G. Bryan Adams, III

Bryan Adams is a Charlotte native who has over 30 years of experience representing employers in all varieties of employment litigation. Named to Super Lawyers “Top 100 Lawyers in North Carolina” and 2020 Lawyer of the Year in Employment Law-Management in Charlotte and 2022 Lawyer of the Year in Labor Law – Management in Charlotte (Best Lawyers in America), he has litigated cases in all levels of the state and federal court systems, both at the trial and appellate levels, including the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court, and in arbitration proceedings before the American Arbitration Association.

Bryan has extensive experience representing clients in lawsuits and administrative proceedings in all areas of employment law including employment discrimination, sexual harassment, wage and hour claims and audits, wrongful discharge, retaliation, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, covenants not to compete and trade secrets protection, charges under the North Carolina REDA statute, EEOC and other federal and state agency proceedings, and unemployment claims. He has also represented clients before the United States Department of Labor regarding allegations of unpaid wages and overtime compensation, as well as application of overtime exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. He has also defended clients facing unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board. Bryan also counsels and advises clients on a wide variety of employment-related issues such as implementation of reductions-in-force, disciplinary actions, discharges, and drafting employee handbooks and employment contracts.

Bryan is also a North Carolina certified mediator.

Defended a group of departing executives in complex business litigation lawsuit brought by their former employer before the North Carolina Business Court involving multiple claims including unfair trade practices, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference with contract, prospective business relations and defamation.

Obtained nationwide preliminary injunction on behalf of environmental services company in lawsuit against former employee for violation of a covenant not to compete and misappropriation of trade secrets.

Represented local trucking company in appeal to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit of adverse trial verdict (represented by other counsel) in Title VII racial harassment, racial discrimination and retaliation lawsuit.

On behalf of a professional racing industry vendor in multiple claims by terminated employees, obtained dismissal of multiple EEOC charges of discrimination, an NC DOL retaliation claim, and a US DOL overtime claim, defeated a motion for summary judgment seeking declaration that non-competition covenant was facially invalid and obtained dismissal of appeal of denial of summary judgment.

Motion to dismiss brought on behalf of business client granted for lack of standing in action brought by disabled plaintiff under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act public accommodations provisions.