Donald E. English, Jr.
Donald (Donny) E. English, Jr. handles high-stakes employment litigation, trials, and investigations for major corporations. A veteran and versatile trial attorney, Donny has tried cases before juries involving discrimination, retaliation, restrictive covenant, wage and hour, class action, wrongful termination, and whistleblower claims in federal and state courts across the country. Donny leads high-profile investigations into employee misconduct and workplace culture. He also advises employers on litigation avoidance by providing practical advice and training on a variety of workplace law matters, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, reductions in force, and restrictive covenants.
Donny handles all aspects and phases of litigation from demand letter through appeal. In addition to his trial success, he brings a proactive and creative approach to litigation that has resulted in numerous victories on dispositive motions in federal and state courts. Donny is also seasoned in litigating against federal and state agencies. He represents employers in systemic discrimination investigations and litigation brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Donny represents employers across several industries, including aerospace and defense, automotive, construction, healthcare, higher education, life sciences, retail, financial services, and technology.
Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Donny was a principal at another US law firm, co-leading its trials and appeals practice group and serving as a member of its board of directors and as managing principal of its Baltimore office. Before beginning his legal career, Donny served as an officer in the US Air Force.
- Obtained defense verdict as lead trial counsel in 2025 public accommodations discrimination jury trial in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- Obtained judgment for defendant as lead trial counsel after a two-week trial as lead counsel in a 2023 race discrimination, harassment, and retaliation trial in the Circuit Court for the State of Oregon for the County of Multnomah
- Obtained a defense verdict as lead trial counsel after a three-week trial as lead counsel in a 2022 False Claims Act jury trial in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- Obtained judgment for defendant after a two-week trial and appeal as lead counsel in 2022 constructive discharge jury trial in the US District Court for the Southern District of California
- Obtained jury verdict after a four-week trial on all claims and an award of $7.5 million in compensatory and punitive damages as lead trial counsel for plaintiff construction company in a 2021 unfair competition jury trial in the US District Court for the District of Maryland involving nine claims and 11 defendants
- Obtained defense verdict as lead trial counsel on class claim as lead trial counsel in a 2021 class action jury trial in the US District Court for the District of Maryland
- Obtained defense verdict on all claims after three-day hearing and post-hearing briefs as lead counsel in 2021 age discrimination arbitration hearing
- Obtained order denying motion for temporary restraining order as lead counsel in 2021 temporary restraining order action involving a challenge to client’s vaccine mandate policy
- Obtained an order affirming defense verdict after oral argument before the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in 2019 in a breach of employment agreement dispute
- Obtained judgment for defendant as lead trial counsel in a 2018 bench trial in the US District Court of the Middle District of Pennsylvania in a breach of employment agreement dispute
- Obtained defense verdict as lead trial counsel in a 2018 jury trial in the US District Court for the District of Maryland in sexual harassment dispute
- Obtained a defense verdict after a two-week trial in federal court for major US automobile manufacturer in a sexual harassment action
- Defeated motion for temporary restraining order on behalf of an employee of a major marketing company in an action to enforce a noncompete agreement
- Obtained a defense verdict after a two-week jury trial in state court as lead counsel for a major US automobile manufacturer in a product liability action
- Obtained favorable ruling as lead counsel for a major communications company in state court bench trial involving an easement dispute
- Represented a major university in a federal court bench trial involving a patent dispute
- The George Washington University Law School, 2000, J.D.
- United States Air Force Academy, 1995, B.S., political science
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- US Supreme Court
- US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- US District Court for the District of Columbia
- US District Court for the District of Maryland
Recognized, Stand-Out Lawyer, Thomson Reuters (2025)
Recognized, Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation (2025)
Ranked, Labor & Employment, Chambers USA (2024)
Recommended, Legal 500 US (2023–2025)
Recipient, North America Awards: Labor, Employment & Benefits, Lexology (2024)
Recipient, Client Choice Award, Lexology (2024, 2025)
Recognized, Employment Litigation, Maryland Super Lawyers (2025)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law – Management (2025)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation – Labor and Employment (2024, 2025)
Named, Business & Employment Law Power List, The Daily Record (2022)
Board Chair, LIGHT Health and Wellness Comprehensive Service, Inc.
Board Member, Higher Achievement, Inc.
Member, Litigation Section, District of Columbia Bar Association
Member, Litigation Section, Maryland State Bar Association
Member, Commercial Law Section, National Bar Association
