Overview

William H. Foster focuses his practice on issues of employment law, human resources, employee benefits and immigration on a local, regional and national basis. He advises and defends employers in employment-related matters, including:

  • Discrimination and retaliation under federal and state equal employment opportunity laws
  • State common law wrongful discharge
  • Non-compete and trade secrets agreements and related litigation
  • Employee benefits litigation under ERISA
  • Immigration compliance
  • Contract disputes
  • Corporate investigations and risk management
  • Allegations of sexual abuse

Bill's extensive experience includes numerous employment law and employee benefits class actions. He has defended clients in jury and non-jury cases in state and federal courts in South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.

Prior to joining Littler, Bill led the employment practice of a large South Carolina firm. After law school, Bill clerked for the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.

Bill is a frequent lecturer for both industry and legal forums.

 

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member, Executive Committee

Blue Ridge Council of Boy Scouts of America

Member

Leadership Greenville

Past Chair

Greenville Events

Recognition

Named, The Best Lawyers in America®

2009-2024

Ranked, Labor & Employment

Chambers USA

2007-2023

Named, Legal Elite of the Upstate

Labor and Employment Law

Greenville Business Magazine

2013, 2015-2017, 2019

Named, Super Lawyer

South Carolina

Super Lawyers

2009-2017

News, Analysis & Press

Tap-dancing in the Minefield: Handling on the Job Injuries Under the ADA

FMLA and Workers Compensation

February 2008

Stress and Mental Disorders in the Workplace: Increased Focus Under the Americans with Disabilities

South Carolina Lawyer

July/August 1996

Speaking Engagements

2023 Carolinas Regional Employer Conference

Charlotte, NC

September 14, 2023

2022 Carolinas Regional Employer Conference

Charlotte, NC

September 8, 2022

Littler Greenville Roundtable: What to Expect in 2021

Greenville, SC

April 27, 2021

2020 Year in Review and What to Expect in 2021 in North and South Carolina

December 1, 2020

COVID-19 FAQs with Littler

Greenville SHRM Webinar

April 9, 2020

Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Managing the Challenges That Arise When the Employment Relationship Ends

2020 ACC-SC Winter Meeting, Greenville, SC

February 28, 2020

The Time is Now to Plan for AI & Robotics to Improve Your Company’s Hiring Learning Security Productivity & Morale

Association of Corporate Counsel South Carolina Annual Meeting, Charleston, SC

September 23, 2019

Back in Black II, The South Carolina Year in Review

South/North Carolina Bar Labor & Employment Sections Law Joint Annual Meeting

Fall 2013

We’re From the Government and We’re Here to Help: Recent Developments in Employment Law under the Obama Administration

SC Defense Trial Attorneys Association

April 15, 2010

Send Lawyers, Guns and Money, the Poop Has Hit the Fan: Current Trends in Employment Law

South/North Carolina Bar Labor & Employment Sections Law Joint Annual Meeting

October 15, 2008

Key Employment Decisions of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, South Carolina Courts

South Carolina/North Carolina Employment Law Annual Bar Meeting

July 15, 2004

Education

  • J.D., University of South Carolina, School of Law, 1993magna cum laude
  • B.A., Furman University, 1990

Bar Admission

South Carolina

Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina