Overview
With over 25 years of experience, Neil Talegaonkar is an employment lawyer recognized for helping employers navigate the landmines present throughout the lifecycle of the employment relationship in a pragmatic way. Neil’s practice is a mixture of counseling, litigation, negotiation, and the support of mergers and acquisitions.
Neil collaborates with employers of all sizes across various industries, with notable expertise in representing medical, dental, and veterinary practices. He also assists professionals and executives in negotiating their employment agreements.
Neil has litigated a wide range of issues in both state and federal courts, including wrongful discharge, discrimination and harassment, wage and hour disputes, restrictive covenants, business conspiracy, shareholder disputes, and other business torts. He regularly represents employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the Virginia Department of Labor & Industry, and the Virginia Employment Commission. Additionally, Neil appears before various licensing boards on behalf of businesses and licensed professionals.
Neil also reviews, drafts, and negotiates employment agreements and other documents for various commercial transactions. Furthermore, Neil drafts employee handbooks for employers.
Representative Matters
Represented physicians in medical practice breakups
Represented publicly traded energy company in defense of suits under the Americans with Disabilities Act
Defended construction companies and school boards in collective/class actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act
Drafts and negotiates consulting agreements, services agreements, independent contractor agreements, physician employment agreements, and restrictive covenant agreements
Represented public company in prosecution of computer crime claims against former Chief Information Officer
Represents parties in the defense and prosecution of non-compete breaches and other business torts
Represented property owners in defense of public accommodation claims under the ADA
Serves as local counsel in matters pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Recognition & Honors
Honors & Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America, 2016-2026
AV Peer Review Rated in Martindale-Hubbell
Virginia’s Legal Elite; Virginia Business Magazine, 2009-2025
Virginia Super Lawyers; Law & Politics, 2013-2022, 2024
Virginia Super Lawyers; Law & Politics, Top 100 Lawyers list in the state and Top 50 Lawyers Richmond, 2015
Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star; Employment & Labor, 2011
Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star; Business Litigation, 2009-2010
Eastern Virginia Region of the American Red Cross; Annual Board Service Award, 2017
Press & Publications
News
Speaking Engagements
Community & Professional
Associations
Virginia State Bar; Bar Council, 2020-23
Virginia State Bar; Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course Faculty
Virginia State Bar; Future of Law Practice Task Force, Past Member
Virginia State Bar; Technology and the Practice of Law Committee, Past Member
Virginia Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section, Co-Treasurer, Present
Leadership Metro Richmond, Class of 2013
American Red Cross, Virginia Region Board Chair 2017-2019; Board Member, 2007–2019
Area Congregations Together in Service (ACTS); President 2020-2022
MEDARVA Healthcare (formerly Richmond Eye and Ear Healthcare Alliance, Inc.); Board Member, 2013-2019
St. Joseph’s Villa; Board of Trustees, Member, 2010–2019
Community Brain Injury Services (formerly Community Futures Foundation); Board Member, 2007–2011
University of Richmond School of Law Alumni Association; Board Member, 2006–2009
Credentials
Education
Tulane University; B.A., 1993
University of Richmond School of Law; J.D., 1999
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts
Beyond the Law
Beyond work, Neil enjoys exploring new restaurants, scuba diving, and live music.
