Douglas leads all the firm’s practice areas. In employment law, he represents businesses of all sizes, non-profits, executives and professionals. In the school realm, he serves as outside general counsel and handles pressing and sensitive legal issues, compliance matters and strategic communications for independent schools. Douglas’ practice also includes business disputes. He gives frequent presentations to clients, industry groups and at conferences on topics relating to independent schools, employment law and the workplace.
Douglas R. Burtch
Owner and Principal
Attorney and Counselor at Law
Rated AV Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell (highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards), 2011–present
The Best Lawyers in America
Listed in labor and employment categories, 2013–present
Virginia Super Lawyers
Listed in labor and employment, 2016–present
Virginia Super Lawyers, Rising Stars
Listed in labor and employment, 2010–2015
Virginia Business Magazine Legal Elite
Listed in labor and employment, 2014–present
Virginia federal and state courts
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
Supreme Court of the United States
Burtch Law PLLC
Owner and Principal — Richmond, Virginia — 2016–present
Macaulay & Burtch, PC
Attorney — Richmond, Virginia
Littler Mendelson PC
Associate — McLean, Virginia
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Associate — McLean, Virginia
Supreme Court of Virginia
Law Clerk — Richmond, Virginia
University of Richmond School of Law
Richmond, Virginia — J.D., cum laude
Cambridge University (Emmanuel College)
Cambridge, England — Summer Program in Law
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia — B.A.
Select Presentations
Schooled in the Law: Implementing and Enforcing Student Policies
Virginia CLE — Glen Allen, Virginia — April 9, 2025
Follow-up webinars: May 14, June 11 and September 19, 2025
Hot Topics in Private Schools: Summer 2024
Association of LD Schools Leadership Conference — Richmond, Virginia — July 24, 2024
Lesson Plan for Today: Regulating Student and Parent Conduct
Virginia Association of Independent Schools Head of School Conference — Irvington, Virginia — June 21, 2023
Schooled in the Law: Recent Updates in Employment Law in Virginia
Virginia Association of Independent Schools Business Officers Institute — Loudoun, Virginia — March 30, 2023
Handling Parents in the Age of Enablement: Best Practices in Dealing with Problem Parents
National Association of Episcopal Schools Biennial Conference — San Antonio, Texas — November 10, 2022
Liberties and Liabilities: Ecclesiastical Defenses and Covid-19
Virginia CLE — Webinar — November 17, 2021
The Covid-19 Vaccination Conundrum: To Require or Recommend
National Association of Episcopal Schools — Webinar — March 10, 2021
Covid-19 and Schools: Legal Issues in School Operations Amidst a Global Pandemic
Virginia CLE — Webinar — November 9, 2020
Follow-up webinar: December 16, 2020
Preventative Law in Episcopal Schools: Best Practice to Minimizing Disruption and Costs
National Association of Episcopal Schools Biennial Conference — Webinar — November 5, 2020
Current Issues in Education Law
Virginia CLE — Webinar — April 14, 2020
Follow-up webinar: May 5, 2020
Best Practices for Student and Employee Handbooks
Virginia Council for Private Education — Webinar — October 23, 2019
HR Law in Virginia’s Preschools
Richmond Early Childhood Association — Richmond, Virginia — February 19, 2019
Background Checks in Virginia’s Private Schools
Virginia Council for Private Education — Richmond, Virginia — December 13, 2018
Avoid Payment Pitfalls: Wage and Hour Law
National Association of Episcopal Schools — Webinar — April 18, 2018
Independent Schools: Employment and Enrollment Agreements
Virginia Association of Independent Schools — Warrenton, Virginia — April 11, 2018
Back Office 2.0: Using Technology to Maximize Productivity and Profitability
Richmond Bar Association (Solo and Small Firm Practitioners Program) — Richmond, Virginia — March 29, 2017
Religious Institutions and the Law: Using Legal Leverage to Protect Congregations
Virginia CLE — Charlottesville, Virginia — November 16, 2016
Key Topics in Employment Law
Southside Dental Society — Petersburg, Virginia — November 20, 2015
Metropolitan Academy of Dentistry — Richmond, Virginia — September 10, 2015
Ensuring Effective Employee Release Agreements: Best Practices and Trends in 2015 and Beyond
The Knowledge Group — Webinar, September 24, 2015
Reducing Your Liability from Employee Electronic Communications
Virginia Association of Community Services Boards — Williamsburg, Virginia — May 4, 2011
Washington Metro Area Corporate Counsel Association — Richmond, Virginia — November 4, 2010
Select Articles
Limit Your Liability as Schools Reopen
National Association of Independent Schools — October 6, 2020
Keep That Smile Bright: Avoid Employee Wage and Hour Claims
Virginia Dental Journal — July–September 2016
Employment Law: Know the Rules
Virginia Dental Journal — April–June 2016
Looking for Work? Dos and Don’ts of the Teen Job Scene
Richmond Family Magazine — March 2013
What to Do When Employee Behavior Changes
Quoted in SHRM Online (Society of Human Resource Management) — June 3, 2011
Virginia State Bar
Virginia Bar Association
Labor and Employment section member
Richmond Bar Association
Board of Directors, former member
Various committees and subcommittees, former member
Christ Church Episcopal Preschool
Board of Directors, former member – Glen Allen, Virginia