Michael Guss Email & Phone Number

Michael is a prominent attorney with extensive trial experience and a well-known track record for winning in the courtroom. He is currently Senior Counsel at one of the world’s largest and busiest transit agencies, specializing in appeals, special litigation and employment law. For more than 15 years, Michael has served as lead counsel in numerous civil cases in state and federal courts. Michael is a tireless public servant. Prior to his current position, he was an Assistant State's Attorney for Montgomery County where he prosecuted misdemeanor and minor felony cases. It is during this time, he developed a stronger commitment to justice and government service.Before serving as a prosecutor, Michael took a sabbatical from the law to teach young people at Friendship Edison Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C. There, he taught 11th grade American Government, educating inner city students. Michael often calls his service at Friendship Edison one of the most rewarding times of his career.Michael started his legal career as an associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson, one of the most prestigious law firms in the world. There, he was a securities lawyer defending major corporations against the federal government. Born in the Bronx, N.Y. in 1974, he was raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland where he attended Largo High School. In 1996, he graduated magna cum laude from Howard University in Washington, D.C. with a B.A. in Communications. In 1999, he received his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. While in law school, Michael served as President of the Black Law Student’s Association. His administration focused on using Penn Law's vast resources to aid all African-American law students in the region. Michael is a member of the District of Columbia and New York State bars. He is married to Catrell Brown, a public relations executive, and they reside in Washington, D.C.Specialties: Litigation, Labor & Employment, Whistleblower Defense, Contract Litigation & Mass Torts

Listed skills include Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Civil Litigation, Employment Law, and 28 others.

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  Senior Counsel

  Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Wmata)

  May 2005 - Present - Washington D.C. Metro Area

  Leads WMATA’s labor and employment caseload including, but not limited to, various whistleblower statutes, the FLSA, the FMLA, Title VII, the ADA, and cases alleging violations of the collective bargaining agreements between WMATA and the three unions representing employees in various sectors. Serve as chief counsel in all WMATA’s business and major subrogation cases, including litigation where WMATA serves as a Plaintiff. Supervises and leads strategy on all aspects of litigation, including case analysis, motions practice, witness preparation, discovery, alternative dispute resolution, trial, and manages outside counsel on select cases not handled internally. Provides legal expertise and strategic counsel to WMATA managers and supervisors, with a focus on employment law, ADA, Title VII, FMLA and the various whistleblower statutes applicable to WMATA. Educates WMATA managers and supervisors on employment issues and risks. Negotiates and drafts WMATA’s separation agreements. Oversaw best practices project with HR to re-draft WMATA’s position descriptions to comply with the ADA and reduce litigation. Negotiated consent decree with USDOJ. Currently, partnering with HR to educate new managers on employment law and human resources best practices, including classes on managing employees in a diverse and unionized environment.