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Amie is a partner in the litigation department and focuses her practice in the areas of employment law, litigation, and dispute resolution. Amie regularly advises employers on compliance and litigation avoidance related to state and federal employment laws and regulations, NASD rules, and third party compliance agency procedures; represents clients before administrative, regulatory and investigative agencies; and represents employers in state and federal court and arbitration venues with respect to a variety of employment matters including non-competition disputes, protection of confidential information, trade secrets, employment discrimination, wage and hour issues, employee misconduct, breaches of officer and director fiduciary duties and duties of loyalty, and other issues that arise in the human resources and employment areas. Amie is experienced in handling employment related matters in a wide variety of industries including securities, product development and manufacturing, high technology, health services, health products, biotechnology, engineering, real estate development and management, and consumer sales, to name a few. Amie also assists employers with drafting employment related contracts, policies and documents, including employee handbooks and policies, employment agreements, confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants, non-disclosure agreements, separation agreements, and other employment documents, and coordinates with the Firm's Employee Benefits Section on matters related to executive compensation, stock agreements and employee benefit plans. In addition, Amie supports business transactions with due diligence on employment law documents, disclosures and issues. Amie served as law clerk to the Honorable William L. Osteen, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, 1995-1996.
Representative Matters
Represents local, regional, and nation-wide companies in both prosecution and defense of actions to enforce non-compete agreements in a variety of venues, including state and federal courts in various states, and NASD Dispute Resolution
Represents management in a variety of agency procedures, including Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigations, Employment Security Commission unemployment determinations, Department of Labor inquiries, Occupational Safety and Health Act inspections, and others.
Drafted, reviewed and negotiated various types of employment agreements, many separation agreements and severance packages for departing employees.
Defended national hotel chain in multiple discrimination lawsuits (race, disability, FMLA, retaliation claims) in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Enforced employment and stock restriction agreements with departing employees.
Defended technology company in multi-million dollar commercial dispute, with trial in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, and appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Defended regional franchisor in contract dispute with supplier, resulting in settlement favorable to client.
Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated various types of employment-related agreements, including employment agreements, non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements and severance packages for departing employees.
Supported numerous business transactions with due diligence on employment law documents, disclosures and issues.
Publications, Presentations and Awards
North Carolina Super Lawyers, Employment and Labor Law, 2007-2008
Legal Elite, Business North Carolina Magazine, Employment Law, 2007-2008
Legal Elite Young Guns, Business North Carolina Magazine, 2007-2008
"Structuring an Effective Employee Handbook," National Business Institute, Establishing Discipline and Termination Procedures to Avoid Disputes CLE, April 2007
North Carolina Super Lawyers, Top 50 Women Attorneys, 2007
"Avoiding Costly Fines Through Proper Workplace Safety Documentation," presentation to National Business Institute (Seminar: Secrets to a Legally Compliant Human Resources Recordkeeping System), April 2006
"Employment Law Claims--The True Test of Your Recordkeeping Systems," presentation to National Business Institute (Seminar: Secrets to a Legally Compliant Human Resources Recordkeeping System),
Professional, Civic and Community Involvement
Professional: North Carolina Bar Association Strategic Planning and Emerging Trends Committee, 2007-2008; Young Lawyers Division; Lawyer Effectiveness and Quality of Life Committee, Co-Chair, 2000-2004; Chair, 2004-2005
United States Criminal Justice Act Panel Attorney, 1996-present
Wake County Bar Association, 1999-present. |
