Attorneys in Charlotte, North Carolina

Patrick E. Kelly
Main image for Patrick E. Kelly

Patrick E. Kelly

Partner

Chair, Employment Practices and Benefits Group

1065 East Morehead Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28204
704.332.1181
F704.376.1628
O704.998.2245
F704-376-1628

Assistant

Cynthia White

704.496.6633
cwhite@jahlaw.com

Outside of
Work

Outside of Work

Pat enjoys the outdoors and all kinds of physical activities: tennis, golf, running, walking, hiking, and biking. His mother-in-law, who is the oldest women ever to complete a marathon, inspired him not only to run a marathon himself, but to stay young in body and spirit by not sitting still for too long.

When Pat is not working or playing outside, he’s content to sit on his screened porch with a cold beverage, reading. He is a fan of non-fiction and biographies in particular. Recent reads include Boys in the Boat, Clouds of Glory, Do No Harm, Hero of the Empire, and Grant.

Clients know that when they call me they will get practical, no-nonsense advice to resolve the issue at hand. I will be completely candid with them about their case and I will never recommend a course of action that I don’t believe is in the client’s best interests.

Practices

Industries

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • North Carolina
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Western, Middle, and Eastern Districts of North Carolina

Education

  • University of North Carolina School of Law (JD, 1989)
  • United States Military Academy (BS, 1981)

Associations

Professional

Community


Outside of
Work

My Life Outside of Work

Pat enjoys the outdoors and all kinds of physical activities: tennis, golf, running, walking, hiking, and biking. His mother-in-law, who is the oldest women ever to complete a marathon, inspired him not only to run a marathon himself, but to stay young in body and spirit by not sitting still for too long.

When Pat is not working or playing outside, he’s content to sit on his screened porch with a cold beverage, reading. He is a fan of non-fiction and biographies in particular. Recent reads include Boys in the Boat, Clouds of Glory, Do No Harm, Hero of the Empire, and Grant.

Clients know that when they call me they will get practical, no-nonsense advice to resolve the issue at hand. I will be completely candid with them about their case and I will never recommend a course of action that I don’t believe is in the client’s best interests.

Pat Kelly is a seasoned employment lawyer who is the HR “go-to” for companies large and small. He is a trusted advisor and counselor on virtually any employment issue. He is also an experienced litigator who will aggressively defend clients before state and federal courts and agencies if that becomes necessary. He appreciates that it is normally in a client’s best interest to avoid litigation and to engage in appropriate risk management measures by encouraging employers to treat employees consistently and fairly, implement sensible policies and procedures, and create a work environment in which employees know what is expected of them and feel free to raise concerns without fear of retribution.

Employers rely on Pat to help them navigate difficult employee disciplinary and termination actions, draft and enforce Employee Handbooks, employment contracts, and covenants not to compete, train and educate managers, respond to agency audits and investigations, and defend claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, etc.

Clients know that Pat stays on top of the ever-changing employment law landscape in such areas as workplace harassment, gender identity and sexual orientation, social media, the interplay between FMLA and Americans with Disabilities Act claims, and other legal and regulatory changes affects employers, whether they have 15 employees or 25,000 or employees.

Pat’s forte is representing closely held businesses in such areas as manufacturing, construction and health care. He also advises and assists business executives, physicians, and other professionals with employment contracts, non-compete agreements, and severance agreements.

Representative Experience

  • Conducted company investigations and Civil prosecution of executive accused of embezzlement which resulted in significant recovery of stolen funds.
  • Drafted employee policies and handbook for client with employees in 24 states.
  • Advised client in connection with plan to eliminate positions, shut down business operations, and prepare separation agreements.
  • Trained employees and management teams on avoiding discrimination claims.
  • Obtained favorable jury verdict in federal court race discrimination lawsuit.
  • Successfully defended corporate clients accused of wrongful termination.
  • Investigated harassment and discrimination claim and prepared effective EEOC position statement resulting in dismissal of claim.
  • Negotiated a favorable settlement of a class action disability discrimination claim brought by the EEOC.
  • Successfully defended hospital in highly publicized peer review case in State and Federal Court.

Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, "Recent Developments and Trends in U.S. Employment Law"
  • Speaker, "Maneuvering Through the Maze of Employment Practices"
  • Speaker, "Sexual Harassment"

News / Events

Honors / Awards