
(Falls Church, Virginia; March 1998)
Council on Education in Management: Keeping Your Employees At Work: FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Comp
(Falls Church, Virginia; February 1998)
Virginia CLE: Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later: What You Should Know About Wage and Hour Laws
(Richmond and Alexandria, Virginia; December 1997)
Lorman Education Services: Covenants Not to Compete in Virginia
(McLean, Virginia; September 1997)
Virginia CLE: Avoiding and Handling Wrongful Discharge Cases in Virginia
(statewide telephonic presentation; May 1997)
National Contractors Management Association (NCMA): Understanding Federal Wage and Hour Law
(Reston, Virginia; March 1997)
Virginia CLE: Advising Businesses on Employment Practices and Forms
(Richmond, Norfolk, Roanoke, and McLean, Virginia; December 1996)
Fairfax Bar Association CLE: Personnel Policies and Practices
(Fairfax, Virginia; September 1996)
Virginia CLE: Issues in Workplace Security: Monitoring Employees in the Workplace
(McLean, Virginia; April 1996)
Fairfax Bar Association CLE: 7th Annual Employment Law Update (Developments in Sexual Harassment and the ADA)
(Fairfax, Virginia; February 1996)
Fairfax Bar Association CLE: 6th Annual Employment Law Update (Developments in the ADA and FMLA)
(Fairfax, Virginia; February 1995)
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