Charles A. Powell has represented employers throughout the southeast against employment discrimination and harassment, non-competition and wage and hour litigation suits for more than 18 years. He has a strong record of successfully defending employers against various employment and labor law claims, including:

• A retail chain in a jury trial alleging sexual harassment and state law tort claims
• A hospital in a jury trial alleging racially discriminatory promotion, discharge and retaliation claims
• A manufacturing client in a discriminatory discharge jury trial
• A hotel and restaurant in a trial alleging disability discrimination

• A mobile home manufacturer in contentious trials alleging race, gender and national origin discrimination

Charles also has particular experience with:

• Title VII
• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act
• The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act
• The Family and Medical Leave Act
• The Equal Pay Act
• The Fair Labor Standards Act
• Section 1981
• State Law Tort Claims

He also successfully defeated class certification efforts in a racial harassment case filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and has experience litigating wage and hour collective claims involving misclassification and off-the-clock issues.

Additionally, Charles offers counseling on compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws to numerous types of employers, ranging from small businesses to publicly held companies.

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

• Member, Labor and Employment Law Section - American Bar Association
• Member, Equal Employment Opportunity Committee - American Bar Association
• Member, Railway and Airline Labor Law Committee - American Bar Association
• Member, Employer Council - American Bar Association 2009-2013
• Co-chair, CLE/ Institutes and Meetings Committee - American Bar Association 2006-2009
• Co-chair, EEO Committee Government Liaison Program - American Bar Association, 2001-present
• Member, Labor and Employment Law Section - Alabama State Bar
• Member, Labor and Employment Law Section - Florida Bar
• Member, Birmingham Bar Association
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation
• Chair, McWane Science Center
• Secretary/ founding board member, Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham
• Eagle Scout

RECOGNITION

• Named, International Who's Who of Management Labour and Employment Lawyers - Who's Who Legal, 2012
• Named, The Best Lawyers in America, 2010-2013
• Named, America's Leading Business for Business - Chambers USA, 2008-2012
• Named, Management Labour and Employment - Who's Who Legal, 2011
• Named, Super Lawyer - Alabama, 2008
• Awarded, Martindale-Hubbell AV® Peer Review Rating
• Named, Outstanding Professional Advisor - Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, 2006