Mr. Murphy concentrates his practice primarily in the areas of employment and labor law. Mr. Murphy has experience representing management in all types of employment matters before federal and state courts and administrative agencies including representing and counseling clients concerning discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful discharge, breach of employment contracts, noncompetition covenant disputes, and wage and hour claims. He also has experience working on traditional labor law matters including union election campaigns and contract negotiations.
Experience
Experience:
- Obtained summary judgment in multiple cases for large automotive industry suppliers in race, sex, and age discrimination lawsuits
- Negotiated favorable settlement of multi-plaintiff reverse national-origin action at administrative stage
- Successfully enforced non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidential information covenants on behalf of large regional bank against its former employees
- Obtained summary judgment on contract and South Carolina Payment of Wages Act claims by former firefighters of large municipality
- Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of large automotive manufacturer in action to recover relocation expenses from former employee
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of large automotive supplier in race discrimination action filed by former human resources manager
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of construction company in disability discrimination and workers’ compensation retaliatory discharge action filed by former employee
- Successfully defended large South Carolina municipality in contract action by former employees claiming benefits, resulting in plaintiffs' voluntary dismissal
- Obtained summary judgment for large national pharmacy chain in state law defamation, unfair trade practices and blacklisting action by former employee
- Negotiated favorable settlement on behalf of services company in class action WARN action
- Obtained summary judgment (affirmed on appeal) on behalf of electrical contractor in Labor Management Relations Act § 301 “Hybrid” action
- Provided daily advice to clients on various labor and employment issues, including compliance, employee discipline and discharge and policy revisions
- Conducted nationwide wage and hour compliance audit for large telecommunications company
- Investigated harassment and discrimination claims for clients and represented clients before state administrative agencies and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Prepared non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements on behalf of numerous clients
Admitted to Practice:
Georgia
South Carolina
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth and Eleventh Circuits
U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
Professional Activities
Professional Activities:
- State Bar of Georgia (Labor and Employment Section, Young Lawyers Division, Ethics and Professionalism Committee)
- South Carolina Bar (Labor and Employment Section, Young Lawyers Division, Professional Development and Conventions Committees)
- Graduate, 2010 South Carolina Bar Leadership Academy
- American Bar Association (Labor and Employment Section, Young Lawyers Division, Labor and Employment Committee, Vice-Chair, 2009-2010)
- Greenville Rotary Club
- Alta Vista Neighborhood Association (Secretary/Treasurer)
- Duke University Alumni Admissions Committee
- Leadership Greenville - Class 38
Speeches:
- Human Resources Law Update - "The Dangers of Employee Misclassifications" - Greenville - March 8, 2011
- Ogletree Deakins/Greenville Technical College - "The Americans with Disabilities Act" - Greenville - June 16, 2009
- 34th Annual Carolinas Human Resources Conference - "Avoiding Issues That Can Sink Your Vessel: Changes to the ADA and Other Legislation" - Myrtle Beach - May 6, 2009
- Human Resources Law Update - "Ask a Lawyer Panel" - Greenville - 2009
In The News
Published Works:
- November 2010 - South Carolina Lawyer - "Traps for the Unwary in Employment Releases and Waivers"
- Summer 2009 - The South Carolina Bankers Association, Palmetto Banker - "Labor and Employment Laws: What Has Happened and What is Yet to Come"
- Spring 2008 - South Carolina Bar Labor and Employment Section Newsletter - "NLRB Issues Four Important Decisions Impacting Employers"
- December 1, 2007 - Ogletree Deakins Publication - "NLRB Issues Four Important Decisions Impacting Employers"
- January 1, 2007 - Ogletree Deakins Publication - "The Changing State Of The Law Regarding Releases"