John Cole Law PLLC

1 Best Lawyers award

John Cole Law PLLC logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management

Biography

John D. Cole is a litigator with broad experience across the spectrum of employment law and labor law. For more than 20 years, John has represented employers of all sizes in cases throughout the eastern United States. He has handled numerous cases involving virtually all aspects of employment law before various federal courts, federal and state administrative agencies, and the state courts of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. He has also handled employment arbitration cases before AAA and FINRA.

In the area of traditional labor law, John has successfully handled union campaigns, union elections, strikes and unfair labor practice litigation before the National Labor Relations Board. He has also handled collective bargaining agreement negotiations and labor arbitrations.

John also represents high net-worth individuals and business owners with their business and personal legal issues. He has prosecuted and defended businesses and their interests with regard to non-competition agreements, misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair and deceptive trade practices, computer fraud and abuse, and interference with contracts and business relations. He has secured and/or defended against temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions. He has also defended and prosecuted business interests in cases involving RICO, fraud and contract issues.

John regularly counsels and advises clients on all aspects of human resources issues and conducts training programs for management, clients and HR groups. He is a frequent speaker for organizations such as the North Carolina Society for Human Resource Management (NCSHRM), the Charlotte Area Society for Human Resource Management (CASHRM), American Foundry Society (AFS) and the Risk Management Society (RIMS).

While earning his B.A. from Washington and Lee University, John was a captain and four-year letterman for the Generals' varsity football team and was twice selected for the all-conference team. He was an officer in the U.S. Army from 1984-1988.

John Cole Law PLLC

1 Best Lawyers award

John Cole Law PLLC logo

Overview

  • University of Georgia, J.D., graduated 1991

  • North Carolina, North Carolina Bar
  • South Carolina, South Carolina Bar
  • Georgia, Georgia Bar

  • Charlotte Area Society for Human Resource Management - Board of Directors
  • Charlotte Country Day Athletics Boosters - Board member
  • Diversity Forum in Charlotte - Board of Advisors
  • North Carolina SHRM State Council - Board member
  • North Carolina, North Carolina Bar
  • South Carolina, South Carolina Bar
  • Georgia, Georgia Bar
  • Charlotte Area Society for Human Resource Management - Board of Directors
  • Charlotte Country Day Athletics Boosters - Board member
  • Diversity Forum in Charlotte - Board of Advisors
  • North Carolina SHRM State Council - Board member
  • University of Georgia, J.D., graduated 1991

Client Testimonials

John Cole is a very distinguished attorney that provides exceptional insight to difficult situations. His ability to deliver a detailed analysis of a situation in terms that are understandable and meaningful that allows management to make informed decisions goes beyond measurability.

William Littlejohn (Hendrick Motorsports)

Charlotte, NC

Without question, I highly recommend John Cole to any organization in need of labor and employment legal support. Having worked in HR with several large organizations over the past 30 years I have worked on countless employment matters. Of the 15 or so lawyers I've worked with John rates as one of the best. There are three reasons for recommending John. First and foremost, he wins. John has an excellent track record preventing issues from escalating to legal action as well as representing us in court. Second, John is a strategist. He uses his experience and insight to collaborate on the most effective approach to manage legal matters. And third, John has a great personality. He relates well with all types of leadership by blending his sense of humor with the seriousness of the situation.

Dave Magee (Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company)

Charlotte, NC

John has worked on many employment law issues over the years and has always given good practical, sound advice, even if it is not what we wanted to hear. This has been critical in helping us make the right decisions.

Brett Henderson (Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company)

Charlotte, NC

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Employment Law - Management
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Immigration Law
  • Labor Law - Management
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment

Additional Information

  • Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

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