Overview

Charles A. Powell has represented employers throughout the Southeast against employment discrimination and harassment, non-competition and wage and hour litigation lawsuits for more than 30 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 involving allegations of  sexual harassment and state law tort claims
  • A hospital in a jury trial over claims of racially discriminatory promotion, discharge and retaliation
  • A manufacturing client in a discriminatory discharge jury trial
  • A hotel and restaurant in a trial involving allegations of disability discrimination
  • A mobile home manufacturer in contentious trials involving race, gender and national origin discrimination claims
  • A retail client in unfair labor practice trials

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 & 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

2009-2015

Member

Practice and Procedure Under the NLRA Committee

American Bar Association

Member

Employment Rights and Responsibilities Committee

American Bar Association

Co-chair

CLE/ Institutes and Meetings Committee

American Bar Association

2006-2009

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

Former chair

McWane Science Center

Member

McWane Science Center Endowment Board

Founding board member

Create Birmingham

Eagle Scout

Recognition

Named, The Best Lawyers in America®

2010-2025

Named, Lawyer of the Year

Litigation - Labor and Employment, Birmingham

The Best Lawyers in America®

2022

Named, Lawyer of the Year

Labor Law - Management, Birmingham

The Best Lawyers in America®

2018

Fellow

College of Labor and Employment Lawyers

Inducted 2017

Named, International Who's Who of Management Labour and Employment Lawyers

Who's Who Legal

2015

Named, Management Labour and Employment

Who's Who Legal

2011-2015, 2024

Ranked, Labor & Employment

Chambers USA

2008-2013, 2015-2024

Named, Super Lawyer

Alabama

Super Lawyers

2008 and 2013-2015

Awarded, AV® Peer Review Rating

Martindale-Hubbell

Named, Outstanding Professional Advisor

Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

2006

News, Analysis & Press

Vincent E. Staub v. Proctor Hospital

Hot Topics, Labor and Employment Law News, ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law

March 2011

Books & Book Chapters

  • Employment Discrimination Law, chapter chair, 3rd and 4th Eds.

Speaking Engagements

Current Employment and Labor Laws Affecting Employers

Birmingham, AL

August 21, 2014

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 1992
  • M.P.A., University of Alabama, 1989
  • B.A., Vanderbilt University, 1987

Bar Admission

Alabama
Florida

Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida