Sanford Heisler Sharp LLP | 20th Anniversary 2004 - 2024
Sanford Heisler Sharp LLP | 20th Anniversary 2004 - 2024

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Headshot of Schwanda Rountree

Schwanda Rountree

Co-Managing Partner of the Washington, DC Office and Discrimination and Harassment Practice Group Co-Chair

Phone: 410-834-7416
Email:  [email protected]
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/schwanda-rountree

Schwanda Rountree is Co-Managing Partner of Sanford Heisler Sharp’s Washington, DC office and Co-Chair of the firm’s Discrimination and Harassment Practice Group.

At Sanford Heisler Sharp, Schwanda’s practice has focused on whistleblower, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour violation cases, representing both individuals and classes.

Schwanda received her law degree from North Carolina Central School of Law, and her B.A. from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. While at North Carolina Central School of Law, she worked as a student advocate for the Juvenile Law Clinic representing defendants before the criminal division of Durham County District Court and representing students in due process hearings before the Durham County School Board. She also provided pro bono services for abused and neglected women and children at the North Carolina Center for Child and Family Health. She was a North Carolina Governor’s Scholar finalist in the Burton D. Wechsler First Amendment Moot Court Competition, recipient of the Best Oralist Award, Clifton E. Johnson Moot Court Competition, and member of the Trial Advocacy Board.

A member of the District of Columbia and Maryland bars, Schwanda has presented training on e-discovery and reasonable accommodations for federal government managers.

Before joining Sanford Heisler Sharp, Schwanda completed a summer clerkship for The Late Honorable Judge George W. Mitchell of D.C. Superior Court. She most recently served as Deputy General Counsel, Labor and Litigation for Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Office of General Counsel. During her more than 20 years working in the federal government sector, Schwanda has litigated class action discrimination cases and class action labor grievances. She began her career working in the area of disability discrimination investigations and litigation with the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division.

Education

  • J.D., North Carolina Central University School of Law
    • Honors: Juvenile Law Clinic, Student Advocate
    • Honors: North Carolina Governor’s Scholar
  • B.A., North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, magna cum laude
    • Major: Broadcast News and Political Science

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia, 2006
  • Maryland, 2003

Honors

  • Finalist in the Burton D. Wechsler First Amendment Moot Court Competition
  • Recipient of the Best Oralist Award, Clifton E. Johnson Moot Court Competition

Past Positions

  • The Late Honorable Judge George W. Mitchell of D.C. Superior Court, Law Clerk
  • Deputy General Counsel, Labor and Litigation for Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Office of General Counsel

I could not have done this alone

“From the first conversation with Schwanda Rountree and her team, Candelaria Barrera-Mejía and Paul-Winston Cange, I felt heard. They actively listened to me and asked amazing questions that opened the space and I felt heard and respected. They did not let me off the hook and dug into the details as if we were all a team driving towards the same strategy and outcome. During the most challenging aspects of the case, this team showed up for me and my family, and I am forever grateful.

Being supported by Sanford Heisler Sharp made it feel like a smoother process. I have felt blessed and supported by the work that they do for executives like me.

We reached a settlement that worked for all parties. I have a plan for my future, and I could not feel more at peace with the outcome.”

– C-Suite Executive

A superior legal team with an unwavering dedication to their clients

“I never thought that I would ever need an employment lawyer. Unfortunately, I was incorrect. I did not know where to turn as I had just moved into a state where I had no personal connections or a strong professional network. A colleague recommended Sanford Heisler Sharp and I cannot praise this team enough. I would like to publicly honor and thank Kevin Sharp, Schwanda Rountree, Elias Schultz, Reilly Dodd, and Sydney Browne. Their professionalism, dedication to the client, and technical knowledge of the law are all key to our successful engagement. I am eternally grateful for this team and their dedication to helping me with a very difficult situation. If you need legal assistance, there is no better team.”

– Former Client Tech Executive

A Fierce Advocate Every Step of the Way

“The Sanford Heisler Sharp team provided outstanding counsel. In particular, I wanted to call out Schwanda Rountree, who was absolutely outstanding to work with–brilliant, direct, sincere, thorough yet efficient, responsive; there really aren’t enough superlatives to describe her. Schwanda and I were completely aligned. I felt like she anticipated my needs and was a fierce advocate every step of the way. She helped me feel seen and heard at a profoundly difficult time in my career. I will forever be grateful and highly recommend her.

– Former Client