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Ms. Polzin is a partner in the Firm’s Labor and Employment Group. She focuses her practice on employment, commercial, intellectual property, and health care litigation as well as governmental investigations. Additionally, she advises employers on how to avoid costly litigation in the areas of employment law, health care and intellectual property. Her experience in arbitration and mediation helps clients explore alternatives to litigation when disputes do arise. Ms. Polzin frequently speaks on employment law topics including the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, workplace privacy, and issues relating to employee use of email and the internet. Active in her community, Ms. Polzin was elected as the community vice president for the Junior League of Roanoke for 2006-2007, with community projects for the year to include the start of a 3-year partnership with Carilion to build a children’s playroom, a mentoring project with the City schools and Apple Ridge Farm, and a new leadership institute for girls. During 2005-2006, Ms. Polzin served as the chair of the board of TAP (Total Action Against Poverty), a community action agency with a multimillion-dollar annual budget, with over 30 programs that encourage self-sufficiency in areas including housing and community development, financial services, Head Start (early childhood education), employment training and family support. Legal Experience LeClairRyan, Blacksburg, Virginia, 2004-present Flippin, Densmore, Morse & Jessee, Roanoke, Virginia, 1999 2004 Hogan & Hartson, Baltimore, Maryland, 1997 1999 Weiner, Astrachan, Gunst, Hillman and Allen, Baltimore, Maryland, 1994 1997 Semmes, Bowen & Semmes, Baltimore, Maryland, 1991-1994 Education University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 1991 James Madison University, B.S., Political Science, 1986 Extended Information Representative Matters Represented title abstracting company in Prince George’s County, Maryland, in action brought by closing agency and lender due to lender being unsecured when a life estate holder was not present at closing. Cooperated with lender and closing agency to persuade judge to rescind loan, resulting in dismissal of all claims against our client. Acted as local counsel in trademark infringement action for luxury goods manufacturer and for music licensing agency in copyright infringement action. Represented ground beef manufacturer in criminal investigation by USDA Office of Inspector General and coordinated joint defense team; all defendants to the USDA action were eventually found not guilty Successfully defended multiple jury trials involving personal injury Defended multiple claims arising out of a disease outbreak at an assisted living facility Speaking Engagements Virginia Health Care Association Annual Meeting Virginia Bar Association Annual Labor & Employment Seminar Virginia Employment Commission Employer Advisory Committee Annual Meeting Virginia Assistive Technology Seminar Multiple Lorman & National Business Institute programs Multiple LeClair Ryan seminars Honors and Awards Order of the Coif Virginia Law Review Chaired team awarded the Junior League of Roanoke Valley’s annual award for best group in 2005-2006, for project renovating residential shelter where women fighting addiction can live with their children Professional Memberships American Bar Association Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys Virginia Women Attorneys Association: Former Board member and local chapter officer Bar Association of Baltimore City (Maryland): Former Chair of the Young Lawyers’ Section Admissions Virginia Maryland Supreme Court of Virginia Court of Appeals of MarylandU.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit U.S. Supreme Court Place of Birth Atlanta, Georgia . | 