Brian has practiced management labor and employment law for over 30 years, with extensive experience representing public and private employers with local, national and multinational operations and a practice focused on:
Brian frequently lectures and provides training on affirmative action, discrimination law, hiring and firing employees, sexual harassment, workplace violence, FLSA compliance, and employee testing/privacy.
While earning his law degree at the University of Virginia, he was recipient of the prestigious Earl K. Shawe Labor Relations Award.
Defense of clients in OFCCP compliance reviews and resolutions of E.O. 11246, VEVRRA and Rehabilitation Act issues with OFCCP District and Regions nationally.
Representation of multi-national clients in federal contractor affirmative action compliance efforts, including development of affirmative action plan templates and forms, selection system review and analytics, annual HR team and recruiter training, and internal compliance reviews and reporting at targeted locations.
Representation of clients regarding the design and structure of global online applicant tracking, selection and reporting systems used for U.S. affirmative action reporting.
Defense of national client in one of the largest OFCCP multi-site compliance audits in the past 10 years and its related resolution, involving 5 years of alleged class activity, 20,000+ applicants and underlying federal contracts worth more than $1.4 billion.
National outside employment “triage” counsel for public and private companies, providing advice and support to HR teams and in-house counsel in connection with internal employee investigations, covenant not to compete development and enforcement, employee leave and other disputes, EEOC/DOL charges and related litigation, employee restructuring and facility closings, corporate acquisitions and transactions, data privacy, and strategic HR risk analysis.
Representation of corporate boards in senior executive contract development, tax analysis, negotiation and implementation.
Representation of employers in multi-unit reorganizations, structural realignments and WARN reductions in force.
Representation and defense of clients in senior executive-level investigations, governmental reporting and related discipline / separations.
Member, North Carolina Bar Association
Member, 26th Judicial District Bar Candidates Committee
Member, Employment Libel and Privacy Law Committee, National Media Law Resource Center, 2009-present
Chair, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) North Chapter, 2019-2021
Chair, Board of Directors, Siskey Family YMCA, 2012-2013
Coordinator, Roof Above / Room In The Inn homeless ministry, 2004-present
Pro Bono Representation: Roof Above, Charlotte Rescue Mission, Girls on the Run International, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Charlotte Ballet, Thompson Child & Family Focus
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Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment, Woodward/White, Inc., 2013, 2015-2024
Labor & Employment - North Carolina, Band 4, 2021; Band 3, 2022, 2023, Chambers USA
North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society, 2018-2023
Roz Greenspon Award for Community Service, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, North Carolina Chapter, 2021
Earl K. Shawe Labor Relations Award, University of Virginia School of Law
Order of the Coif, University of Virginia School of Law
Phi Beta Kappa, University of Virginia
Selected for inclusion in America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Labor & Employment, North Carolina, Chambers USA, 2020
George Williams Award for Volunteer Service, YMCA of Greater Charlotte