Faith A. Alejandro

With a strong background in mediation and dispute resolution, Faith excels in negotiating settlements and achieving favorable outcomes. As a leader of the Sands Anderson Diversity and Inclusion Committee, she brings a unique perspective to fostering inclusive and equitable workplace environments.

Faith joined Sands Anderson in 2011 and quickly established herself as a trusted advisor and defender for employers. Fluent in essential employment laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, she skillfully navigates claims involving discrimination, harassment, employment agreements, non-competes, whistleblowers, and beyond.

Thought Leader

Faith is a sought-after speaker, frequently engaged to provide workplace training and known for her passion of creating more productive work environments, without the distraction and harm of workplace harassment. She offers customized presentations tailored to meet the specific needs of her clients. With a deep understanding of key workplace issues, she offers training on the following topics, and more:

• Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment
• Paid Leave and Accommodations (ADA, FMLA)
• Handbook Essentials for Employers
• Legal Updates in Employment Law (VA, Federal)
• Implicit Bias, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Cannabis in the Workplace
• Workplace Investigations
• Nonprofit Board Member Duties

Recognized Excellence

Highly recommended by the legal community, Faith has been recognized by Chambers and the Best Lawyers in America for labor & employment, based on peer nominations. Additionally, she was named among Virginia Business's 2016 Legal Elite "Young Lawyers" and featured in a profile piece highlighting top professionals in the field. She is frequently asked to speak to media outlets about legal workplace issues, having been featured as a guest on Richmond’s Morning News, and quoted or featured in Bloomberg Law and the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Virginia Mercury, the Daily Press, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

She was the National and Regional Champion of the American Bar Association Representation in Mediation Competition during law school. As the Executive Editor of the University of Richmond Law Review, she earned the 2010 Family Law Book Award and the CALI Excellence Award. At the University of Virginia, she was inducted into the Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society and received the Richard Heath Dabney Award.

Effective Advocate

Faith’s litigation experience in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies has resulted in a successful track record of advocating for employers. Faith’s record includes, for example:

• Winning summary judgment for a private human resources services company in an age discrimination claim seeking $150,000;
• Winning summary judgment for a large public school division in a disability discrimination and retaliation lawsuit;
• Defending the appeal of a claim for $650,000 against a large public school division in a national origin discrimination and breach of contract claim before the Fourth Circuit; and
• Defending local governments, public schools, police departments, and behavioral health agencies in numerous grievance and unemployment hearings.