Labor And Employment Attorney

Charlotte, NC (NoDa) | Full-Time | In-Person

About Gardner Skelton

At Gardner Skelton, we’re not your typical law firm—and we’re proud of that. Based in the vibrant and eclectic NoDa neighborhood of Charlotte, we’re a boutique firm that blends elite legal counsel with genuine approachability. From Fortune 500 giants to local startups, healthcare innovators to impactful nonprofits, our clients trust us because we’re smart, thoughtful, and relentlessly practical.

We handle employment law, healthcare law, business litigation, construction law, corporate guidance, tax law, appellate law, and mediation. But more than just lawyers, we’re partners who deeply care about our clients, our community, and each other. The way we work—and the way we treat people—is grounded in our five Core Values: Practice Excellence, Relationships Before Transactions, Creatively Practical, Own It, and Rise Together .

Our office buzzes with collaboration (and occasional barking—because yes, we're proudly dog-friendly), and we’ve worked hard to build an environment that is intentionally different from just about any law firm you’ve ever seen.

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About the Role

We’re seeking an exceptional Employment Attorney with at least 5-7 years of substantive employment law experience to join our growing team. This role is designed for an attorney who can take meaningful ownership of matters, exercise sound judgment, and contribute substantively from the start.

Our employment practice and its leader, Nicole Gardner, are both ranked for Labor & Employment in North Carolina by Chambers and Partners, a leading international authority on law firm and attorney rankings. Nicole is also repeatedly recognized on Super Lawyers’ Top 50 Women in North Carolina list. You’ll work closely with Nicole and our employment team, with direct access to experienced colleagues who are invested in your growth and success.

Our employment practice primarily represents businesses, combining proactive workplace counseling with defense of employment claims. We also represent senior executives and other professionals in employment negotiations and disputes, including plaintiff-side matters.

From day one, you’ll take meaningful ownership of matters and work directly with business leaders, in-house counsel, and human resources professionals. You’ll be expected to assess legal risk in the context of each client’s broader goals, explain options clearly, and recommend practical next steps.

For an experienced attorney ready to deepen their employment law practice, this role offers challenging work, opportunities to build lasting client relationships, and the support of a collaborative team. We value excellent legal work, practical problem-solving, and genuine work-life balance, and we’re committed to helping you build a rewarding career here.

What You'll Do

• Provide day-to-day employment advice to business leaders, in-house counsel, and human resources professionals on hiring, performance management, discipline, termination, and other workplace decisions.
• Help employers navigate discrimination and harassment concerns, employee accommodations and leave, wage and hour requirements, and employee classification.
• Draft, review, and negotiate employment agreements, restrictive covenants, executive employment arrangements, and severance and separation agreements.
• Develop and revise employee handbooks and workplace policies that are legally sound, practical, and tailored to each client’s organization.
• Conduct workplace investigations, including interviewing witnesses, reviewing documents, evaluating findings, and advising clients on appropriate next steps.
• Support employment compliance reviews and provide training to managers and HR teams to help clients prevent problems and address concerns effectively.
• Advise senior executives and other professionals on employment offers, contract terms, negotiated departures, and resolution of workplace disputes.
• Monitor employment law developments and translate them into clear guidance about what clients need to know and do.
• Manage matters and deadlines proactively, coordinate with partners and legal staff, and build trusted client relationships through responsive communication and high-quality work.

What You Bring

• At least 5-7 years of substantive employment law experience, with a strong background in employment advice and counseling; experience advising employers is strongly preferred.
• Active bar membership in good standing in North Carolina, or eligibility to quickly obtain North Carolina admission.
• A strong working knowledge of federal and state employment laws, including Title VII, the ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and FLSA, and the ability to apply them to real workplace situations.
• Experience advising business leaders, in-house counsel, or HR professionals on sensitive employment decisions and day-to-day workforce issues.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills, including experience with employment agreements, separation agreements, restrictive covenants, handbooks, and workplace policies.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex requirements into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Practical business judgment, including the ability to evaluate legal risk alongside a client’s operational needs, workplace relationships, and broader goals.
• The ability to take ownership of matters, work independently, recognize when to seek input, and collaborate effectively with attorneys and legal staff.
• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and follow-through, with a strong sense of accountability for your work, communication, and impact.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and absolute discretion when handling confidential information and sensitive workplace concerns.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations, delivering employer training, or advising senior executives is a plus.

Why You'll Love Working at Gardner Skelton

• Culture & Community : We’ve cultivated a genuinely supportive environment where everyone’s ideas matter. You’ll work alongside passionate colleagues who truly enjoy their work—and each other.
• Award-Winning Workspace in NoDa : Our office—located in Charlotte’s dynamic NoDa neighborhood—was recognized nationally by the American Society of Interior Designers for best large firm workplace encouraging employee wellness. Learn more here:
• Dog-Friendly Office : Bring your furry best friend to work—we believe pets make the workday better.
• Competitive Compensation & Benefits : We offer attractive salaries ($180,000+ for this role, commensurate with experience) and a competitive benefits package.
• Professional Growth & Development : Continuous learning is encouraged, with opportunities to sharpen your skills and expand your expertise.
• Impact & Recognition : Your contributions won’t go unnoticed here. We’re committed to celebrating successes—and supporting each other through challenges.
• Foodie-Friendly : We believe good food makes for happier people. Unlimited snacks, regular firm-catered meals, a super fancy coffee machine, and a location close to dozens of amazing restaurants are just some of the perks foodies will love about working here.
• Supportive Leadership: You’ll receive strong mentorship and guidance from partners who are deeply invested in your growth and success.
• No Book of Business Required: We don’t expect you to bring or build your own book of business—we want you to focus on learning, contributing, and thriving.

Ready to join a team that’s redefining what it means to practice law? We can’t wait to hear from you.

NOTE: This is an in-person role and we are looking to fill it quickly, but please don't hesitate to apply even if you're not currently located in the Charlotte area. We're happy to work with you on a transition plan to bridge the gap as long as you're willing to relocate here within a reasonable timeline.