Teresa Burke Wright

Teresa Wright is a principal in the Washington, D.C. Region office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She helps clients on a daily basis comply with state and federal employment laws and navigate challenging workplace law issues. She provides practical business advice based on “best practices” and is a sought-after speaker, investigator and trainer on employment law topics. She also is a seasoned litigator, having represented employers ranging in size from eight to 18,000 employees in litigation and administrative proceedings. 

Teresa advises employers daily regarding such issues as employee leave and accommodation; discipline and termination; independent contractor misclassification; discrimination and harassment; preparation of employment contracts; drafting personnel policies and handbooks; and investigation of employee misconduct. Teresa also is active in the firm’s Leave and Accommodation practice group. In that capacity, Teresa acts as a regional and national expert on employee health and leave issues facing employers, including issues arising under the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, and similar state and local laws, including paid sick leave laws and paid family and medical leave laws. She is a member of the firm’s Workplace Training practice group and part of the firm’s task force on independent contractor misclassification.

Teresa is a popular lecturer on a wide variety of employment-related topics, including employee accommodations and leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and state/local leave laws; conducting workplace investigations; avoiding unlawful harassment; and avoiding liability through appropriate performance evaluations, discipline and discharge practices. Teresa is a frequent speaker for such groups as the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), the Virginia Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar’s continuing legal education (“CLE”) programs. She contributes regularly to Jackson Lewis updates and special reports, including on LGBTQ+ issues affecting the workplace; regulatory developments under the FMLA and ADA and similar state and local laws; and managing outside investigators.

Teresa also serves as co-leader of Jackson Lewis’ Out Professionals and Allies in Law (OPAL) attorney resource group.