Diane A. Seltzer in Baltimore: Employment Law for Small to Mid-Size Companies
Diane A. Seltzer is a solo employment law attorney based in Baltimore whose practice focuses on defending and advising employers on statutory compliance, hiring and separation matters, and workplace disputes. Her scope centers on Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, wage and hour law, and Maryland-specific employment statutes. She works primarily with small to mid-size companies rather than large corporations with in-house counsel, placing her in a different niche than the downtown litigation firms that handle disputes for regional employers.
What Seltzer Actually Handles
Seltzer's practice divides into two main areas: preventive counsel and dispute defense. On the preventive side, she advises employers on handbook creation and revision, hiring practices, classification of workers as exempt or nonexempt, documentation of performance issues, and proper termination procedures. On the dispute side, she defends clients in administrative complaints filed with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and litigates wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, and wage and hour claims in Maryland state court or federal court for the District of Maryland. She does not handle immigration law, benefits administration, or union representation.
Fees and Engagement Models
Seltzer charges by the hour. Consultations for employers without an existing relationship begin at $250 per hour. Retainer arrangements for ongoing counsel typically range from $2,000 to $5,000 per quarter for companies with 20 to 100 employees, depending on complexity and expected demand; retainers are billed monthly and applied against work performed. Dispute matters (EEOC charges, litigation) are quoted project-by-project based on the complexity and likely litigation timeline. Initial case assessment consultations are $400. Many employers find that retainer counsel costs less than sporadic hourly consultation because it discourages reactive-only engagement and catches liability issues early. A verification note: fee structures can shift; confirm current rates by phone.
How Seltzer Compares to Other Baltimore Employment Law Options
Baltimore's employment law landscape splits into several tiers. Large firms with 50+ attorneys, such as Venable LLP and Whiteford Taylor + Preston, maintain employment groups designed for Fortune 500 clients and regional corporate defendants. Their hourly rates start at $350 and run to $450+, and they expect minimum engagements or retainers. Mid-size boutiques like EBL Advisors focus on litigation and compliance for mid-market employers and charge $250 to $350 per hour. Seltzer's hourly rate and retainer model sit at the lower end of that range, making her more accessible to small business owners who need steady counsel but cannot sustain a $5,000+ monthly legal bill. She is not a substitute for a full-service firm if an employer faces multi-jurisdiction litigation or needs international employment advice. She is the better fit for a Baltimore-area business with 15 to 75 employees that wants experienced counsel on Maryland wage law, EEOC protocol, and termination risk without the overhead of a retainer to a large firm.
Who This Fits, and Who It Does Not
Seltzer suits employers in manufacturing, healthcare, professional services, and hospitality who operate primarily in Maryland or the District and need practical counsel on day-to-day employment decisions. She is strong for companies facing EEOC complaints or administrative investigations and for businesses rebuilding their personnel practices after an internal dispute. She does not suit companies needing immediate crisis representation for a Fortune 500-scale lawsuit, businesses with complex benefits or ERISA issues, or employers operating across multiple states or needing immigration law advice. She also does not serve employees or job applicants; her representation is employer-side only.
What a First Consultation Involves
A consultation with Seltzer typically runs 60 minutes. Come prepared with a description of the underlying situation: if it is a hiring question, bring the job description and any relevant correspondence; if it is a performance or termination matter, bring contemporaneous performance notes and any documents sent to the employee. Bring your employee handbook if you have one, or be ready to describe your current practices. Seltzer will ask about company size, the employee's role, timeline of events, and what you are trying to accomplish (e.g., termination with minimal liability, improved documentation, EEOC response). She will outline potential claims the employee might raise, your exposure under Maryland and federal law, and next steps. The consultation fee is applied to any retainer you subsequently sign; if you do not retain her, it is a standalone $400 charge.
Location, Hours, and Contact
Seltzer's office is located in the Mount Washington area of Baltimore. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; consultations are by appointment. Parking is available in the building lot. She can be reached by phone and email; see her website or Maryland State Bar directory for contact details.
Why Seltzer Matters in Baltimore's Employment Law Market
Smaller employers in Baltimore often cannot justify the cost of boutique firm counsel on a retainer yet face the same compliance risks as larger businesses. Seltzer fills that gap by offering experienced employment law advice at rates that align with small business budgets and by focusing entirely on the statutory and practical issues that affect mid-market companies in her region.
