Attorney Profiles

Mr. Byrnes is an experienced trial attorney and civil litigator who handles employment, real estate, construction and rehabilitation disputes; breach of contract claims, commission bonuses and other wage and salary claims; non-compete agreements, confidentiality clauses, employment discrimination including ADA, ADEA, Title VII invasion of privacy, Privacy Act, First Amendment and other Constitutional claims; whistleblower allegations, qui tam matters, breaches of contract, and breaches of fiduciary duty; business conspiracy, fraud and negligence claims brought by or between businesses, corporate officers, directors, partners and members of limited liability corporations and joint ventures.

Mr. Byrnes has assisted both employers and employees in bringing and defending claims in both federal and state courts and before administrative agencies such as the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), state human rights commissions and federal and state departments of labor.

Mr. Byrnes has represented federal employees, including federal attorneys, Senior Executive Service, and law enforcement personnel, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys, DOJ and other federal agency attorneys, Park Police, U.S. Capitol Police, D.C. Metropolitan Police, FBI Special Agents, DEA, IRS, Treasury, DSS, DOD, DOJ, DIA and Army, Navy, Marine Corp and Coast Guard; and civilian employees and military members on charges of misconduct, poor performance, fitness for duty, negligence, security clearance and physical and mental disability issues, before federal Courts, Inspector General’s (IG’s) Offices and OPR; and on adverse employment actions, including suspension, demotion and termination. Mr. Byrnes also represents individuals on Privacy Act and Federal Tort Act claims.

Mr. Byrnes also represents state employees and private sector employees, including police officers, doctors, lawyers, accountants, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologist, social workers and senior managers on matters ranging from discrimination to disability claims, to defense before professional disciplinary and licensure boards and committees.

Mr. Byrnes also has an active criminal law practice and has provided criminal defense in cases ranging from domestic assault and serious traffic offenses, involving driving while intoxicated and driving under the influence; to white collar offenses involving financial crimes, such as money laundering, structuring and bank fraud; as well as charges under the Patriot Act or other federal crimes. A former federal prosecutor and Assistant U.S. Attorney, Mr. Byrnes has more than twenty years of criminal law experience.

On the employer side, Mr. Byrnes has represented federal, state and private industry managers, small business owners, law firms and non-profit organizations; doctors, accountants, and other professionals on the defense of employment based claims and on investigations into employee fraud, misconduct or violations of law or company policy.

In addition, Mr. Byrnes has handled litigation involving real estate disputes over property lines, property use, property ownership, home additions, home construction, home rehabilitation and home repairs in both Virginia and the District of Columbia; and has litigated both for and against home builders, developers, homeowners, contractors and repairmen. He has addressed mechanics liens, adverse possession, negligent construction, negligent performance of work and lack of licensure claims, as well as breach of contract and performance matters.

In addition to the above, Mr. Byrnes has litigated several cases involving competing wage, salary, sales commissions and employee bonuses; and other claims involving the terms and conditions of employment.