Best Lawyers in South Carolina, United States for Labor and Employment Law - Management

Chris Ogiba is a versatile litigator who focuses on high stakes matters for a variety of institutional, corporate, and individual clients. He is a go-to trial attorney for several Fortune 500 companies, home builders, financial institutions, accounting firms, household-name retailers, construction companies, industrial and manufacturing entities, and real estate developers. Chris is an experienced civil litigator and trial attorney who has successfully represented a wide variety of clients in...

An experienced litigator who represents management in labor and employment matters, Kristin Gray partners with employers in a variety of industries, including healthcare, retail, restaurant, hospitality, banking, and manufacturing. Kristin helps employers facing issues related to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims, employment policies, handbooks, leaves of absence, accommodation issues, employment contracts, separation agreements, wage and hour issues, and other workplace matt...

Charles T. ("Ted") Speth II is the Managing Shareholder of the firm's Columbia, South Carolina, office. He has concentrated his practice in employment-related litigation matters during his entire legal career. Ted has successfully defended employers in state and federal litigation throughout the United States. He has devoted a significant amount of time over the last decade to the representation of clients in class action litigation. Ted also provides training and preventive advice to employe...

Fred Manning is a partner in the firm's Columbia office. He has extensive experience litigating employment law matters involving civil rights, contracts, and wrongful termination claims. He regularly provides advice and assistance to employers regarding the drafting and enforcement of restrictive covenants, employment contracts and corrective action. Fred has assisted employers throughout the United States in union related matters. He also has extensive experience in representing private coll...

Brandon Gaskins maintains a broad practice that draws upon wide-ranging experience in litigation, land use, governmental, and employment matters. Realizing that no case or legal issue is exactly the same, Brandon applies his skills flexibly to offer clients strategic and innovative solutions. Brandon is an accomplished litigator with experience in complex business and contract disputes, land use and zoning disputes, and cases involving violations of non-competition, confidentiality, and other...

Cara Crotty is a partner who has defended employers in cases involving every aspect of the employment relationship, including claims such as sexual, racial, age, and disability harassment; discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, and national origin; retaliation; and various other federal and state law claims. Cara Crotty also represents federal contractors covered by Executive Order 11246 in their affirmative action compliance obligations by assisting with Plan preparation ...

Fred Suggs is a certified specialist in labor and employment law by the South Carolina Supreme Court. He is a founding lawyer of Ogletree Deakins, having been with the firm since its inception. Mr. Suggs helps companies avoid work-related legal exposure by giving preventive advice and providing training for managers at client locations. Mr. Suggs speaks regularly at employment law conferences, Bar Programs for other lawyers, Association of Corporate Council Meetings, SHRM Conferences for Huma...

Ben Glass is the Managing Shareholder in the Charleston Office of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Ben earned his B.A. from the College of Charleston, and his J.D., cum laude, from the University of South Carolina School of Law. After a judicial clerkship with United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr., Ben joined Ogletree, Deakins in 1995. For the last 19 years, he has represented employers in all manner of labor and employment law issues, and spoken regularly on va...

William (Bill) Duda is certified as a specialist in Employment and Labor Law by the South Carolina Supreme Court and was included on the 2013 Best Lawyer list in both Employment Management and Litigation categories. Since 2000, Bill has been helping employers understand and comply with a broad range of employment laws, including Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, the FMLA, the FLSA, trade secret law, restrictive covenants and workers’ compensation. He regularly represents management in emplo...

Michael Oliver Eckard is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Michael Oliver, who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael Oliver is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Frank S. Stern is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Frank S., who practices law in Greenville, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Frank S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen Mitchell is managing partner of the firm's Columbia office. His practice emphasizes traditional labor law and employment litigation. Steve started his career as a prosecutor, gaining valuable trial experience. He has handled administrative charges and lawsuits in state and federal courts involving wrongful discharge, Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Family and Medical Leave A...