Leah Brownlee Taylor

Leah Brownlee Taylor is an accomplished and seasoned litigator who partners with employers to resolve their most pressing workplace challenges, offering clear, actionable guidance to protect their businesses.

Drawing on her background as an award-winning U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) first-chair litigator and Senior Executive Service leader, Leah zealously defends clients in employment and civil rights litigation in federal court, state court, and administrative tribunals. Her ability to navigate complex civil litigation and translate intricate employment laws into actionable strategies makes her a trusted advisor for employers nationwide.

Leah is skilled at litigating high-stakes matters involving the First Amendment, the Equal Protection Clause, the Due Process Clause, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the ADA, the FMLA, the ADEA, and other employment laws, as well as retaliation claims under the Whistleblower Protection Act. Her experience also includes handling multimillion-dollar class action lawsuits, constitutional and common law torts, business disputes, investigations, and legal compliance matters. Over a career spanning more than 25 years, Leah has conducted hundreds of hearings and more than 35 jury and bench trials. As a government litigator, she has won motions, hearings, and jury trials nationwide in state and federal district and appellate courts, including in California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, and Utah.

Outside the courtroom, Leah excels at bridge building, adeptly providing policy guidance, legal compliance, and risk management advice, and conducting civil rights and employment law training. 

Before joining Epstein Becker Green, Leah served as the Acting General Counsel for the DOJ’s U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), where she resolved Title VII class action litigation, administrative litigation, and employment disputes. She also managed legal and policy compliance in employment, professional responsibility, ethics, and investigative matters; drafted agency agreements; and achieved favorable outcomes for the DOJ and the USMS in federal district and appellate court litigation. Her prior roles include Deputy General Counsel at the USMS; Senior Trial Attorney for the Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation Section of the DOJ’s Civil Division; and Assistant Attorney General in the Equity and General Litigation Sections of the DC Office of the Attorney General, Civil Division, where she handled employment law and civil rights claims, among other things.

What Leah Delivers for Clients

• Proactive Problem Solving and Bridge Building: Leah helps employers identify potential issues early and works to address them efficiently, aiming to prevent disputes before they escalate.
• Tailored Risk Management: She provides guidance and designs practical strategies to help employers mitigate legal risks while maintaining operational efficiency and achieving business objectives.
• Insight from Government Experience: Leah leverages her background as a government litigator and knowledge of government investigations to strategically navigate statutory and regulatory challenges and effectively defend against complex legal claims.
• Proven Leadership in High-Stakes Cases: With experience in nationally publicized matters, Leah is equipped to handle the most sensitive, complex legal disputes.

• DOJ, Presidential Rank Award, Nominee (2025)
• DOJ, Attorney General Award for Excellence in Information Technology (2024)
• USMS, Distinguished Group Award, DUSM Jane Doe Legal Defense Team (2018)
• DOJ, Special Commendation for Outstanding Service in the Civil Division, Engel v. Buchan Trial Team (2015)
• DOJ, Award for Outstanding Efforts on Behalf of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of the Director (2015)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of General Counsel, Recognition Letter (2015)
• DC Office of the Attorney General, Extra Mile Award (for leadership and service) (2008 and 2009)

Education

• Rutgers University School of Law – Newark (J.D.)
  • Jessup International Moot Court Competition (Highest Oral Score)
  • Willard Heckel Inn of Court
• Spelman College (B.A., cum laude)