Elizabeth M. Ebanks

Shareholder || Richmond

Elizabeth Ebanks is a shareholder in the Richmond office of Ogletree Deakins where she focuses her practice on employment litigation and employment counseling. Elizabeth has significant experience litigating discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims in federal and state courts and before various administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Employment Commissions. Elizabeth also regularly assists and defends employers against wage and hour claims, audits, and Department of Labor investigations.

Elizabeth counsels employers, conducts harassment and discrimination investigations, and drafts and reviews employment contracts and handbooks. She also prosecutes and defends numerous employers against former employees for breach of contract claims as well as seeking or defending injunctions and damages for non-compete, trade secret, business conspiracy, and breach of loyalty violations. Elizabeth’s dual Master of Business Administration and law degree gives her the unique ability to understand her clients’ legal issues and business needs simultaneously.

Elizabeth was named among Virginia Business magazine’s “Legal Elite” in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021  and 2022. She was also honored as a Virginia Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in employment litigation defense and labor and employment from 2010 through 2016 and as a District of Columbia Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in labor and employment in 2013.

Active in her community, she served on the board of HomeAgain – a Virginia nonprofit organization that provides emergency and transitional shelter, as well as programs that build skills for self-sufficiency, to local homeless families and individuals from 2011-2016. She was part of the Legal Aid Justice Center’s Pro Bono Housing Dispute Project from 2006-2011; and on the American Red Cross’ Leadership Development Council from 2008-2009.

Learn more about Elizabeth M. Ebanks

Education

Admission to Practice

Professional Activities

  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Class of Fellows (2014)
  • National Employment Law Council (Board of Directors, 2018-Present; Services Committee Member, 2012-2018)
  • National Bar Association (Commercial Law Section Executive Committee Member, 2018)
  • Virginia Bar Association (Labor and Employment Section Council, Executive Committee Member 2016- Present (Treasurer 2019-Present); Young Lawyers Liaison, 2008-present; Chair, Young Lawyers Divisions Ask-a-Lawyer Pro Bono Initiative, 2010-present; Young Lawyers Division, 2012-present)
  • Ogletree Deakins Business Resource Groups (ODBar Co-Chair, 2019; ODWIN Executive Committee Member, 2018)
  • Richmond Bar Association (Executive Committee Member, Young Lawyers Division, 2007-2010; Executive Committee Secretary, Young Lawyers Section, 2010)
  • Old Dominion Bar Association (Vice President, 2008-2009)
  • Lewis F. Powell, Jr. American Inn of Court Member (2008-2009)

Speeches

Insights by Elizabeth M. Ebanks