Robert Friedman is an associate in Venable's Litigation Division where he represents private and public sector clients in a broad range of complex civil litigation matters.  Mr. Friedman focuses his practice on labor and employment law, business torts, and commercial litigation. 

Mr. Friedman represents employers in litigation in federal and state court, in arbitration, and before administrative agencies.  Mr. Friedman defends clients against claims of employment discrimination, failure to accommodate, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful discharge, as well as claims involving leave, whistleblower protections, and wage and hour law violations.

Mr. Friedman's experience also includes complex class action litigation, brought by both private claimants and government agencies, involving extensive electronic discovery.  His appellate litigation experience includes assisting clients before state and federal appeals courts, and contributing to both merits and amicus briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mr. Friedman has also worked on matters pertaining to business torts, including employment contract disputes, restrictive covenants, unfair competition, violations of business conspiracy statutes, and misappropriation of trade secrets.  His commercial litigation experience includes work on matters involving contract disputes, consumer fraud, online advertising and marketing, and antitrust.

Mr. Friedman also counsels clients on all facets of the employer-employee relationship and advises on strategies for employer compliance with numerous EEO laws to avoid and minimize litigation.  Mr. Friedman works proactively with clients to develop sound business practices such as through the preparation of employment contracts, personnel policies and handbooks, and proper employee classification systems.

Prior to joining Venable, Mr. Friedman served as a law clerk on the Senate Judiciary Committee staff of Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) where he worked on national security issues and executive and judicial nominations.  Previously, he was an aide to Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), where he handled policy analysis and constituent outreach in the areas of immigration, education, and housing.

Significant Matters

Served as lead associate in a complex wage and hour collective action in federal court where Venable successfully obtained a court order denying in full class certification.

Served as lead associate and principal brief author in successful defense of a government agency in a wrongful termination action in state court.

Mr. Friedman has worked with clients in a variety of industries including insurance providers, consumer and retail sales, financial service companies, health care providers, nonprofit associations, and online marketers and advertisers. Through his significant Capitol Hill experience, Mr. Friedman has developed strong skills in negotiation, advocacy, and statutory interpretation and brings an insight into the policy development and legislative process to bear on his clients' needs.

Activities

Mr. Friedman is active in Venable's recruiting efforts, frequently interviewing candidates for summer associate positions and serving as a mentor to summer associates during the summer program.

Mr. Friedman also has an active pro bono practice at the firm.  He recently secured a fully favorable decision for a client in a social security disability appeal and has worked for several years as part of a Venable attorney team representing detainees on Guantanamo Bay.

Mr. Friedman is a non-resident Fellow at the Georgetown Center on National Security and the Law and a Principal in the Truman National Security Project. 

He also serves as Managing Editor of Foreign Policy Digest. 

Mr. Friedman serves on the National Rules Committee and the Washington D.C. Advisory Board for the New Leaders Council.

Mr. Friedman is also the Legal Affairs Co-Chair of the Anti-Defamation League’s Young Professionals Division and is involved in the organization’s Civil Rights Committee.