Leizer Z Goldsmith

Leizer Z Goldsmith

4.7
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 37 years

Employment and labor Lawyer at Washington, DC
Practice Areas: Employment & Labor, Discrimination, Sexual Harassment ... +3 more

5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC

About Leizer

Biography

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Discrimination 20%

I have successfully handled hundreds of employment discrimination and retaliation cases over the last quarter-century, under many different statutes. I have won significant relief for clients through jury trials, arbitrations, EEOC and MSPB administrative hearings, and on appeal.

38 years

20%
Employment and Labor 20%

I assist employees and former employees in handling situations such as firings, denied promotions, unpaid wages and wage theft, severance negotiations, retaliation, whistleblowing and harassment.

38 years

20%
Sexual Harassment 20%

I have won and settled many hostile environment and quid pro quo cases, not just occasioned by sexual harassment, but also racial, disability and other harassment. These cases are brought under Title VII, Title IX, ADA and local laws.

38 years

20%
Wrongful Termination 20%

When an employee is terminated unfairly, frequently it becomes my job to help determine which laws have been violated and how redress can be obtained. My firm and I devote many hours each week to this critical task.

38 years

20%
Consumer Protection 10%

I handle Whistleblower cases, including under statutes such as the False Claims Act, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013, the District of Columbia Whistleblower Protection Act, Dodd-Frank and Sarbanes-Oxley

10%
Contracts and Agreements 10%

I represent employees in obtaining severance, and in negotiating other employment agreements, including through mediations and other settlement opportunities

38 years

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Maryland for 33 years

State: Maryland

Acquired: 1992

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in District of Columbia for 36 years

State: District of Columbia

Acquired: 1989

Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Massachusetts for 37 years

State: Massachusetts

Acquired: 1988

Retired

No misconduct found

Location

The Goldsmith Law Firm, LLC

5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC, 20015

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Leizer Z Goldsmith's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.7 /5.0

23 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Anita | January 24, 2020 | Employment & Labor

Terrific experience

I engaged Mr. Goldsmith's firm for a consultation regarding a failure-to-hire case. Mr. Goldsmith and his associate Leanza Bethel quickly familiarized themselves with the details of my case, asking outstanding questions that showed their attention to detail and understanding of both my situation and ...of the case law in this area. It is clear that everyone at Mr. Goldsmith's firm is passionate about this area of their practice, and that they truly care about their clients. I will not hesitate to recommend this firm and hope to engage them in my own case.

Posted by anonymous | August 15, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Discrimination

The best!!!

Let me say first that Mr. Goldsmith is the best attorney! He took my case of pregnancy discrimination and retaliation after another attorney just took my money and did nothing. With his diligent help and guidance, I was able to recoup what I lost and much more. I think most important was that he actu...ally stopped and really listened to my plight and was genuinely interested in helping unlike the other guy. So yes I would highly recommend him with no hesitation. Dr Jones.

Posted by Gene | November 12, 2013 | Lawsuits & Disputes

The Goldsmith Firm, LLC is the Absolute Best in the Business

Leizer Goldsmith and Adam Marker of The Goldsmith Law Firm, LLC, are amazing attorneys and great people. I first went for a consultation with Leizer when I felt that I was being discriminated against when applying for Federal jobs. He gave me excellent advice at that time but I chose not to file a ...formal complaint. Several years later as the discrimination continued we did file a formal complaint in 2003. Leizer and Adam were on top of every detail of the complaint and as the case went forward they conducted extensive investigations, numerous depositions, and were on top of my case every step of the way. They were constantly in touch with me regarding every aspect of my case and offered me excellent advice and counsel. They also know the system and players in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, and that puts them far ahead of most other attorneys in that area. My case was interesting because an employee of the agency I was filing against was fired for supporting my claim of discrimination, and Leizer also represented her and reached a sizeable out of court settlement with the agency. Meanwhile, my case remained in the court system and I am happy to say that because of the hard work, dedication, and expertise of Leizer and Adam we were able to reach a substantial settlement in my case in August of this year. With that, I built a huge bonfire in my yard and burned over a decade’s worth of legal and court documents, and toasted Leizer and Adam for their great work and unyielding support. I cannot recommend Leizer and Adam highly enough and I would not hesitate to use them again or to send my friends and co-workers to them if they are in need of legal assistance. They are the absolute best at what they do in the Washington, D.C. area.

Posted by Iris | July 31, 2011 | Sexual Harassment

Leizer Z Goldsmith set the standard for excellence

My case was very complicated. It involved sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination. I had been robbed of my dignity and self esteem. Leizer is an expert in representing these particular cases. He is very proficient, professional and competent. During my case he was always accessib...le to address my many questions and he kept me well informed. He led me through each phrase of my case making sure every deadline was adhered to. Leizer has set the standard of Excellence. I strong recommend Leizer.

Posted by Neen | July 29, 2011 | Employment & Labor

Leizer Goldsmith is highly recommended!

Leizer Goldsmith is an exceptional attorney. I am very satisfied with his representation. Leizer is readily available to answer your questions, address your concerns and always keeps you informed. His knowledge of employment law and general understanding of people gives him the edge over many other ...attorneys. He is passionate about his work and is totally dedicated to helping you in your fight for equality. I highly recommend Leizer Goldsmith to anyone who needs an employment discrimination lawyer!

See All Client Reviews

Leizer Z Goldsmith's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Leizer
Ari M Wilkenfeld headshot
Ari Wilkenfeld

Employment and labor lawyer | Apr 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Regina-Lyn Schowalter headshot
Regina-Lyn Schowalter

Employment and labor lawyer | Oct 26

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I have known Leizer Goldsmith in a professional capacity for more than ten years. As a former employee, I have seen him interact with clients up close and personal. Not only is Leizer personable and client-focused, he is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about employment law. Leizer is a tenacious litigator (see: Friolo v. Frankel, 819 A.2d 354 (2003) and its aftermath) and advocate. Bottom line: Leizer is the lawyer I would use if I ever required the services of an employment lawyer."

Thomas J Gagliardo headshot
Thomas Gagliardo

Employment and labor lawyer | Oct 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. We have been professional colleagues for a good number of years and I am familiar with Leizer's many successes. He is diligent, thorough and tenacious. A lawyer's lawyer."

Bruce M Bender headshot
Bruce Bender

Employment and labor lawyer | Oct 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known him for over 20 years and he is an excellent attorney in the area of employment law. He is extremely diligent, hard working and an excellent advocate for his clients and has handled many appeals in state and federal appellate courts also with great success. He also has great integrity and character."

Kristen Leigh Walsh headshot
Kristen Walsh

Employment and labor lawyer | Dec 27

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I have worked at other litigation firms over the years since working for Leizer. Simply put, Leizer is the best litigator I have ever met. He has a sincere commitment to his clients and always keeps their best interests in mind. He also has a brilliant and creative legal mind and an excellent insight into negotiating strategies. If I had an employment issue, I would not hesitate to retain Leizer as my attorney."

View All Endorsements

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2016

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2015

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2014

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2013

Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers

2005

Lawyer of the Year-- See http://www.mwela.org/LawyersoftheYear, Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association

2004

Among Washington's Top Employment Lawyers, Washingtonian Magazine

Work Experience

1992 - 2019

Principal, The Goldsmith Law Firm LLC

1989 - 1991

Associate, Connerton, Ray & Simon

1988 - 1999

Appellate Attorney, National Labor Relations Board

Associations

2010 - Present

Maryland Employment Lawyers Association

Member

1999 - Present

Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association

Board Member

1993 - Present

National Employment Lawyers Association

Member

1992 - Present

Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association

Member

1992 - Present

Maryland State Bar Association

Member

1988 - Present

District of Columbia Bar

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Foster v. University of Maryland Eastern Shore

$125,000.00 jury verdicat after summary judgment Reversed by United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Philbrick v. Holder

Summary Judgment Reversed by United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Case then settled

Two Claimants v. Major Hotel Chain

Arbitrator Awards to Each Claimant: $150,000.00

Orr v. Holder

VERDICT FOR DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL OF $1,350,000.00

Friolo v. Frankel

PLAINTIFF WINS AT MARYLAND’S HIGHEST COURT

Rainey v. Maximum Security

Verdict for Plaintiff

Walker v. West

HOUSEKEEPER WINS $150,000.00; FEES

Johnson v. West

EMPLOYEE/PLAINTIFF WINS PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT, SETTLES

See More Legal Cases

Education

1988

Boston College Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1985

University of Michigan

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2019

Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association Brown Bag

Winning Non-Monetary Relief in Discrimination Cases

2016

MWELA Luncheon Seminar

Winning Methodologies for Proving Discrimination at Trial

2015

Maryland Employment Lawyers Association Annual Conference The Year's Greatest Hits in Employment Law

2014

Maryland Employment Lawyers Annual Conference Fee-Shifting to Losing Defendant

2014

Brown Bag Luncheon

Shifting Attorney's Fees to the Losing Defendant

2011

Taking and Defending the Expert Deposition- Montgomery County Bar

Taking and Defending the Expert Deposition

2007

Maryland State Bar Association Annual Conference

Attorneys Fees in Employment Litigation: A Review of the Law of Attorneys’ Fees in the Maryland and Federal Courts

2007

Maryland Employment Lawyers Association Annual Conference

Friolo v. Frankel Attorneys' Fee Litigation

2005

Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association Annual Conference

"Trial Do's"

2005

Maryland Employment Lawyers Association Inaugural Conference

Winning Attorneys’ Fees in Maryland

2005

Litigating And Resolving Employment Cases: A View From The Bench Evidence - Recurrent Issues

2003

Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Annual Conference

Law Practice Management

2002

"How to Beat Summary Judgment in the Post-Reeves Era."

Moderator of Panel Discussion on Defeating Employer Efforts to Dismiss Employment Discrimination Cases Without Trial

2000

United States Department of the Interior EEO Conference

The Employee's Perspective on the EEO Process

2000

NELA FEDERAL EMPLOYEE RIGHTS FORUM

"Creating a Successful Practice Representing Federal Employees

2000

MWELA Brown Bag Lunch Series

Winning Verdict in Walker v. West

2000

Montgomery County Bar Association Breakfast

Merriex v. Beale Sexual Harassment Case

1996

DFAS Advanced EEO Training Conference

“Perspective of the EEO Counseling Process as an Employees’ Representative “

1995

National DFAS EEO Training Conference

Keynote Speaker

Publications

2014

MSBA Maryland Employment Law Deskbook Attorney's Fees [Fee-Shifting to Losing Defendant]

2007

Maryland Trial Reporter Court of Appeals Weighing Writ Of Certiorari On Shifting Attorneys’ Fees Incurred

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution