Elizabeth V. LaFollette, Esq., joined the firm, of counsel, in February, 2010.  Liz relocated from North Carolina to Florida with family, and focuses her practice on labor and employment law, business litigation, and civil litigation.  Before relocating, Liz was a partner with a large firm in North Carolina, practicing with them for more than twelve years.  Liz also has the distinction of being AV peer rated by Martindale Hubbell Law Directory. 

Liz has represented management in employment and labor law matters in both state and federal courts and before administrative agencies such as the EEOC and Department of Labor.  Liz counsels employers and offers strategic solutions in order to prevent litigation.  Liz helps employers navigate through the Family Medical Leave Act and Americans with Disabilities Act, and she advises employers regarding discrimination and harassment complaints, wage and hour issues, military leave obligations, drug testing, retaliation complaints, terminations, and reductions in force.  Liz also works with employers to implement policies that are lawful, practical, and effective.

Liz also has substantial litigation and appellate experience.  She has represented clients in state and federal courts. Her jury trial experience includes the defense of race discrimination claims and her appellate experience includes the defense of constitutional violations. 

Liz has conducted employment law training for employers and been a speaker at numerous employment law seminars for various professional and trade association groups.

Liz was recognized by her peers as a North Carolina “Rising Star” in Employment & Labor Law (2009), Law & Politics magazine.
 

Ms. LaFollette can be reached at: 

Areas of Practice

Bar Admissions

• Florida
• North Carolina
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Northern District, Florida
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District, North Carolina
• U.S. District Court, Middle District, North Carolina
• U.S. District Court, Western District, North Carolina

Education

• University of North Carolina (J.D., with high honors, 1997)
      Order of the Coif
      Dameron Scholarship
      Articles Editor, North Carolina Law Review, 1996-97
• University of Arizona (B.A. magna cum laude, 1994)

Professional & Community Involvement

• Kiwanis Club of Destin  (President, 2011-present; Secretary, 2011; Member, 2009-present)
• Board of Directors, Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art, 2006-2008
• Secretary, 2003-05, and Member, 2002-03, 2006-2008, Board of Trustees, The
  Greensboro Montessori School
• Volunteer, Women’s Resource Center, 1999-2008
• Member, Florida Bar Association and Okaloosa/Walton Bar Association
• Member, Labor & Employment Law Section, Florida Bar Association
   

Representative Cases

• Adkins v. Stanly County Bd. of Educ., 692 S.E. 2d 470 (N.C. Ct. App. 2010)
• NC Dep’t of Revenue v. Bill Davis Racing, 201 N.C. App. 35, 684 S.E.2d 914 (2009)
• Panos v. Timco Engine Center, Inc., 197 N.C. App. 510, 677 S.E.2d 868 (2009)
• In re Denial of NC IDEA’s Refund of Sales & Use Tax, 196 N.C. App. 426, 675 S.E.2d 88
  (2009)
• Sugar Creek Charter School, Inc. v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Bd. of Educ., 195 N.C. App. 348,
  673 S.E.2d 667 (2009)
• Okocha v. Adams, 2009 WL 313344 (M.D.N.C. 2009) and 259 Fed. Appx. 527 (4th Cir. 2007)
• Shavitz v. City of High Point, 177 N.C. App. 465, 630 S.E.2d 4 (2006) and 100 Fed. Appx. 146
  (4th Cir. 2004) and 270 F. Supp. 2d 702 (M.D.N.C. 2003)
• Dalton v. Avis Rent A Car System, Inc., 131 Fed. Appx. 936 (4th Cir. 2005)
• Thomas v. Freeway Foods, Inc., 406 F. Supp. 2d 610 (M.D.N.C. 2005)
• Nakell v. Liner Yankelevitz Sunshine & Regenstreif, LLP, 394 F. Supp. 2d 762 (M.D.N.C. 2005)
• Gaster v. Stanly County Bd. of Educ., 165 N.C. App. 705, 601 S.E.2d 331 (2004)
• Kaplan Companies, Inc. v. Stiles Machinery, Inc., 157 N.C. App. 572, 579 S.E.2d 521 (2003)
• Shore v. Martin, 12 Fed. Appx. 178 (4th Cir. 2001)
• Fields v. Dery, 131 N.C. App. 525, 509 S.E.2d 790 (1998)

Articles & Publications

• Co-Author, North Carolina Property Tax, ABA Property Tax Desk Book, 4th-7th Editions, 1999-2002
• Co-Author, North Carolina Sales and Use Tax, ABA Sales and Use Tax Desk Book, 2002-2003 Edition
• United States v. Hyppolite: The Police Cannot Search Your House Because of the Way You
• Assert Your Constitutional Rights or Can They? 75 N.C. L. Rev. 607 (1997)
• State v. Hunt and Exculpatory DNA Evidence: When is a New Trial Warranted?, 74 N.C. L. Rev. 1295 (1996)