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    Molly C. McDiarmid

    Partner

    Baton Rouge
    225-376-0245
    molly.mcdiarmid@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    Labor and EmploymentLitigationEmployment Litigation

    Molly McDiarmid guides employers through litigation and administrative proceedings for complaints related to compensation, leave, discrimination, retaliation and restrictive covenants. Her practical, easy-to-apply advice helps employers design proactive policies and defend against claims brought in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies, including the EEOC.

    Public and private entities, retailers and professional services firms turn to Molly’s counsel to build their company handbooks, policies and procedures. She helps clients structure employment and severance agreements that protect their business, including confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation provisions. She also keeps clients on top of the opportunities and risks that emerging issues like artificial intelligence bring to employment practices.

    When employee or third-party complaints are filed, Molly works closely with employers to set up internal investigations and find a path toward resolution. If litigation is in the client’s best interest, she brings experience representing employers in court and before regulators to defend against claims including:

    • Age Discrimination in Employment Act
    • Americans with Disabilities Act
    • Family and Medical Leave Act
    • Fair Labor Standards Act
    • National Labor Relations Act
    • State employment law statutes
    • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

    Molly also serves on the firm's HR Support and Associate Development committees.

    When employee or third-party complaints are filed, Molly works closely with employers to set up internal investigations and find a path toward resolution. If litigation is in the client’s best interest, she brings experience representing employers in court and before regulators to defend against claims including:

    • Age Discrimination in Employment Act
    • Americans with Disabilities Act
    • Family and Medical Leave Act
    • Fair Labor Standards Act
    • National Labor Relations Act
    • State employment law statutes
    • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

    Molly also serves on the firm's HR Support and Associate Development committees.

    Insights

    • May 13, 2025

      President Trump’s First 100 Days: What Has Been Done in Labor and Employment…

    • May 1, 2025

      What Has Been Done in Labor and Employment During President Trump’s First 100 Days?…

    More +
    • March 28, 2025

      Phelps Louisiana Team Honored in Super Lawyers’ 2025 Lists …

    • January 31, 2025

      GBR SHRM Presents Quarterly Legal Update 2025…

    • January 7, 2025

      Phelps Elects Seven Partners in 2025 Class…

    • August 23, 2024

      LSBA Presents Applications in AI in Health Care – Considerations and Challenges…

    • May 8, 2024

      Federal Jury Rejects Claims Against LSU in High-Profile Title IX Suit…

    • April 23, 2024

      FTC Bans Noncompetes, Including Most Existing Agreements…

    • April 23, 2024

      Certain Salary Thresholds for Overtime Exemptions to Increase July 1…

    • December 19, 2023

      Super Lawyers Recognizes 44 Louisiana Phelps Lawyers in 2024 Honors …

    • August 17, 2023

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 208 Phelps Lawyers, Names 12 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 47 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • June 15, 2023

      NLRB Revamps Trump-Era Independent Contractor Standard…

    • August 18, 2022

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 158 Phelps Lawyers, Names 10 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 40 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • April 21, 2022

      BRBA Presents Respectful Workplaces: Advising Clients in the #MeToo Era…

    • April 8, 2022

      LSBA Young Lawyers Division Presents Local Rules in Louisiana Federal Courts…

    • February 10, 2022

      Religious Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace…

    • August 19, 2021

      More Than Half of Phelps Lawyers Chosen for Best Lawyers in America, 12 Named "Lawyer of the Year," 40 Make “Ones to Watch” List…

    • March 8, 2021

      Employers May Not Need to Pay for Certain Travel Time Between Home and Office Work…

    • August 20, 2020

      127 Phelps Lawyers Selected to Best Lawyers in America, 16 Named "Lawyer of the Year" and 37 Chosen for First Class of "Ones to Watch"…

    • March 27, 2020

      Government Relaxes In-Person Work Eligibility Verification Rules for Now…

    • March 25, 2020

      Alabama and Louisiana Revise Unemployment Compensation Rules in Response to COVID-19 Crisis…

    • May 29, 2019

      In Our Communities: Molly McDiarmid and Gregory Reda Receive Pro Bono and Children's Law Awards…

    Recognition

    • Litigation - Labor and Employment, The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch (2021-2024)
    • Pro Bono and Children's Law Award, Louisiana State Bar Association (2019)
    • Louisiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars List, Super Lawyers (2024-2025)
    • Litigation - Labor and Employment, The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch (2021-2024)
    • Pro Bono and Children's Law Award, Louisiana State Bar Association (2019)
    • Louisiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars List, Super Lawyers (2024-2025)

    Education

    • Louisiana State University Law Center, J.D./D.C.L., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 2015
    • Louisiana State University, B.A., Political Science, 2012
    • Louisiana State University Law Center, J.D./D.C.L., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 2015
    • Louisiana State University, B.A., Political Science, 2012

    Credentials

    • Louisiana
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
    • Louisiana
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana

    Memberships and Affiliations

    Professional

      • Louisiana State Bar Association
      • Baton Rouge Bar Association, Volunteer Committee
      • Louisiana State Law Institute - Junior Member (2016)

    Civic

      • Karnival Krewe de Louisiane - Board Member (2016-2017)

    Professional

      • Louisiana State Bar Association
      • Baton Rouge Bar Association, Volunteer Committee
      • Louisiana State Law Institute - Junior Member (2016)

    Civic

      • Karnival Krewe de Louisiane - Board Member (2016-2017)
    • Overview
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    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

    Related Services

    • Labor and Employment
    • Litigation
    • Employment Litigation
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
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