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Meet Our Professionals

Shalanna L. Pirtle

Partner
Charlotte | 704.335.6628
Atlanta | By Appointment Only
Fax | 704.334.4706

Shalanna L. Pirtle is a certified mediator and employment attorney who represents management-side clients in all industries and aspects of the employment relationship. An analytical counselor with intuitive problem-solving skills, she concentrates her practice in the areas of employment counseling, internal investigations, wrongful discharge, employment contract disputes, wage and hour issues, and single and multi-party litigation.

Clients rely on Shalanna to navigate high-profile, complex situations. She has deep experience with the myriad considerations clients must take into account as they work to advance strategic priorities and prevent or manage crises. She brings particular strength in assessing litigation risk, managing sensitive employment disputes, and helping employers resolve workplace issues efficiently. She is highly regarded for her innate ability to develop cost-effective solutions that are tailored to fit the needs of each organization.

Shalanna regularly defends employers in litigation under all of the state and federal anti-discrimination laws, as well as employment contract disputes, wrongful discharge claims, and wage and hour issues. She also represents clients in proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the North Carolina Departments of Labor and Commerce.

Shalanna is also a trusted mediator. Certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission, Shalanna mediates disputes of varying subject matters at the state and federal levels, both before and during litigation. She has deep experience identifying key areas of dispute, building bridges to better understanding between parties, and helping them find common ground.

Finally, she has served as a leader within Parker Poe, including as the firm's executive overseeing all aspects of talent management and diversity and inclusion (D&I). In over four years in that role, she set the strategic vision and oversaw implementation of the firm’s efforts related to D&I, professional development, and recruiting and retention.

Representative Experience

Employment Counseling & Compliance

  • Represented employers in issues arising under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, FLSA, FMLA, USERRA, the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act, and other state and federal employment laws.
  • Counseled employers on a broad range of employment issues, including wrongful discharge, retaliation, harassment, discrimination, breach of contract, restrictive covenants, wage and hour compliance, and other claims arising from the employment relationship.
  • Advised colleges and universities on employment issues unique to higher education, including Title IX compliance, workplace investigations, and employee relations.
  • Counseled employers on workforce management issues, including reductions in force, WARN Act and OWBPA compliance, hiring, performance management, discipline, and termination decisions.
  • Counseled clients on human resources best practices, workplace culture and sensitivity issues, policy development, and risk management strategies.
  • Drafted and revised employee handbooks, employment agreements, confidentiality agreements, non-competition agreements, and other employment-related policies and contracts.
  • Conducted training on equal employment law concepts, implicit bias, diversity and inclusion, wage and hour compliance, leadership best practices, and other workplace issues.

Workplace Investigations

  • Conducted workplace and higher education investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, hostile work environment, employee misconduct, and unfair treatment.
  • Conducted campus investigations involving Title IX, faculty misconduct, student complaints, and employee relations issues.
  • Conducted investigations involving collegiate athletic programs and athletic departments that attracted significant public and media attention, including an internal investigation of a Division I women's basketball program and head coach involving allegations of racial insensitivity and concerns regarding student-athlete well-being.
  • Assisted clients with developing and implementing compliance, corrective action, and risk-mitigation measures following internal and government investigations.

Alternative Dispute Resolution & Mediation

  • Mediated disputes at the state and federal levels before and during litigation.
  • Assisted parties in identifying key issues, fostering productive dialogue, and achieving practical resolutions.

Employment Litigation

  • Defended employers and businesses in multi-plaintiff and multi-defendant litigation, including employment and complex business/commercial contract disputes.
  • Defended employers in litigation involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, wage and hour disputes, restrictive covenants, and employment contract claims.
  • Represented and defended employers in proceedings before administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the North Carolina Departments of Labor and Commerce, as well as in state and federal courts in matters arising under state and federal employment laws.

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Honors & Awards

  • The Best Lawyers in America in Labor and Employment Litigation, Employment Law: Management, 2021-2026
  • The Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year" in Charlotte for Labor and Employment Litigation, 2024
  • Charlotte Business Journal's Power 100, 2023
  • Savoy magazine's Most Influential Black Lawyers, 2022, 2024
  • Columbia Business Monthly, Charleston Business Magazine, and Greenville Business Magazine Best in Business Award for Best Diversity and Inclusion Officer, 2023-2024
  • Career Mastered magazine Women’s Leadership Diversity IMPACT 50 List, 2022
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2014-2017
  • The Mecklenburg Times' 50 Most Influential Women, 2017
  • Charlotte ATHENA Leadership Award Honoree, 2017
  • Order of the Barristers

Memberships

  • Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, General Counsel, 2023-present
  • Mecklenburg County Bar, Board of Directors, 2015-2018; Diversity and Inclusion Committee, 2012-2015; Co-Chair, Bench Bar and Community Sub-Committee, 2014-2015
  • Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Charlotte Chapter, Legislative Committee, Chair, 2016-2020, Member, 2013-present
  • Arrowood Business Association, 2016
  • Leadership Charlotte Class 33, Alumni Committee, 2014-2015
  • North Carolina Bar Association, Coordinator, Law Week Western Regional Moot Court Competition, 2008-2012
  • KIPP Charlotte Charter School, Board of Directors, 2008-2012; Vice-Chair, 2010-2011; Chair, Human Resources Committee, 2009-2011; Chair, Grievance Committee, 2008-2011
  • Stratford-Richardson YMCA, Secretary, Financial Outreach Action Development Team, 2010-2011
  • John S. Leary Association of Black Attorneys, 2007-present