Virginia Business Magazine has named Deborah Yeng Collins a Legal Elite in Labor and Employment Law every year from 2021 through 2025. She has also been named to the Super Lawyers list, which identifies the top five percent of attorneys in a given state, for Employment Litigation, Employment & Labor, and Business/Corporate. Coastal Virginia Magazine selected her as a Top Lawyer in Labor and Employment Law in 2021 and 2024. Yeng Collins Law, PLLC is located on the 18th floor of the Wells Fargo building at 440 Monticello Avenue, Suite 1875, Norfolk, Virginia 23510. The firm can be reached at (757) 828-5585.
Practice Overview
The firm works on both sides of employment disputes. It represents employees who have been wrongfully terminated, discriminated against, retaliated against, or denied wages they are owed. It also advises employers on employment agreements, severance packages, non-compete clauses, and EEOC charge defense. Deb Collins has described the firm’s approach as prioritizing clear, practical counsel backed by litigation willingness. The firm is a trial practice, active in both Virginia state courts and federal courts.
The firm also handles business disputes that fall outside the employment context, including breach of contract, interference with business relationships, and unfair competition claims. Business formation assistance is available for clients starting or restructuring an entity.
Employment Law for Employees
The firm represents employees in the following categories of claims:
Wrongful Discharge: termination in violation of Virginia or federal law, including terminations connected to protected characteristics or protected activities.
Discrimination: claims based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity under applicable state and federal statutes, including Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Virginia Values Act.
Retaliation: claims where an employer takes adverse action against an employee for engaging in protected activity, including filing a complaint, reporting illegal conduct, or requesting accommodation.
Wage Claims: unpaid wages, overtime violations, commission disputes, unequal pay claims, and employee misclassification under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Virginia wage statutes.
Contract Negotiation: the firm reviews and negotiates employment agreements, severance agreements, and non-compete and non-solicitation agreements on behalf of employees. Understanding what these documents actually require is as important as negotiating favorable terms.
Employment Law for Employers
The firm advises employers on:
Employment Agreements and Policies: drafting and reviewing employment contracts, offer letters, non-compete agreements, non-solicitation agreements, and severance arrangements.
EEOC and Agency Proceedings: defense of charges filed before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. EEOC proceedings require written responses, document production, and position statements; the firm handles these on behalf of employer clients.
Litigation Defense: when administrative proceedings result in litigation, the firm represents employers in Virginia state and federal courts.
Business Disputes
The firm handles commercial litigation involving breach of contract, tortious interference with business relationships, and unfair competition claims. These matters often arise between businesses, between business owners, or between a business and a departing employee. The firm’s litigation experience in employment matters translates directly to these disputes.
About the Attorney
Deborah Yeng Collins is the founding attorney of Yeng Collins Law, PLLC. She is licensed in Virginia and practices in both state and federal courts. Her peer recognition includes the Virginia Business Magazine Legal Elite designation for Labor and Employment Law in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, and selection to the Super Lawyers list in Employment Litigation, Employment & Labor, and Business/Corporate.
A verified client review describes Collins as able to quickly understand the details of a discrimination situation, explain the legal landscape clearly, and negotiate a settlement worth three times the client’s initial expectations.
Local Counsel Services
The firm regularly serves as local counsel for attorneys and law firms based outside Virginia whose clients have matters in Virginia state or federal courts. Attorneys who need a Virginia-admitted trial attorney to appear on a case or advise on local practice can contact the firm directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the firm handle matters for employees outside Virginia?
The firm’s primary jurisdiction is Virginia. For matters that are federal in nature, including federal court litigation, EEOC proceedings, and claims under federal statutes like Title VII and the FLSA, the firm’s reach extends wherever those federal laws apply to Virginia-based employment relationships.
Can the firm review a severance agreement before I sign it?
Yes. Reviewing severance agreements is a defined service the firm provides for employees. Severance agreements typically include a release of claims against the employer. Understanding what claims are being released and whether the offered amount reflects the actual value of those claims requires legal analysis. The firm reviews these agreements and advises employees on their options.
What does it mean that the firm represents both employers and employees?
Some employment law firms represent only one side. Yeng Collins Law represents both. From the firm’s perspective, representing both sides builds a fuller understanding of how employment disputes are approached and resolved. The firm cannot represent both sides of the same dispute, but it draws on experience representing employers when advising employees, and vice versa.
What is the Super Lawyers selection process?
Super Lawyers selects no more than five percent of attorneys in a state. The process involves peer nominations, independent research, and evaluations by a professional selection committee. Being listed reflects peer recognition of standing in the field, not self-designation.
How should I contact the firm if I have a business dispute that is not employment-related?
The firm handles commercial disputes including breach of contract and unfair competition matters through the same contact channels as its employment practice. Call (757) 828-5585 or visit www.yengcollinslaw.com to submit a contact inquiry. The firm will assess whether the matter falls within its practice scope.