Position:
Principal
Born:
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, June 22, 1962
Bar Admissions
- 1988, Massachusetts
- 1989, District of Columbia
- 1992, Maryland, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth, Fifth, and District of Columbia Circuits
- 1995, U.S Supreme Court
Education
- University of Michigan (B.A., 1985)
- Boston College (J.D., 1988)
Leizer Goldsmith has recently achieved widespread recognition on account of his advocacy for clients in successfully obtaining a million dollar-plus verdict in an employment discrimination case, and for twice winning at the Maryland Court of Appeals (state supreme court). He has achieved the “AV” rating from Martindale Hubbell, that company's highest rating for ethical standards and legal ability. He won the 2005 Lawyer of the Year award from the Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association for outstanding legal work representing employees and appeared in the 2004 Washingtonian Magazine as a “Washington's Top Lawyers” winner. Mr. Goldsmith was previously featured on the WMAL radio call-in program: “Law Call” and appears frequently as a speaker on employment law topics at various professional conferences and other events.
Mr. Goldsmith represents clients in employment matters arising in both the private and public sectors and provides full service legal representation, from the initial phases of an employment dispute through the resolution of any appeals, in matters of various kinds, including:
- Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
- Contracts and Severance Agreements
- Fair Labor Standards
- Civil Service
Mr. Goldsmith has practiced law in Washington, D.C. since 1988. Since founding his own firm in 1992, Mr. Goldsmith has vigorously and successfully represented employees in matters. Mr. Goldsmith's services include both trial work, where he has won numerous notable jury verdicts, and appellate litigation in the federal and local courts, where he has successfully obtained reversals of trial court errors and protected clients' trial-level victories. He has also performed successfully before various administrative agencies including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Merit Systems Protection Board. Mr. Goldsmith also writes and lectures on employment law topics.
Mr. Goldsmith received his B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1985 and his J.D. from Boston College of Law School in 1988. He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Massachusetts. He is also admitted to the United States Supreme Court and several United States Courts of Appeals.
Mr. Goldsmith is a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, and a member and past Executive Board member of the Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association.
Leizer Z. Goldsmith's Background and Mission Statement
I grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1980, where I graduated from the University of Michigan's residential college. While in Ann Arbor, I was also a taxicab driver for Ann Arbor Yellow Cab, a music reviewer for the Ann Arbor News, a record store clerk, and a disc jockey at WCBN radio and numerous clubs and private parties. During my subsequent years at Boston College Law School, I was a student intern at both the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and the United Auto Workers headquarters. I settled in the Washington, D.C. area in 1988, when I began my legal career as an appellate litigator with the National Labor Relations Board, enforcing that Board's orders pertaining to disputes between employees and their unions and management. I later represented a major national labor union and advocated for children and families in the Washington, D.C. child abuse and neglect system.
I love my practice representing employees and job applicants who have been wronged. Although I typically represent individuals and small groups of employees, I have observed that there are numerous workplace injustices that occur repeatedly, and that there are structural barriers to employment justice in the United States that need to be counteracted. Informed by that recognition, I have worked persistently through the years to earn my reputation for tireless advocacy on behalf of my clients in all facets of employment litigation, including developing the factual record, opposing employer motions for summary judgment, trying cases, and contesting issues on appeal when necessary. I hope and believe that by helping to obtain justice in my clients' individual circumstances, I can do my small part to make the workplace more just.
Recent Blog Posts
Exciting news came from the Sixth Circuit last month when a three-judge panel ruled on Philbrick v. Holder
A new bill hit the U.S. Senate floor Tuesday with important implications for employees and employers alike
Senate confirms Obama nominee to U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
Goldsmith Law Firm Settles Decade-Long Case Against the United States Peace Corps
Maryland Court of Appeals to Hear Friolo Attorneys’ Fees Issues
Recommendations
- “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 in...
- Leizer Goldsmith is an excellent attorney. As a defendant, I came to Leizer after a former employer brought a suit alleging breach of fiduciary duty and tortious interference with a contract. We won the bulk of our case on summary judgment, and the balance of the case was dropped by the Plainti...
- “When I called Leizer I was crushed job wise, morale wise, and had no prospects for the future. Over the course of years he was relentless in pushing my claim forward. In a complex three week long trial, Leizer was able to cross examine the witnesses for the government in such a manner that the t...
- “I would like to thank you for all your help in my legal matters concerning my former employer. When I first came into your office a few months ago, I believed that I had little chance of ever finding justice. I was a young, inexperienced, immigrant secretary with a short time on the job when I f...
- “…We were very impressed with the feedback you provided us during our initial consultation. The information and insight you gave was extremely useful…”
- “…Your kindness has been sincerely appreciated. It is not everyday that you find people that believe in you. I thank you for doing that. May God keep and bless you and your practice. Amen…”
- “…when my colleague needed help there was only one law firm that had the needed skills to handle problems she encountered: yours.”
- “…I feel compelled to write a note of thanks. From the moment that I met with you regarding my difficult employment situation, I sensed that you were a rare breed of attorney. Having been wrongfully sued by my former employer is certainly traumatic. But, for the conclusion of the matter to be tha...
- “Leizer has been a great attorney for our family. He has been able to gain victories for an obscure civil case filed on our behalf that has been presented before the Maryland Supreme Court. He has an excellent track record of accomplishments defending the interests of his clients and should be on...
- “I won't ever forget what you did for my wife”
- Leizer: I am in awe of your brief. Even if we do not win, I feel vindicated by your presentation. You have captured every nuance of the situation and have presented a forceful argument which the agency will have difficulty in striking down. -David Lewis, INS Asylum Officer 3/5/01
- During a traumatic and confusing time, Leizer was clear, patient, knowledgeable, and right on the money. He did the homework, saw things I wouldn't have even thought of, and managed to get was it was due to me. He is a just man that will do his best to bring justice to you. I hope I am never in...
- The Goldsmith Law Firm handled a pregnancy discrimination case against my former employer. They were very knowledgeable with employment law and discrimination cases. They were also up to date with current changes and amendments which had occurred 6 weeks before my claim allowing me to be covered ...
- Very responsive, well organized, and willing to fight for their clients.Pleasant and accessable to deal with.This firm has represented me since 2005 in an on-going employment law dispute.
- 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 oth...
- 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 accessibl...