Top 10 Wrongful Termination Lawyers in Virginia Beach, VA
Fired and think it was illegal? Virginia is an at-will state, so most firings are legal, but not all of them. If you were let go for an illegal reason, a Virginia Beach employment lawyer can tell you whether you have a claim and what it's worth. Here are the firms that represent fired employees in Hampton Roads.
Updated January 24, 202612 min readEditorially independent
Here is the hard truth most people learn the day they get fired: Virginia is an at-will employment state, which means your employer can let you go for almost any reason, or no reason at all, without it being illegal. Wrongful termination is the narrow exception. It applies when you were fired for an illegal reason, such as discrimination based on race, sex, age, religion, disability, or national origin; retaliation for reporting harassment, filing a workers' comp claim, or whistleblowing; or in violation of a contract or public policy.
A Virginia Beach employment lawyer earns their fee by sorting the legal firing from the illegal one fast, so you do not waste months on a claim that goes nowhere or miss a deadline on one that is real. Many discrimination claims must first go through the federal EEOC or the Virginia agency before you can sue, and those have tight filing windows. The right lawyer knows which agency, which deadline, and how to preserve your evidence.
Fee structures vary more here than in injury law. Some employee-side firms take strong cases on contingency, some bill hourly, and many use a hybrid with a modest retainer. Most offer a paid or free initial consultation to evaluate your case. Bring your offer letter, handbook, termination notice, and any relevant emails. Here are the Virginia Beach wrongful-termination firms worth a call.
How we picked these 7: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Virginia Beach-area wrongful termination practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Klein, Rowell & Shall, PLLC
Virginia Beach, VAEmployee-side focusHybrid / contingency
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, employment discrimination, sexual harassment, FMLA, FLSA, ADA, unpaid wages
A Virginia Beach employment firm that has represented employees across Hampton Roads for more than a decade in discrimination, harassment, and wage cases, including wrongful termination. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and Avvo.
Why they made the list: A dedicated employee-side employment practice with broad experience across discrimination and wage claims.
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, discrimination, executive severance, unpaid bonuses and commissions
Attorney Lisa Bertini has handled employment law and discrimination matters for more than three decades, representing executives and high-level employees to recover withheld severance, bonuses, and commissions. Listed on Super Lawyers, Justia, and the firm site.
Why they made the list: Decades of experience and a strong fit for executives and higher earners with severance or compensation disputes.
Virginia Beach, VAHampton Roads firmHourly / hybrid
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, employment contracts, discrimination, employee rights
A Hampton Roads firm with an employment practice that handles wrongful termination, employment contracts, and discrimination, with attorneys recognized by Super Lawyers. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and Justia.
Why they made the list: A multi-practice local firm with employment depth and peer recognition.
Serves Virginia BeachEmployment focusHourly / hybrid
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, discrimination, government employee rights, retaliation
A Virginia employment firm serving Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Richmond that represents individuals and businesses across the employment landscape, including wrongful termination and government-employee matters. Listed on the firm site and Justia.
Why they made the list: Strong employment focus with experience on both private and government-employee terminations.
Serves Virginia BeachFired-employee focusHourly / hybrid
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, discrimination, severance review, employee rights
A Virginia employment practice that focuses on representing fired employees in wrongful termination and discrimination matters across the Commonwealth. Listed on the firm site and Justia.
Why they made the list: A practice built around employees who have been fired, useful for a focused second opinion.
Serves Virginia BeachEstablished litigation firmHourly
Practice focus: Employment litigation, wrongful termination, discrimination, employment disputes
An established Hampton Roads litigation firm with an employment practice handling wrongful termination and discrimination disputes. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and Justia.
Why they made the list: A seasoned litigation firm for terminations likely to end up in court.
Practice focus: Employment law, wrongful termination, discrimination, workplace disputes
A Virginia Beach firm with an employment law practice that handles wrongful termination, discrimination, and workplace disputes. Listed on the firm site and local directories.
Why they made the list: A local Virginia Beach firm to compare against the others before you commit.
Tell us why you were let go and what you have in writing, and we'll match you with a Virginia Beach employment attorney who represents fired employees. Free, confidential, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Virginia Beach
First, find out if your firing was actually illegal. Virginia is at-will, so most terminations are legal. A good lawyer will tell you quickly whether yours fits an exception, such as discrimination, retaliation, or a contract breach, before you spend money chasing it.
Match the fee to the strength of your case. Strong discrimination or retaliation cases may be taken on contingency; weaker or smaller cases are usually hourly. Ask each firm which applies to yours and why.
Watch the agency deadlines. Many discrimination claims must go through the EEOC or a state agency first, with short filing windows. Pick a lawyer fast so you do not lose the right to file.
What wrongful termination help typically costs in Virginia Beach
Wrongful-termination fees in Virginia Beach vary more than most areas of law, because the structure depends on how strong and how large your claim is:
Initial consultation: Often free or a modest flat fee to evaluate whether you have a claim and which deadlines apply.
Contingency cases: For strong discrimination or retaliation claims, some firms take a percentage of the recovery, commonly around one-third, with no fee if you lose.
Hourly representation: Employment lawyers commonly bill $250-$450/hour for cases not taken on contingency, often against a retainer.
Severance review: Reviewing or negotiating a severance agreement is frequently a flat fee or a few hours of time.
Ask each firm whether your case is a contingency or hourly matter and why. The honest answer to that question tells you a lot about how strong they think your claim really is.
How long it takes
A wrongful-termination claim in Virginia often starts at an agency before it ever reaches court:
Evaluation: The lawyer reviews your documents and the reason for the firing to decide whether you have a viable claim. This is usually quick, a meeting or two.
Agency charge: Many discrimination claims must be filed with the EEOC or the Virginia agency first, within a short window. The agency investigates, which can take months.
Right to sue and filing: If the agency does not resolve it, you receive a notice that lets you file in court. Your lawyer then files suit within the applicable deadline.
Negotiation or litigation: Many cases settle through negotiation or mediation; those that do not proceed through discovery and toward trial, which can take a year or more.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a wrongful termination lawyer in Virginia Beach
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many wrongful termination matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Virginia Beach consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most wrongful termination matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Wrongful Termination attorney in Virginia Beach
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about wrongful termination lawyers in Virginia Beach
Was my firing actually illegal in Virginia?
Virginia is an at-will state, so most firings are legal, even if they feel unfair. A firing is wrongful only if it was for an illegal reason, such as discrimination based on a protected trait, retaliation for protected activity like reporting harassment or filing a workers' comp claim, or a breach of an employment contract or public policy. A lawyer can tell you quickly whether yours fits an exception.
How much does a wrongful-termination lawyer cost in Virginia Beach?
It depends on the case. Strong discrimination or retaliation claims are sometimes taken on contingency, commonly around one-third of the recovery with no fee if you lose. Other cases are billed hourly, often $250-$450/hour against a retainer. Severance review is frequently a flat fee. Many firms evaluate your case in a free or low-cost first meeting.
Do I have to go through the EEOC first?
For most discrimination and many retaliation claims, yes. You generally must file a charge with the federal EEOC or the Virginia agency before you can sue, and the filing window is short. Your lawyer will identify the right agency and deadline and file the charge for you.
What counts as evidence in these cases?
Your offer letter and contract, the employee handbook, your termination notice, performance reviews, and emails or texts about your work or the firing all matter. Save everything and avoid deleting messages. The paper trail often decides whether a claim is provable.
How long do I have to act?
The deadlines are short and vary by claim type, with EEOC and state-agency charges often due within a matter of months of the firing. Because missing the window can end your claim, talk to a lawyer as soon as possible after you are let go.
Can I get my job back?
Sometimes, but most wrongful-termination cases resolve with money, such as back pay, lost benefits, and in some cases compensation for emotional distress, rather than reinstatement. Your lawyer can explain the realistic remedies for your specific situation.
What should I bring to a consultation?
Bring your offer letter and any contract, the employee handbook, your termination notice or final emails, recent performance reviews, and a short timeline of what led to the firing. The more documentation you bring, the better the lawyer's first read on your claim.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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