Joyce E. Smithey

Annapolis, MD Directions

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023

Awarded Practice Areas

Employment Law - Individuals Employment Law - Management Litigation - Labor and Employment

Visit Website

410-919-2990

Awarded Practice Areas

Employment Law - Individuals Employment Law - Management Litigation - Labor and Employment

Works at

Smithey Law Group LLC

1 Best Lawyers award

Biography

Based in Annapolis, Maryland, Joyce Smithey is the founder of Smithey Law Group LLC. Her practice focuses on employment and labor law, including Employment Law - Individuals, Employment Law - Management, and Litigation - Labor and Employment. She represents both employees and employers across Maryland and the District of Columbia in matters involving workplace policies, discrimination and harassment claims, wage and hour disputes, wrongful termination allegations, and other employment-related concerns.

Ms. Smithey works with employers on preventive counseling, policy development, and employee handbook preparation to help address workplace issues before they escalate. She also represents individuals and businesses in administrative hearings and litigation in state and federal courts when disputes arise. Through careful preparation and attention to the details of each matter, she helps clients understand their legal options and navigate complex employment law issues.

From her office in Annapolis, Joyce Smithey serves clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C., providing representation in Employment Law - Individuals, Employment Law - Management, and Litigation - Labor and Employment matters.

Locations

Annapolis, Maryland

410-919-2990

706 Giddings Avenue, Suite 200
Annapolis, MD 21401

Education

Boston University School of Law, J.D., graduated 1999
Pepperdine University, Bachelor of Arts in Communication, graduated 1993

Bar Admissions

Maryland, 2004
District of Columbia, 2001
New Hampshire, 1999

Court Admissions

U.S. Supreme Court

Affiliations

Maryland Association for Justice - Member
Women’s Bar Association of Maryland - Member
National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) - Member
MSBA Labor and Employment Law Section - Section Council Member, Legislative Liaison, and President-Elect
New Hampshire Bar Association - Member
District of Columbia Bar Association (DC Bar) - Member
Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) - Member

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^® 2026 for work in:

Employment Law - Individuals
Employment Law - Management
Litigation - Labor and Employment

Awards:

Women to Watch 2022 Named by the Baltimore Business Journal as one of its Women to Watch for 2022. The publication selected two individuals in each industry whose work and leadership were noted during the year, and Ms. Smithey was recognized as one of the two honorees in the legal profession. https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2022/08/05/baltimore-women-excellence-2022-leaders.html
2019 Leadership in Law – The Daily Record Ms. Smithey was recognized as a Leadership in Law honoree by The Daily Record. According to publisher Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, the honorees are selected for their professional accomplishments as well as their service to the broader community, including mentoring and contributions that support high legal standards and strengthen communities throughout Maryland.
Baltimore SmartCEO – 2016 Centers of Influence Awards Joyce E. Smithey was named one of the 2016 Centers of Influence Awards honorees by Baltimore SmartCEO.
Additional Recognitions
- The Daily Record’s “Top 100 Women” in Maryland
- Band 1 ranking in the Chambers USA legal guide
- Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
Throughout her legal career, Ms. Smithey has also received a number of recognitions related to her litigation work, pro bono service, and experience in state and federal courts, including:
- Maryland Super Lawyers – Employment and Labor Law (multiple-year recognition)
- Baltimore Magazine – “Top 50 Women Attorneys” (multiple-year recognition)
- Maryland’s “Top 100 Attorneys” (multiple-year recognition)

Additional Information

Lectures and Publications

“Personality and Integrity Tests for Hiring and Promoting Employees” (co-authored with Reuben Wolfson, Lexis Practice Advisor)
“Pros And Cons Of Using Personality Tests In Hiring Process” (co-authored with Reuben Wolfson, law360.com, July 3, 2019)
“Employment Contracts Presentation” – Joyce Smithey’s presentation at the University of Maryland (March 5, 2019; March 2, 2021; & March 1, 2022)
“Representing the Accused in the Me Too Era” (Maryland Bar Journal Magazine, January 2019)
Employment Law Institute presentation regarding 2018 Legislative Law Updates with Sally Dworak-Fisher, Esq. (April 2018)
“Effective Mediation Strategies” (Bar Association of Montgomery County, 120th Annual Meeting and Law Day Celebration)
“Data Safety in the Workplace” (Maryland Bar Bulletin)
“Employment Rights for Employees Living with Cancer” (Wellness House of Annapolis)
“Employment Rights for Employees Living with Mental Illness” (Trial Reporter, Winter 2015)
“Restrictive Covenants and Software Engineers” (Intellectual Property Series)
“Tenth Amendment” (PPLSI)
“It Didn’t Happen at Work: Can They Fire Me Anyway?” (DC Bar Continuing Legal Education Program)
“Maryland 2021 Legislative Update” (Legal Excellence Week)
“Vaccine Protocols and a Return to Work”
“Maryland Employment Laws Legislative Wrap-Up for 2020” (Maryland State Bar Association)
“Political Speech in Polarizing Times” (Changing Currents)
“Wage and Benefit Issues”
“Labor and Employment Law Issues in the Era of Covid-19” (Maryland State Bar Association)
“Marijuana in the Workplace” (Maryland State Bar Association)
“Workplace Disputes: From Administrative Review to Trial: Your Ultimate Legal Guide to Employer and Employee Disputes” (Upholding Ethic Standards, Radisson Hotel Baltimore Downtown- Inner Harbor)

Pro Bono Work

Alongside her regular practice, Ms. Smithey devotes time to pro bono service with several organizations, including the Women’s Law Center and the Workplace Street Law Program. Her volunteer work with the Women’s Law Center has included staffing its Employment and Labor Law Hotline, where she helps provide information to individuals with workplace-related questions. Through the Workplace Street Law Program, she has participated in educational efforts designed to help individuals better understand employment law and workplace rights. Ms. Smithey has also contributed to the broader legal community by authoring amicus briefs for NELA.

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