Education
Brooklyn Law School
J.D., 1990
University of Connecticut School of Law
Visiting Student, 1989-1990
James Madison University
B.S., Public Administration/Political Science, 1984
Bar Admissions
State
Connecticut (1990)
Florida (1994)
Virginia (1998)
North Carolina (2018)
Federal
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals
— 2nd Circuit
— 4th Circuit
— 11th Circuit
U.S. District Court
— District of Connecticut
— Northern District of Florida
— Middle District of Florida
— Southern District of Florida
— Eastern District of North Carolina
— Western District of North Carolina
— Eastern District of Virginia
— Western District of Virginia
Partner
Email: sbrown@islerdare.com
Steven D. Brown is a Partner in Isler Dare’s Richmond office. Steve understands the business operations of the private and public employers he represents and he provides creative strategies to manage labor, employment, and business issues. He has over thirty-three years of experience in defending employers in a variety of industries in cases under various federal and state labor and employment laws before administrative agencies, state and federal courts, and before arbitration panels all over the United States. His practice includes defending employers in single plaintiff, multi-plaintiff, collective actions, and class actions. With cases either decided favorably at the summary judgment stage before trial or obtaining a favorable verdict after a jury or bench trial, Steve is an experienced and effective trial lawyer. He has also successfully argued appeals before the Second, Fourth, and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals as well as before the Connecticut Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of Virginia. He also provides daily legal and strategic advice related to all labor and employment issues, including, but not limited to, hiring, employment agreements, wage and hour, progressive discipline, performance evaluations, investigations, leave issues under the FMLA, ADA, and Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, workplace safety issues, termination of employment, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, trade secrets, non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality covenants, severance and release agreements, employment and business related tort claims, workplace violence issues, labor and employment law audits, and labor and employment due diligence. Steve has authored many articles and lectured on a local, regional and national level on a variety of labor and employment law subjects. In April 2024, the University of Richmond Board of Trustees awarded Steve with the title of Adjunct Professor Emeritus.
In the community, Steve is a member of the Virginia Bar Association’s Board of Governors. As a member of the Board of Governors, Steve chaired the Special Committee on Small Firms and Solo Practitioners from 2023-2024. In April 2024, the Board of Governors selected Steve to co-chair the AI Task Force. Steve is the past Chair of the Virginia Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section. Steve is a member of the Montpelier Collective which provides support for student-athletes at James Madison University. Steve also provides mentoring to the James Madison University football program by working with players preparing for life after college football within the applicable NCAA guidelines. In 2023, Steve was one founder of the JMU Sound Off podcast. Steve lives in Richmond, Virginia with his wife, Alice, and he has two outstanding adult children, a wonderful son-in-law, a great daughter-in-law, and three fantastic grandchildren.
Professional and Community Involvement
Bar Associations
Virginia Bar Association
Board of Governors 2022 to Present
— AI Task Force Co-Chair, 2024 - Present
—Special Committee on Small Firm & Solo Practice, Chair 2023-2024
Labor & Employment Law Section
— Chair 2020-2021
— Vice Chair 2018-2019
— Secretary/Treasurer 2016-2017
— Executive Council 2014-2023
Florida Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
North Carolina Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
Honors
2023 Top 50 Attorneys in Richmond – Richmond Magazine (May 2023)
Honored as a leading employment defense counsel in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business – 2022 to Present
Lawyer of the Year in Litigation and Employment, and Employment Law-Management in Richmond, The Best Lawyers in America – 2025
Lawyer of the Year in Labor Law - Management in Richmond, The Best Lawyers in America – 2022-2024
Lawyer of the Year in Employment Law - Management in Richmond, The Best Lawyers in America - 2020-2021
AV® rated by Martindale Hubbell – 2000 to Present
Listed among The Best Lawyers in America® in Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, and Litigation – Labor & Employment – 2011 to Present
Listed in Virginia Business magazine’s “Legal Elite” in the field of Labor/Employment – 2003 to Present
Listed in Virginia Super Lawyers – Employment and Labor Law – 2007 to Present
Listed in Virginia Super Lawyers as one of the top 25 lawyers in Richmond, Virginia – 2011 to Present
Community Activities
Virginia Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Section, Chair (2020–2021); Vice Chair (2018–2019); Secretary/Treasurer (2016–2017)
Adjunct Professor, Emeritus, University of Richmond (2005–present)
University of Richmond’s Dean’s Ambassador’s Circle (2017–2023)
Bald Head Island Club Board of Governors (2016–2019)
James Madison University, Honors College Advisory Council, Board Member (2009–2017); Chair (2013–2016); Vice Chair (2011–2012)
James Madison University, Duke Club Board (2013–2017)
Comfort Zone Camp, Board and Executive Committee member (2014–2017)
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Chair of the Board and Chief Governance Officer (2005–2009); Vice Chief Governance Officer (2003–2005); Board Member (2003–2005); and General Counsel (1999–2012)
Trinity United Methodist Church, Board of Trustees, (2003–2014); General Counsel, (2007–2014)
Avalon Swim and Racquet Club, Board of Directors, (1999–2009); President (2001–2002); Past President (2002–2004); Assistant Treasure (2005); Vice President (2005–2007); Treasurer (2008–2009)
Adjunct Professor of Labor and Employment Law and Legal Environment of Public Administration, James Madison University (2004–2005)
Adjunct Professor of Trial Practice at the University of Connecticut School of Law (1992–1994)
Certified Instructor in Trial Advocacy by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (1992–present)
Lecturer in Trial Practice for the Hartford County Bar Association (1993–1994)
Lecturer in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for the Connecticut Bar Association (1992–1994)
Coordinator of a pro bono parole project to obtain the release of several women from prison utilizing the battered women’s defense (1992–1993)
Cadet Commander of the Augusta Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (1978-1981)
Awarded flight scholarship at age 15 by the Civil Air Patrol
Professional / Continuing Legal Education Presentations and publications:
Speaker, “Introducing the First Model AI Policy for Law Firms,” Virginia Bar Association (June 25, 2024).
Speaker, “Know the Rules,” National Rural Electric Cooperative Training in Raleigh, North Carolina (June 20, 2024)
Co-Author and Speaker, “Accommodating Invisible (or Hidden) Disabilities in the Workplace,” Virginia Ability Annual Meeting (June 13, 2024)
Author and Speaker, “HR Legal Expert Panel,” The Virginia Bankers Association 2024 Connect Conference (March 12, 2024)
Author and Speaker, “Hot Topics in Employment Law,” The Virginia Bankers Association 2024 Connect Conference (March 12, 2024).
Speaker, “Know the Rules,” National Rural Electric Cooperative Training in Eau Claire, Wisconsin (October 17, 2023)
Author and Speaker, “HR Legal Expert Panel,” The Virginia Bankers Association 2023 Connect Conference (March 14, 2023)
Author and Speaker, “Hot Topics in Employment Law,” The Virginia Bankers Association 2023 Connect Conference (March 14, 2023).
Author and Speaker, “Finding Traction in Quicksand: Lessons from Small-Firm Practice,” Virginia Bar Association Small Firm Meeting (March 1, 2023).
Author, “Law Firm Succession Planning 101,” Virginia Bar Association Winter Meeting (January 21, 2023).
Author and Speaker, “A Live “Live Chat:” Law Firm Issues That Keep You Up at Night”, Virginia Bar Association Winter Meeting (January 21, 2023).
Co-Author and Speaker, “Striking a Balance: Managing a Hybrid Workforce to Ensure Accountability, Accommodation, and Development,” Virginia Ability Annual Meeting (July 19, 2022)
Author and Speaker, “HR Legal Expert Panel,” The Virginia Bankers Association 2022 Connect Conference (June 16, 2022)
Author and Speaker, “Hot Topics in Employment Law,” The Virginia Bankers Association 2022 Connect Conference (June 16, 2022)
Author and Speaker, “People Management in the Era of Politics, COVID, and Everyday Challenges: Top 10 Issues, Pitfalls, and Fodder for Stories”, UMC3 Meeting
(April 8, 2022).
Author and Speaker, “Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccines and the Expectations,” The Virginia Bar Association Monthly Conference Call (February 5, 2021).
Co-Author and Speaker, “The Practice of Law in the Age of COVID-19,” The Virginia Bar Association 131st Annual Meeting, (January 22, 2021).
Co-Author and Speaker, “The Best Practices for Managing Employees During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Isler Dare Zoom Seminar, (October 15, 2020).
Author and Speaker, “From Case Law to COVID-19: The Americans with Disabilities Act Turns 30,” Virginia Ability Annual Meeting, (July 30, 2020).
Author and Speaker, “Things You Might Have Missed Since COVID-19 Invaded the United States—A Summary of the Developments in Labor and Employment Law in 2020,” The Virginia Bar Association 130th Summer Meeting, (July 25, 2020).
Co-Author and Speaker, “Get Ready for the Ride—Virginia Laws – 2020,” Richmond SHRM, (July 8, 2020).
Speaker, “Lessons Learned in Bringing Employees Back to the Worksite During a COVID-19 Pandemic,“ Virginia Bar Association Weekly COVID-19 Law Practice Live Chat, (June 12, 2020).
Co-Author and Speaker, “Rules for Re-Entry: Law Firm Design Adaptations for the Post-COVID-19 Workplace,” Virginia Bar Association, (May 21, 2020).
Co-Author and Speaker, “Returning Employees to the Worksites: What Every Employer Needs to Know When Balancing Safety with Business Operations,” Isler Dare Zoom Briefing, (May 13, 2020).
Co-Author and Speaker, “Creating the New Playbook for Employers,” Richmond SHRM, (April 23, 2020).
Speaker, “Strategies for Employers in Dealing with the FFCRA,” Virginia Bar Association Weekly COVID-19 Law Practice Live Chat, (March 27, 2020).
Co-Author and Speaker, “Hot Topics in Employment Law,” The Virginia Bankers Association 2020 Connect Conference, (March 10, 2020).
Co-Author and Speaker, “Advanced FMLA Workshop: Demystifying Employer Requirements,” Isler Dare Client Breakfast Briefing, (November 20, 2019).
Speaker, “Know the Rules: Legal Responsibilities and Liabilities for Supervisors,” National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in San Antonia, Texas, (October 23, 2019).
Speaker, “Know the Rules: Legal Responsibilities and Liabilities for Supervisors,” National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in Great Falls, Montana, (September 18, 2019).
Co-Author and Speaker, “From Interviews to Investigations: What Employers Need to Know to Stay Out of Hot Water,” Isler Dare Client Breakfast Briefing, (May 9, 2019).
Co-Author and Speaker, “Hot Topics in Employment Law,” The Virginia Bankers Association 2019 Connect Conference, (March 12, 2019).
Co-Author and Speaker, “Labor and Employment Law Update,” The Virginia Bar Association Winter Meeting, (January 25, 2019).
Co-Author and Speaker, “Hot Topics in Labor and Employment Law: 2018 Trends and a Sneak Peek at 2019,” Isler Dare Client Breakfast Briefing, (November 1, 2018).
Author and Speaker, “Wage and Hour Issues,” Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals Management Training, (September 20, 2018).
Author and Speaker, “Hot Topics in Employment Law,” The Virginia Bankers Association 2018 Connect Conference, (May 15, 2018).
Co-Author and Speaker, “Conducting Effective Workplace Investigations in the Age of #MeToo,” Isler Dare Client Breakfast Briefing, (May 10, 2018).
Co-Author and Speaker, “Anxiety to Zika: What Employers Need to Know to Comply with the FMLA and ADA,” Isler Dare Client Breakfast Briefing, (September 20, 2017).
Co-Author and Speaker, “How to Effectively Manage Problem Employees” Isler Dare Client Breakfast Briefing, (June 6, 2017).
Author and Speaker, “Employee Benefit Trends for 2017: Hot Topics for Every HR Professional,” Isler Dare Breakfast Briefing, (May 12, 2017).
Co-Author and Speaker, “Achieving Party Unity - A View from the Bench on How to Conduct a Successful Mediation,” The Virginia Bar Association 46th Annual Conference on Labor Relations and Employment Law, (September 30, 2016).
Co-Author and Speaker, “Wage & Hour Hot Topics: What Every HR Professional Should Know for 2016-2017,” Isler Dare Client Breakfast Briefing, (September 15, 2016).
Author, “Department of Labor Increases Salary Level for Exempt Employees,” Isler Dare Employment Law Update, (May 2016).
Author and Speaker, “Drafting Performance Reviews,” Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals Management Training, (September 17, 2015).
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