Matthew Famiglietti | Washington Employment Lawyer

I opened my first law office in 1994 because I believe strongly that one individual can make a difference.  Since that time, I have developed an expertise in employment discrimination law, Social Security Disability law, and special education.  Having a disability, and living with that disability every day, gives me a unique insight into issues that affect people with disabilities.  I not only have the formal legal training and experience in issues that disabled people deal with every day, but I bring a very deep and strong commitment to providing quality legal services to others who have disabilities.  Of course, I bring that same commitment to providing quality legal services to those who don't have disabilities as well.

I have extensive experience in employment law, disability law and discrimination law. I have handled numerous employment cases including sexual harassment in the workplace.  I have taught seminars for AARP's Legal Counsel for the Elderly and for the Archdiocese Legal Network of the District of Columbia as well as for other service organizations. I have also been a CLE instructor for the D.C. Bar. I have served as a Guardian ad Litem for abused and neglected children in the State of South Carolina.

Prior to opening my law office, I worked as an advocate for the South Carolina Protection & Advocacy System for the Handicapped.  I advocated for children and for adults with mental and physical disabilities.  During my tenure there I represented families and children with disabilities in numerous Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings with local school districts in South Carolina.  I also presented seminars on the rights of disabled children to a free and appropriate education.
 
I worked at the University of South Carolina Center for Developmental Disabilities, and the U.S. Department of Labor Civil Rights Center. After graduating from the College of Charleston, I obtained my law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

I am a member in good standing of the following organizations:

National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR)
District of Columbia Bar Association
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
South Carolina Bar Association
National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA)
Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association (MWELA)
American Immigration Lawyers Association

I am also a former member of:

District of Columbia Bar Association Lawyer Service Management Committee (2003 - 2009)
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)
SC Bar Ask-A-Lawyer Program
SC Lawyer Referral Program
Administrative & Regulatory Committee of SC Bar
Committee for Justice for All of SC Bar
SC Bar Committee on Services to the Indigent
Richland County Bar Association
I am an avid fan of the Washington Nationals. I am married to Michelle Lynn Sapp, daughter of Mary Kay and Frank Sapp, former missionaries in Japan. My wife and I are members of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Arlington, Virginia. We have three dogs - Bailey is a Bichon Frise, my retired service dog Lady is a yellow Labrador Retriever, and my current service dog Buddy is a mixed Vizla and Labrador Retriever.

I was also a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Virginia for a time in 2012.  

My autobiography, The Book of Matthew, A Blessed Life, is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

I have published an e-book on Special Education, which can be purchased through SmashWord.  

I have also published e-book on Social Security Disability Benefits which can be purchased through SmashWord.

I also co-wrote a coloring book about service dogs with my former law clerk and her father, which is now available by purchase directly from my office.