Edward Schenk is an attorney who helps companies resolve complex workforce issues and disputes with business competitors. He represents clients across the United States in virtually all aspects of state and federal employment law, including traditional discrimination and anti-retaliation laws; wage and hour collective and class action defense; trade secret misappropriation; noncompetition litigation; computer trespass; employee data theft; M&A transactional due diligence (L&E); intra-corporate and partnership disputes; workforce integration; and unfair trade practices. Working with the firm’s Intellectual Property, Corporate, Cybersecurity, Employee Benefits and Health Care teams, Edward’s clients include domestic and foreign companies in the technology, life sciences, pharmaceutical, digital marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), health care, performance textiles, restaurant and hospitality, construction and manufacturing industries.
Edward Schenk is an attorney who helps companies resolve complex workforce issues and disputes with business competitors. He represents clients across the United States in virtually all aspects of state and federal employment law, including traditional discrimination and anti-retaliation laws; wage and hour collective and class action defense; trade secret misappropriation; noncompetition litigation; computer trespass; employee data theft; M&A transactional due diligence (L&E); intra-corporate and partnership disputes; workforce integration; and unfair trade practices. Working with the firm’s Intellectual Property, Corporate, Cybersecurity, Employee Benefits and Health Care teams, Edward’s clients include domestic and foreign companies in the technology, life sciences, pharmaceutical, digital marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), health care, performance textiles, restaurant and hospitality, construction and manufacturing industries.
Traditional Employment Law
General counseling and litigation involving:
- Title VII and Title IX (including accusations of discrimination and retaliation based on race, sex, national origin and religion)
- Age and disability discrimination (ADEA, OWBPA, ADA)
- Public and facilities access and accommodations (Section 504)
- Federal and state wage and hour law, including independent contractor misclassification, white collar and other overtime exemptions and other fair labor standards (FLSA)
- Complex medical leaves (FMLA, ADA and workers’ compensation)
- Investigations, audits and enforcement actions by the EEOC, Dept. of Labor and OFCCP
Trade Secrets, Restrictive Covenants and Employee Mobility
General counseling and litigation:
- Breach of employment and restrictive covenant agreements involving noncompetition, nonsolicitation, nondisclosure, proprietary information and intellectual property assignments
- Breach of fiduciary duty, self-dealing and usurping corporate opportunities
- Misappropriation of trade secrets, employee data theft and conversion
- Unfair or deceptive methods of competition
- Computer fraud, abuse and trespass
- Tortious interference with contract
- Civil conspiracy, and aiding and abetting
- Electronic monitoring of employee activity via traditional surveillance, GPS, web platforms, email, mobile device management and sociometrics
Transactional Employment Law:
Merger and acquisition due-diligence, planning and post-closing risk mitigation regarding:
- Reductions-in-force (RIFs), layoffs and closures
- Successor-in-interest liability for state and federal employment law compliance
- Occupational, safety, health and workers’ compensation liabilities (OSHA)
- Executive compensation and employment agreements
- Workforce integration, training and education
Edward has been recognized as a leading labor and employment attorney by Chambers USA (2017-present). He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America© for Workers' Compensation Law-Employers; Litigation-Labor and Employment; and Employment Law-Management (2013-present), and he has been named among North Carolina's "Legal Elite" for Employment Law by Business North Carolina magazine (2016-present). He was listed as a “Rising Star” by North Carolina Super Lawyers magazine in 2011 and 2012, and he was included in Business North Carolina's “Young Guns (Best Under 40)" listing in 2013. Edward has been given an “AV Preeminent” rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating available.
He earned his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from Campbell University and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
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01.05.2021
16 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Business North Carolina’s 2021 ‘Legal Elite’
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12.21.2020
The COVID-19 Vaccine Is Here - Can Employers Mandate Immunization?
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10.13.2020
Williams Mullen’s Litigation and Labor, Employment & Immigration Practices Named in Benchmark Litigation 2021; 15 Attorneys Recognized
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09.14.2020
DOL Doubles Down on its COVID-19 Leave Guidance for the Most Part, the “Old” Normal is Again the “New” Normal
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08.20.2020
116 Williams Mullen Attorneys Listed in 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©; Most Total Lawyers in Virginia
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04.24.2020
Furloughs, Layoffs & Reductions in Force: The Distinctions Impacting Employee Benefits and Employment Laws
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04.06.2020
NC Employers Take Note: New Duty to Notify Laid Off and Furloughed Employees About Unemployment Services
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04.03.2020
DOL Issues New Rule on COVID-19 Sick and Family Leave Pay
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01.02.2020
13 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Business North Carolina’s 2020 ‘Legal Elite’
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09.30.2019
Williams Mullen’s Litigation and Labor, Employment & Immigration Practices Named in Benchmark Litigation 2020; 14 Attorneys Recognized
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08.15.2019
119 Williams Mullen Attorneys Listed in 2020 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©
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01.02.2019
13 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Business North Carolina’s 2019 ‘Legal Elite’; Keith Kapp and Elizabeth Scott Inducted Into Hall of Fame
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08.15.2018
110 Williams Mullen Attorneys Listed in Latest Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©
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05.03.2018
29 Williams Mullen Attorneys, 12 Practice Areas Recognized in Chambers USA 2018 Guide
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01.03.2018
11 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Business North Carolina’s 2018 ‘Legal Elite’
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08.14.2017
114 Williams Mullen Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2018
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05.26.2017
32 Williams Mullen Attorneys, 12 Practice Areas Recognized by Chambers USA for 2017
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01.06.2017
Eight Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Business North Carolina’s ‘Legal Elite’ in 2017
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11.28.2016
Federal Court Blocks Dept. of Labor “Overtime Rules” From Taking Effect on December 1, 2016 – So, Now What?
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08.15.2016
100 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2017 Best Lawyers in America
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05.18.2016
U.S. Dept. of Labor Finally Announces Important New Overtime Rules – How Will Your Business Be Affected?
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05.02.2016
One Year Later: The DOL’s “New” Overtime Rules Are Finally On The Way – Get Ready!
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01.11.2016
Seven Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2016 North Carolina ‘Legal Elite’
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12.01.2015
Edward Schenk Quoted by BloombergBNA about Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
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08.17.2015
106 Williams Mullen Attorneys named 2016 Best Lawyers in America
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08.13.2015
Fourth Circuit Rejects “Manager Rule” in Title VII Cases
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07.16.2015
Department of Labor Publishes Guidance on Employee Misclassification
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06.03.2015
Supreme Court Sides with EEOC in Longstanding Hijab Dispute with National Clothing Retailer
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05.12.2015
Proposed Changes to North Carolina’s E-Verify Requirements Could Affect More Than 100,000 Additional Employers.
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05.12.2015
Virginia & North Carolina Launch New Initiatives on Misclassification of Employees as Independent Contractors
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04.22.2015
EEOC Issues Important Proposed Rule Governing Employer Wellness Programs
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04.20.2015
Edward Schenk featured in North Carolina Lawyers Weekly "Lawyers on the Move"
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04.08.2015
Williams Mullen Welcomes Labor and Employment Partner Edward S. Schenk III
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10.16.2019
Avoiding Wage and Hour Violations
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05.08.2019
Joint Employment – The Hidden Liability
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02.22.2019
Mock OSHA Trial
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04.25.2018
The Intersection of FMLA, ADA & Workers’ Compensation
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02.02.2018
Electronic Monitoring in the Workplace: Social Media to Sociometrics – Balancing Employer Interests & Employee Privacy Rights
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09.29.2017
Managing Complex Leaves of Absence: Navigating the Intersection of FMLA, ADA & Workers’ Compensation Leave
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10.25.2016
NCBA Management Team Conference - Respecting and Working in a Sexually and Gender Diverse Workplace
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05.11.2016
CAI Ask the Expert: Managing a Sexually Diverse Workplace - Legal Compliance and Best Practices
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04.18.2016
Managing a Sexually Diverse Workplace: Legal Compliance and Best Practices for Transgender and Other LGB Issues
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01.13.2016
The expanding zone of employer liability: New Rules Governing “Joint Employment” and Liability Risks Created by People Who Interact With Your Workforce
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12.03.2015
The Expanding Zone of Employer Liability: Important Changes Impacting Joint Employment Relationships, Vendors & Sub-Contractors and New Protections for Human Resource Professionals and Other Managers
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11.04.2015
ABA Labor and Employment Law Conference
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09.24.2015
Avoiding and Managing Retaliation Claims Under State and Federal Laws