Randel E. Phillips

A senior member of the firm’s Employment group, Randy has more than 35 years of experience counseling employers on a wide range of employment law issues. He currently focuses his practice on advising nonprofits, including private schools and churches, and large and small businesses in manufacturing and energy production.

Randy has represented employers in North Carolina's three federal district courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the North Carolina courts, the North Carolina Human Relations Commission, the U.S. Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, and grievance arbitrations for unionized employers.

Representative Experience

• Cathy B. Champion, Administratrix, v. PPG Industries, Inc. and PPG Industries Fiber Glass Products, Inc. ( W.D. N.C. 2004).  Summary judgment granted in wrongful death case, based on workers comp preemption
• Wilkins v. DenAmerica, Inc. et al. ( W.D. N.C. 2000).  Suit alleging racially discriminatory service at a Denny's restaurant.  After winning summary judgment for franchisor and its corporate parent, won jury verdict for remaining defendant, the franchisee
• Coates et al vs. Biggers Brothers, Inc. 3:94CV194MU. (W.D.N.C.).  Representative FLSA action involving a variety of overtime claims by approximately 300 plaintiffs

Notable

• Business North Carolina Legal Elite, 2006, 2010-2011
• North Carolina Super Lawyers, Employment & Labor, 2005, 2007 - 2008
• North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society, 2018-2020, 2023
• North Carolina chapter co-author, Wage and Hour Laws: A State by State Survey, Second, Third and upcoming Fourth Editions (Bloomberg BNA)
• Chair, North Carolina Board of Law Examiners
• Director, Mecklenburg Bar Foundation
• Member, State Judicial Council's Salary and Benefits Committee
• Former member, Johnson C. Smith University Board of Visitors
• Past president, Community School of the Arts
• Former director, Charlotte Arts & Science Council
• Past chair, Friends of the Arts at Davidson Advisory Board
• Volunteer, local homeless support center
• Law Clerk to Hon. James B. McMillan, United States District Court, Western District of North Carolina, 1979-1980

News

Affiliations

• North Carolina Bar Association: Employment and Litigation Sections
• American Bar Association: Labor and Employment and Professional Responsibility Sections
• American Bar Association: State Labor Law Developments Committee (Management Chair, 1991-1994)
• Charter Member, American Employment Law Council, 1993-Present
• Member, North Carolina Board of Law Examiners, 2005-2019, Chair 2013-2015
• Former Director, Mecklenburg Bar Foundation
• Former Member, State Judicial Council's Salary and Benefits Committee