An authority on non-compete agreements and trade secret theft – especially in government contract sector –Mr. Mishkin has brought cases nationally; also advises on full range of workplace compliance and litigation

 Venable LLP announced that noted employment attorney Douglas Mishkin, a recognized authority on trade secret litigation, has joined the firm as a partner in its Washington, DC office.

A well-rounded workplace lawyer, Mr. Mishkin has represented clients in the full range of employment matters, with particular focus on litigating non-compete covenant clauses and theft of trade secrets cases in federal and state courts. He also regularly appears before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and state and local human rights agencies on diverse workplace matters, including discrimination, harassment and wage-hour claims.

Mr. Mishkin joins Venable from Patton Boggs, where he was co-chair of the Employment Law Practice Group.

Mr. Mishkin has handled numerous matters on behalf of government contractors, where misappropriation of trade secrets and intellectual property assets is a significant concern.  He has litigated for and advised contractor clients about issues relating to spoliation of evidence by former employees and misuse of metadata by departing staff. He also regularly counsels and defends nonprofit organizations in the full range of employment issues.

In conjunction with his active litigation practice, Mr. Mishkin counsels clients on employment compliance issues, helping craft personnel manuals, alternative dispute protocols, performance evaluations, and hiring and firing policies.

Mr. Mishkin served on President Bill Clinton’s transition team for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 1992.

“Increasingly, companies are playing both offense and defense in workplace matters, especially in having to police sensitive, high-value IP assets and other trade secrets,” said Michael Volpe, who chairs Venable’s national Labor and Employment Practice.

“We’re fortunate to be adding Doug Mishkin to our group.  He has substantial experience on both sides of the employment ledger, and in a wide range of relevant matters,” Mr. Volpe added.  “He can advise companies – including the firm’s many government contract clients – on how to best protect themselves as employees depart or when new ones join who may have had access to confidential data.  Doug’s litigation, compliance and ADR skills are all invaluable for our workplace assignments.”

Mr. Mishkin commented:  “Venable has long been recognized as a destination firm in the L&E space and I’ve watched the practice grow nationally as well as internationally.  When I learned the firm was looking to expand further, including a build-out of trade secrets work, I saw an outstanding opportunity to harness my practice to Venable’s brand. In addition to Mike Volpe, Venable has some extraordinary L&E talents, including Robert Ames, David Smith and Kishka Ford McClain.  I’m excited to be joining this team.”

Mr. Mishkin received his J.D. from George Washington University and his A.B. from Brown University.