Baker Donelson has continued to grow its recently opened Charleston, South Carolina, office, adding Grant Wills, an employment litigation attorney with extensive experience advising clients on a variety of employment issues and litigating civil and administrative employment matters.
Mr. Wills, who joins as an associate, was previously with the national law firm Fisher Phillips, LLP, where he practiced as a management-side labor and employment attorney. He advises businesses on a variety of workplace issues arising under state and federal employment laws, including matters involving worker misclassification; non-compete agreements and other restrictive covenants; whistleblowing; trade secrets; discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims; reductions in force; wrongful discharge; and wage and hour laws. He also regularly drafts and reviews employment agreements, handbooks, and policies for employers with operations across the country.
As an employment litigation attorney, Mr. Wills defends employers of all sizes before state and federal courts, and before administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). In addition, he advises and represents employers in traditional labor matters, including union organizing campaigns, unfair labor practice charges, grievance arbitrations, and collective bargaining negotiations. He also focuses on providing compliance advice to federal contractors and subcontractors on affirmative action and Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) regulations and audits.
"Grant is an outstanding addition to our growing team here," said Ashley Cooper, managing shareholder of the Firm's Charleston office. "Our goal is to grow where we have the opportunity to add experienced lawyers who can service client needs. Grant reflects our goal, and we are excited to have him join our office. We look forward to Grant's contributions and to continuing to expand our Charleston team."
Baker Donelson launched its Charleston office in September 2022 with four new shareholders: Mr. Cooper, an energy attorney; Jennifer K. Dunlap, an employment attorney; and health law attorneys Alissa Fleming and Catherine F. Wrenn. Less than a month later, the Firm doubled the size of the Charleston location with the addition of another group of four attorneys: Sandra Miller, of counsel in the Health Group; Will Middleton, an associate in the Corporate Group; and Alexandra Breazeale and Mya Green, associates in the Business Litigation Group.
Baker Donelson has significantly increased its presence in the Carolinas over the last two years. In addition to the opening of the Charleston office in 2022, the Firm launched its first North Carolina location in October 2021, adding a team of five health care attorneys in the Raleigh/Research Triangle. That office has also continued to grow, with the addition of another four attorneys since its initial launch. Baker Donelson has had a location in Columbia, South Carolina, since 2016.