Smithey Law Group LLC

10/16/2026

I'm looking forward to joining host Jeff Salkin on MPT's Direct Connection on Monday, October 19, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss Maryland's two-party consent recording law.
In light of the recent controversy involving Congressman Andy Harris and a reporter recording his press conference, we'll explore some important questions:
When is it legal to record a conversation in Maryland? How do recording laws affect workplace disputes, harassment claims, and other legal matters? What are the legal implications of new recording technologies, including smart glasses? And where are the gray areas?
I look forward to helping viewers better understand this increasingly relevant area of Maryland law.
Tune in Monday at 7:00 p.m. on Maryland Public Television!

Maryland Public Television (MPT) is a public television station that broadcasts throughout Maryland, DC, and parts of DE, PA, VA, and WV.

10/16/2026

I was pleased to share my legal perspective with ABC News on Congressman Andy Harris's threats against a journalist and Maryland's recording laws. An important reminder that public officials are subject to public scrutiny.

Rep. Andy Harris attempted to invoke Maryland's two-party consent laws to object over the presence of a journalist at a news conference on Tuesday.

09/28/2026

Passed over for a promotion you know you earned? It might be more than bad luck.

Watch for these red flags: a less-qualified coworker gets the role despite your stronger reviews, the process suddenly changes (unposted openings, skipped interviews, rewritten requirements), advancement opportunities vanish right after you spoke up about a legal right or requested an accommodation, or you keep hearing vague comments about your "fit" instead of your actual performance.

If this sounds familiar, start documenting everything: performance reviews, job postings, rejection notices, and who said what and when. Maryland and federal law protect you from promotion discrimination, and you don't have to figure out your next step alone.

Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.

Learn the full list of warning signs: https://smitheylaw.com/promotion-discrimination-maryland/

09/21/2026

Think you can record a conversation to prove your case? In Maryland, think again.

Maryland is an "all-party consent" state. That means everyone in a conversation has to agree to being recorded before the conversation starts, not after being told about it. This applies to in-person conversations, phone calls, and electronic communications, and yes, using your phone to record someone counts.

Even if you're trying to document something important, like a dispute at work, Maryland law doesn't make an exception for that. Recording someone without their consent can create legal problems of its own, and it can even put the claim you were trying to protect at risk.

If you're dealing with a workplace issue in Maryland and aren't sure how to document it properly, talk to us before you hit record. Contact Smithey Law Group to protect your rights and your case.

https://smitheylaw.com/maryland-two-party-consent-law/

09/14/2026

The Maryland CROWN Act protects how you wear your hair at work.

Enacted in 2020, this law expands Maryland's definition of race discrimination to include hair texture and protective hairstyles like braids, twists, and locs. That means an employer can't refuse to hire you, change your job duties, or hide behind a "professionalism" policy to discriminate against you because of your natural hair.

If you think you've experienced hair discrimination on the job, timing matters. You generally have 300 days from the incident to file a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.

Contact Smithey Law Group today to learn how the Maryland CROWN Act protects you at work.

https://smitheylaw.com/what-is-the-crown-act-maryland/

09/08/2026

Happy Labor Day!

At Smithey Law Group, we spend every day helping employees and employers navigate the workplace, from wage-and-hour rights to fair severance agreements to policies that protect everyone involved. Today, we're taking a moment to recognize the hard work of employees across Maryland, D.C., and Virginia, as well as the businesses that depend on them.

Happy Labor Day from all of us at Smithey Law Group.

08/28/2026

Claim prevention and employee handbooks go hand in hand for Maryland employers.
A well-written employee handbook is more than a rulebook. It sets clear expectations, reflects your company's values, and can help reduce your exposure when a workplace issue turns into a legal claim.
At Smithey Law Group, we work with Maryland business owners and HR teams to develop employee handbooks and policies that address the issues most likely to lead to claims: discrimination, sexual harassment, wage and hour compliance, workplace privacy, and wrongful discharge or retaliation. We also offer on-site training for managers and employees because documented training efforts may help demonstrate an employer's good-faith efforts to prevent or address workplace issues if a claim arises.
https://smitheylaw.com/services/claim-prevention-employee-handbooks/
Contact Smithey Law Group today to talk about claim prevention and employee handbooks built around your business.

08/21/2026

Negotiating severance during company layoffs can help protect more than just your paycheck.
If you've been laid off in Maryland, your severance offer isn't necessarily the final word; it may be a starting point. Severance is typically a contract, not a gift, and contracts can often be negotiated.
Before you sign anything, look closely at what's actually in the agreement: pay, continued benefits, the claims you'd be waiving, non-compete or non-solicitation language, and what your professional reference will say. Maryland law limits the enforceability of certain restrictive covenants for many workers, and federal rules may give employees additional time to review certain severance agreements and, in limited circumstances, revoke their acceptance after signing.
Too many people sign right away, focus only on the number, or miss the fine print on unpaid commissions or a non-compete.
https://smitheylaw.com/severance-negotiation-layoffs/
Contact Smithey Law Group today so negotiating severance during company layoffs works in your favor, not just your employer's.

08/21/2026

We’re proud to celebrate three Smithey Law Group attorneys recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America!

⚖️ Joyce E. Smithey, recognized in The Best Lawyers in America since 2023:
• Employment Law – Individuals
• Employment Law – Management
• Litigation – Labor and Employment

⚖️ Lisa L. Walker, recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America since 2026:
• Labor and Employment Law – Employee
• Litigation – Labor and Employment

⚖️ Reuben W. Wolfson, recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America since 2023:
• Labor and Employment Law – Employee

These recognitions are especially meaningful because Best Lawyers honors are based on peer review within the legal profession. We’re grateful to our colleagues for the recognition and proud of Joyce, Lisa, and Reuben for their continued dedication to our clients and to excellence in employment law.

Congratulations to all of the attorneys recognized in the 2027 editions!

Best Lawyers Login Page: Log-in or register for a Best Lawyers account today.

08/14/2026

Do you need an Annapolis, MD Sexual Abuse and Harassment Attorney? We're here to help.
Sexual harassment at work doesn't always look like what people expect. It can be unwelcome advances, inappropriate comments, or a pattern of behavior that makes your workplace feel hostile, even if you never explicitly objected. Courts look at the full picture and all of the surrounding facts and circumstances, not just whether you objected in the moment.
At Smithey Law Group, we represent both employees and employers in these cases, so we understand how they play out from every angle. Led by founder Joyce E. Smithey, who brings over 25 years of employment law experience, our team is ready to listen, explain your options, and help you decide what to do next.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
https://smitheylaw.com/services/sexual-abuse-and-harassment/
If you're looking for an Annapolis, MD Sexual Abuse and Harassment Attorney, schedule your consultation with our team today.