Employment Law
Workplace trends and employment law
Leah Stiegler, L’15, believes the most passionate lawyers are the most successful — and she’s living proof.
The principal at Woods Rogers, recently named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s 2025 list of Influential Women in Law, has established herself as a preeminent voice on employment compliance, helping companies navigate personnel matters, administrative investigations, and workplace claims.
“I get to help people across all industries,” she said. “In the morning, I could be at a retail outfit, and in the afternoon, I might head to a shipyard or a manufacturing plant. I love that every day is different and engaging — I’m constantly learning new things.”
“We are becoming a more polarized nation, and that obviously impacts what happens in the workplace.”
Stiegler regularly shares her expertise through writing and public speaking. In addition to having a standing column in Today’s General Counsel magazine and weekly speaking engagements across Virginia, Stiegler co-hosts a video series — What’s the Tea in L&E? — to educate employers about the latest trends and updates in labor and employment law. Topics range from handling harassment allegations to requiring drug and alcohol testing.
“It’s an easy way to share small but helpful bits of information,” she said. “We’ve gotten great feedback from clients that the videos can serve as talking points for their management teams.”
In today’s uncertain political climate, Stiegler is focusing on preparing employers to navigate changing laws and potential divisiveness in the workplace. “We are becoming a more polarized nation, and that obviously impacts what happens in the workplace,” she said. “I’m here to help clients handle these issues on a case-by-case basis.”
Stiegler said she is grateful to Richmond Law for providing valuable networking opportunities and resources to build her knowledge base and shape a well-rounded perspective. “Richmond gave me the tools I needed to find the right answers to any question,” she said. “I learned to get a holistic view of a situation so I can offer clients the best advice and point them in the right direction.”