Bill has over 40 years of experience counseling employers through difficult employment decisions while complying with the plethora of employment related laws. He has extensive experience in employment contracting issues, including non-competition and non-solicitation drafting and litigation, and employment practices audits. Bill also has planning and litigation experience in FLSA executive compliance issues.

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Having previously served as general counsel of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bill has a comprehensive understanding of the agency’s methods, practices, procedures and personnel. He has extensive experience in compliance planning and litigation, especially CWA issues and emerging coastal management practices.

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Bill is a graduate of the state mediator program and has extensive experience in using non-traditional techniques to solve complex problems, including conducting hundreds of private mediations.

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Bill is experienced in a wide variety of litigation and arbitration areas, including construction, environmental, real property, and contract disputes.

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Recognized as a "Labor and Employment Star" by Benchmark Litigation (2021)

Pelican Award for Leadership and Commitment to Advancing Effective Coastal Policy, North Carolina Coastal Federation, August 2019

Recognized by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business for Labor & Employment Law (2004-2011, 2017-2018)

Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in Labor and Employment Litigation, Employment Law - Management, and Labor Law - Management (Greensboro Lawyer of the Year 2015, 2019) (1995-2021)

Recognized by his peers for inclusion in Business North Carolina’s "Legal Elite" in Employment Law (2003, 2006, 2009, 2012-2014)

Recognized in North Carolina Super Lawyers in Employment & Labor Law (2006-2012, 2014-2020)

Member, North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society (2019)

Recognized in Super Lawyers Business Edition in Employment & Labor Law (2015)

Environmental Leadership Award, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, December 2012

 

Chair (2007-2009); Vice Chair (2003-2007); Board Member (1999-2003), NC School of Science and Mathematics

Board Member, Piedmont Triad, National Conference for Community & Justice (NCCJ) (2002-2006)

Board Member, Labor & Employment Section, North Carolina Bar Association

Member, Environmental, Employment, and Litigation Sections, American Bar Association and North Carolina Bar Association

Council Member, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Law Section, North Carolina Bar Association (2013-present)

Master of Ceremonies, North Carolina Coastal Resilience Summit, Havelock, North Carolina, June 2019

Co-author (with Sarah Saint), "Supreme Court Approves Arbitration Agreement Class Action Bar,"  GGI Labour and Employment Law Newsletter, Fall 2018

Co-author (with Bryan Starrett and Beth Langley), “If You Have Employees Who Live or Work in Massachusetts, You Need to Relearn Non-Competes Right Now,” GGI Insider, September 2018

Presenter, "Professionalism: A More Effective Way to Prevent Harassment and Promote a Positive Workplace Culture," WithIt Professional Conference, Charleston, SC, June 2018

Co-presenter (with Jessi Thaller-Moran), "Workplace Sexual Harassment: Still Alive & Kicking," UNC School of Law Festival of Legal Learning, February 2018

Author, Living Shorelines: From Barriers to Opportunities, DRAFT REPORT, 2014, Restore America’s Estuaries

Presenter, "The Latest Court Decisions and Regulatory Developments Involving Discrimination, Wrongful Discharge, Retaliation, and Related Subjects," November 2008

Author, The Kolstad Umbrella Can Keep Employers Dry, 2006 Law Journal, Business North Carolina

After 35 years as a private practice lawyer, in which I litigated in a wide variety of courts and agencies as well as counseled a broad spectrum of clients, from manufacturers (domestic and foreign) to banks to restaurants, I took almost a year “off” to work as a state government employee (General Counsel of the N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources) in what turned out to be an eye opening and enriching experience. The job was fascinating—covering all aspects of a typical general counsel position of an entity with nearly 4,000 employees and more than 15 departments (contracting, employment, litigation), plus the wonderful world of state and federal financing and politics. But more interesting was seeing the agency up close. I was truly impressed with the overall dedication, knowledge and cooperative spirit of the career employees. It was a privilege to try to help them, and I see the public sector in an entirely new light. Try it sometime.

Problem solving is the lawyer’s core function. To do that, we must understand the client’s needs and goals first and always work with those in mind. Too many lawyers lose themselves in the legal question. Applying creativity to problem solving is what distinguishes a truly effective professional.

Recent Publications & Media

Speaking Engagements

Recognitions

Brooks Pierce has been named a “Highly Recommended” law firm for general litigation and “...(read more)
The 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 73 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Brooks Pierce attorneys Beth Langley, Bill Cary, Will Quick, Shana Fulton and Shepard O’Connell...(read more)
Thirty-four Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2020 edition of North Carolina...(read more)
The 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 55 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Forty-four Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2019 edition of North Carolina Super...(read more)
The 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 55 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Seven Brooks Pierce practice areas and 21 of the firm’s attorneys are ranked among the best in...(read more)
Thirty-eight Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2018 edition of North Carolina...(read more)
The 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 54 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Thirty-eight Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2017 edition of North Carolina...(read more)
The 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 50 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Thirty-six Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2016 edition of North Carolina Super...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is pleased to announce that 26 of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2015...(read more)
The 2016 edition of The Best Lawyers in America © recognized 48 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Thirty-six Brooks Pierce attorneys have been recognized in the 2015 edition of North Carolina Super...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is pleased to announce that 27 of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2014...(read more)
Brooks Pierce recently recognized the firm’s attorneys who made significant contributions to pro...(read more)
The 2015 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© recognized 46 Brooks Pierce attorneys as industry...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is pleased to announce that 39 lawyers, representing 46% of the firm’s attorneys,...(read more)
Business North Carolina magazine publishes annually the “Legal Elite,” lawyers throughout the state...(read more)
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP is pleased to announce that 46 lawyers were...(read more)
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP is pleased to announce that 45 lawyers,...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is ranked among the best law firms in North Carolina in the 2012 edition of Chambers...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is pleased to announce that 38 lawyers, representing 43% of the firm’s attorneys,...(read more)
Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP is pleased to announce that 34 lawyers,...(read more)
The Best Lawyers in America Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP is pleased to...(read more)
Brooks Pierce is ranked among the best law firms in North Carolina in the 2009 edition of Chambers...(read more)
Nine Brooks Pierce attorneys were selected by their peers to North Carolina's Legal Elite 2009 ,...(read more)
Eighteen Brooks Pierce Attorneys Named as North Carolina Super Lawyers Brooks, Pierce, McLendon,...(read more)

Recent Publications & Media

COVID-19 vaccine

CDC Issues New Guidance for Vaccinated Individuals

Insight
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March 9, 2021
On March 8, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance for people who have been vaccinated for COVID-19. (A person becomes “vaccinated” two weeks after receiving the second shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech or...(read more)
Group of employees, employment concept

New DOL Independent Contractor Rules

Insight
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January 13, 2021
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced new rules, effective March 8, 2021, clarifying how to determine if an individual is an employee–entitled to minimum wage, overtime, and other statutory protections—or an independent contractor. Prior...(read more)

The CDC (and Others) Change Guidance

Insight
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July 22, 2020
The one constant in the COVID-19 pandemic is that the guidance keeps changing. We have highlighted it before and we’ll do it again: Part of every employer’s COVID-19 preparedness and response plan needs to include the designation of someone in the...(read more)

COVID-19 Checklist for North Carolina Employers

Insight
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May 5, 2020
Brooks Pierce has been honored to have so many North Carolina employers rely on us for up-to-date guidance on personnel matters stemming from the COVID-19 crisis. We will continue to produce, update, and post alerts for employers on our COVID-19...(read more)

EEOC Updates COVID-19 Guidance

Insight
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April 13, 2020
On April 9, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) posted additional, updated guidance for employers regarding COVID-19, the ADA, and other EEO laws, and consolidated all its COVID-19 related advice here . It reiterates why each of the...(read more)
Close up of hundred dollar bills

Employer Tax Relief Under COVID-19 Legislation

Insight
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March 18, 2020
Update: President Trump signed these Acts into law on March 18. They are expected to take effect no later than April 2. Much has been made of the cost to employers of the leave required by the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family...(read more)

2013 North Carolina Environmental Legislation Summary

Insight
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August 1, 2013
The 2013 session of the North Carolina General Assembly came to a close on July 26, 2013, and a number of legislative actions this year impacted environmental regulation in North Carolina. Governor McCrory has now signed into law all of the Bills...(read more)
Photograph of wind turbines

DENR to Issue Siting Permits for Wind Energy Facilities

Insight
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May 20, 2013
In April, I posted a discussion of the background of proposed legislation (HB 484 and SB 491) concerning the siting of wind energy facilities in North Carolina. In particular, the legislature was responding to concerns about the impact of such...(read more)
Photograph of mountain valley with blue sky and clouds

Siting Wind Energy Facilities in North Carolina

Insight
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April 1, 2013
The North Carolina legislature is now considering proposed legislation (SB 491/HB 484) under which the siting of "Wind Energy Facilities,” otherwise known as wind turbine farms and the supporting infrastructure, would be subject to a permitting...(read more)

Bill Cary to Join DENR as General Counsel

Firm News
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April 9, 2012
Effective April 30, 2012, our partner Bill Cary will depart Brooks Pierce in order to accept an appointment by the Governor as General Counsel of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources ( DENR ). We anticipate that Bill...(read more)