Charles E. Johnson

• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of Facebook Inc. in action in federal court by employee alleging race discrimination in promotion and compensation and a hostile work environment. Gary v. Facebook Inc., No. 1:17-cv-123 (W.D.N.C. July 25, 2018).

• Represented restaurant chain Bojangles' Restaurants Inc. in wage and hour collective actions in the U.S. District Courts for the Western and Middle District of North Carolina and the Eastern District of Tennessee and prevailed on motions to dismiss and to transfer.

• Prevailed in a jury trial in North Carolina Business Court on behalf of national mortgage company on claims against former employees for breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and conspiracy.

• Represented a financial institution employer in an action by a former executive seeking payment of a bonus and liquidated damages and challenging employer’s stock deferral plan. The Court of Appeals rejected the executive’s claims and awarded summary judgment to the employer. Murphy v. First Union Capital Markets Corp., 152 N.C. App. 205, 567 S.E.2d 189 (2002).

• Represented a hospital in a federal court action by a physician alleging retaliation in violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, breach of contract and tort claims. The trial court granted summary judgment to the hospital on all claims, and the Court of Appeals affirmed. Shenoy v. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority (W.D.N.C. May 10, 2012).

• Represented a hospital in a federal court action by a physician alleging that her hospital staff privileges were terminated because of her race and that she was subjected to hostile and discriminatory treatment. The court entered summary judgment in favor of the hospital and ordered the physician to pay the hospital's attorneys' fees.

• Prevailed in a jury trial and on appeal representing employer in $12 million suit by former employee alleging wrongful termination of employment in violation of the public policy of North Carolina and constructive fraud after employee reported fraud by a supplier of employer. The appellate courts affirmed the verdict and judgment for the employer on all claims. Ridenhour v. International Business Machines Corp., 132 N.C. App. 563, 512 S.E.2d 774, disc. rev. denied, 350 N.C. 595, 537 S.E.2d 481 (1999).

• Represented individual hotel developers whose former employer sued them for alleged violations of nonsolicitation provisions in their employment agreements. Obtained summary judgment for hotel developers on all claims, and the North Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed. Inland American Winston Hotels v. Crockett, 212 N.C. App. LEXIS 1044, 712 S.E.2d 366 (2011).

• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of employers in cases alleging race discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII and 42 U.S.C. § 1981. Jimoh v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership Inc., 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 46911 (May 12, 2010), aff'd, 428 Fed. Appx. 241 (4th Circ. 2011); Mosley v. Bojangles' Restaurants Inc., 2004 WL 727033 (M.D.N.C. March 30, 2004).

• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of employers in cases alleging sex discrimination and sexual harassment in violation of Title VII and state laws. Cramer v. Bojangles' Restaurants Inc., 498 Fed. Appx. 885 (11th Cir. 2012); Lambert v. Mecklenburg County, 2006 WL 2620307 (W.D.N.C. Sept. 12, 2006).

• Obtained summary judgment for municipal employer in action alleging retaliatory discharge in violation of free speech provisions of North Carolina Constitution. Cole v. City of Charlotte, 2012 N.C. App. LEXIS 479, S.E.2d 584 (April 3, 2012) (affirming summary judgment).

• Obtained summary judgment for employer in an action alleging retaliatory discharge under Maryland law, which was affirmed by the Court of Appeals. Seidner v. PCA International Inc., 41 Fed Appx. 699, 2002 WL 1733803 (4th Cir. July 29, 2002).

• Obtained summary judgment for employer in an action alleging violations of collective bargaining agreements under the federal Labor-Management Relations Act. Tucker v. American Telephone & Telegraph Co., 129 F.3d 1260 (table), 1997 WL 712902 (4th Cir. Nov. 17, 1997).

• Represented financial services company in successful jury trial and on appeal on claims and counterclaims in a federal action alleging breach of an agreement to remarket an oil tanker. First Union Commercial Corp. v. GATX Capital Corp., 411 F.3d 551 (4th Cir. 2005).

Honors & Recognitions

Professional Affiliations

Community Affiliations

News

Events

Publications