Mary Elizabeth "Betsy" Davis
Labor & Employment
Labor and Employment Litigation
Non-Competition Litigation and Counsel
Wage and Hour / Wage Payment Law
Employment Tort Claims and Related Litigation
EEO/Discrimination Claim Representation
Employment Claim Prevention Strategies
Human Resource Management Advice
Executive Compensation
Unemployment Law
Education
Higher Education
Golf
Student Housing
Ms. Davis is a partner in the Labor and Employment Group. She serves Whiteford on its Executive Committee, as its Co-General Counsel and as Co-Chair of the Labor and Employment Group. She focuses her practice on advising management in all areas of labor and employment law. She works across industries ranging from health care and higher education to manufacturing and golf to understand the particular needs of her clients in these industries. She regularly represents employers in state and federal courts in the areas of discrimination, fair labor standards, family and medical leave, wrongful discharge, covenants not to compete, breaches of employment contracts, as well as other state and federal employment issues. She counsels and represents clients in defense of EEOC charges and DOL investigations.
Ms. Davis uses her litigation experience to counsel clients with a goal of eliminating risk and placing the client in the best position should litigation arise. She provides advice and management training to raise awareness and ensure compliance with employment laws. She routinely reviews and develops employee policies, handbooks, offer letters, employment contracts, separation agreements, and other related documents. She is frequently contacted by clients to assist in handling difficult termination and hiring issues, as well as sensitive matters involving restrictive covenants and trade secrets.
- University of Richmond School of Law, 1997, J.D., cum laude
- University of Virginia, 1994, B.A.
June 2025, presenting “Navigating Legal Pitfalls and Risks," Virginia Society of Association Executives
February 2025, presenting “HR Roundtable," Virginia, Delaware & Maryland Association of Electric Cooperatives
October 2023, presenting “The Art of Self-Promotion," University of Richmond School of Law
February 2023, presenting “HR Roundtable," Virginia, Delaware & Maryland Association of Electric Cooperatives
February 2022, presenting “HR Roundtable," Virginia, Delaware & Maryland Association of Electric Cooperatives
December 2021, presenting “Updates on Virginia Employment Law," LeadingAge Virginia
November 2021, co-presenting “Open[ish] For Business – Navigating Challenges Facing Richmond Businesses, Including Law Firms and the Clients They Serve, in the Evolving Pandemic," Richmond Bar Association
October 2020, co-presenting "Cocktail Party Law: A Basic Primer on Employment, Traffic, Community Association Law and COVID-related Business Law Matter," webinar, Richmond Bar Association
September 2020, presenting "COVID-19 – Leave Issues Under the FFCRA, FMLA, and ADA – The Law," webinar, Virginia Bar Association 50th Anniversary Annual Conference on Labor and Employment Law
July 2020, co-presenting "What Claims Will Communities Likely See? What Will be the Possible Increased Obligations as Communities Begin To Reopen?," webinar, LeadingAge Virginia
May 2020, co-presenting "Impact on Employers as Virginia Returns to Work," webinar, SIMA Client Meeting
May 2020, co-presenting “Play Through: COVID-Related Challenges for the Golf Industry,” webinar, Virginia State Golf Association
April 2020, presenting "COVID-19 and Key Legal Issues for Employers" to LeadingAge Virginia and Maryland.
February 2020, presenting "HR 2020: Top Tips to Bring HR Into a New Decade” to the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives
September 2019, moderating "A Conversation with Commission Lipnic” at the Virginia Bar Association Labor & Employment Conference
July 2019, presenting “Workers Who Can’t Wait – Navigating Leave as an Accommodation” to Virginia Bar Association Summer Meeting
May 2019, presented “#MeToo in the Workplace: Creation, Compliance, Countermeasures” to the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics
- Chambers USA, Labor & Employment, Virginia (2021-present)
- Benchmark Litigation, Virginia (2019-Present)
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Richmond Commercial Litigation - Employment, Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment (2020–Present), Commercial Litigation (2026), Labor Law - Management (2026)
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Labor and Employment "Leader in Law" (2024)
- Virginia Business Magazine, Labor and Employment "Legal Elite" (2019-2025)
- Virginia Super Lawyers®, Employment & Labor: Employer, "Rising Star" (2007, 2009–2012)
- AV Preeminent®: Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
- Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals: Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court: Western District of Virginia