Commercial Litigation Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Litigation - Construction Litigation - ERISA Litigation - Labor and Employment
Kenneth R. "Ken" Keller
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011 
Firm
Davis Hartman Wright LLP
7 Best Lawyers awards
Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Ken is a litigator who focuses his practice on employment and compliance matters, including issues arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Wage and Hour claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), North Carolina’s Retaliatory Discrimination Act (REDA), the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as well as employment contract disputes, and insurance coverage issues. His clients include businesses and individuals.
Ken represents clients in federal and state courts and agencies, including the EEOC, the Department of Justice, North Carolina’s Retaliatory Discrimination Bureau, and the North Carolina Industrial Commission on OSHA and worker’s comp insurance matters.
Ken’s experience in employment-related issues in particular has made him a sought-after lecturer for a wide variety of industry groups. Before joining Carruthers & Roth, he served a tour of duty with the U.S. Army.
Firm
Davis Hartman Wright LLP
7 Best Lawyers awards
Overview
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D., graduated 1974
- North Carolina State University, BA, graduated 1969
- North Carolina, 1974
- 18th Judicial District Bar - President (2008-09; 2016-17)
- American Bar Association - Member
- American Bar Foundation - Fellow
- Greensboro Bar Association - Past President and Board of Directors
- North Carolina Bar Association - Member
- North Carolina Supreme Court
- Court of Appeals
- All federal and state courts in North Carolina
- North Carolina, 1974
- 18th Judicial District Bar - President (2008-09; 2016-17)
- American Bar Association - Member
- American Bar Foundation - Fellow
- Greensboro Bar Association - Past President and Board of Directors
- North Carolina Bar Association - Member
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, J.D., graduated 1974
- North Carolina State University, BA, graduated 1969
- North Carolina Supreme Court
- Court of Appeals
- All federal and state courts in North Carolina
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Triad (2025)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Commercial Litigation
- Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
- Litigation - Construction
- Litigation - ERISA
- Litigation - Labor and Employment
Awards:
- Phi Kappa Phi Honor society at NCSU
Business North Carolina Legal Elite 2008-2009, 2012-2016, 2018, 2021-2022
- BA with High Honors, NCSU 1969
- BA with High Honors, NCSU 1969
- Best Lawyers in America, 2011-2023
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
- North Carolina Law Review, 1972-1974; Research Editor North Carolina Law Review 1973-74; J.D. with honors from UNC 1974
- North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2017-2020
- Rotary Club of Greensboro Rotarian of the Year, 2002
News & Media
Additional Information
Case History
Cases
- Representative Cases
- Successfully defended a general contractor in a wrongful death claim involving two subcontractors who suffocated in a utility manhole.
- Successfully defended a former Chief of Police in an employment case alleging privacy intrusion, conspiracy and negligent supervision.
- Successfully defended an employer against a claim alleging wrongful discharge after drug testing by a non-accredited laboratory. A summary judgment in favor of the employer was affirmed by the North Carolina Supreme Court.
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