William E. Doyle, a former top official in the agency that enforces affirmative action and nondiscrimination requirements on federal contractors, has joined McGuireWoods as a partner with the firm’s labor and employment practice in Washington and Raleigh, North Carolina.
Doyle defends clients in enforcement litigation, audits and complaint investigations brought by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), where he served as deputy director from 2001 to 2005. He focuses on OFCCP-related compliance issues, including affirmative action program development and implementation, and assists employers with statistical audits of personnel data to assess their vulnerability to class claims of discrimination.
Doyle also defends systemic discrimination claims investigated or brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or by private litigants in federal class actions. He has more than two decades of experience representing clients in a wide range of industries, including petrochemical, energy, consumer products, manufacturing, technology, retail, pharmaceuticals and financial services. He comes to McGuireWoods from the Washington office of Morgan Lewis and is the fifth lateral partner to join the firm’s labor and employment practice since May.
“Bill has the in-depth knowledge and wealth of experience to help federal contractors and other employers thoroughly assess their risks and protect themselves from discrimination claims,” said Joel H. Spitz, chair of the firm’s labor and employment department. “We’re fortunate to be able to offer someone with his impressive background to our clients as an addition to our existing federal practice.”
As deputy director of OFCCP, Doyle managed the agency’s enforcement and policymaking activities. He was the principal architect and drafter of the OFCCP Internet Application regulations and the agency’s Systemic Compensation Standards and Voluntary Self-Evaluation Guidelines. Doyle founded the OFCCP’s Division of Statistical Analysis, hired the unit’s first director and worked closely with the division to develop protocols on compensation, promotion and hiring discrimination.
“Bill’s valuable federal agency background and his experience advising and defending employers will benefit our clients immensely,” said Todd Mullins, managing partner of McGuireWoods’ Washington office. “We’re delighted to welcome him to the firm.”
“Bill adds an important dimension to our litigation practice, both here and across the firm,” said Mark Anderson, managing partner of the firm’s Raleigh office. “He strengthens our client service capabilities in the Triangle region, and we’re excited to have him join our team.”
Doyle is a 1990 Penn State University graduate who earned his law degree from Georgetown University in 1993. Before college, he served in the United States Marine Corps as a noncommissioned officer.
Doyle has a robust pro bono practice assisting military veterans in obtaining U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. He served as lead counsel in Military Order of the Purple Heart v. Sec’y of Veterans Affairs, a 2009 case that invalidated the VA’s “extraordinary award procedure” that was used to overturn compensation awards of $250,000 or more to veterans.
“McGuireWoods has a stellar national reputation for its work on OFCCP compliance and I’m thrilled to be joining such an elite team,” Doyle said. “I know my clients will benefit from such a strong platform and from the firm’s commitment to client service excellence.”
McGuireWoods earned a Tier 1 ranking in the 2015 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” in the practice areas of Litigation – Labor & Employment and Employment Law – Management. In Corporate Counsel’s “Who Represents America’s Biggest Companies” 2014 edition, the firm ranked seventh overall in Labor and Employment, and in the top 20 in Labor Litigation. In addition, seven lawyers on the firm’s labor and employment team are ranked in the 2015 Chambers USA guide.