J. Kemper Patton
Overview
Kemper Patton is a labor and employment attorney with particular experience litigating disputes involving anti-discrimination laws, employment agreements, wage-and-hour issues, and unfair labor practices. Kemper also represents businesses and individuals in disputes concerning contracts, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and trade secrets.
In addition to his litigation experience, Kemper advises clients in a variety of industries, including hospitality, insurance, manufacturing, education, and skilled tradespersons, on all types of employment and labor matters. He prioritizes educating himself on every aspect of his clients’ workplaces to proactively identify and resolve their issues, with the ultimate goal of avoiding unnecessary litigation.
My Practices
Kemper represents employers in all phases of litigation, including in state courts, federal courts, and before administrative agencies. Kemper has litigated discrimination, retaliation, and harassment claims involving alleged violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the ADA, the ADEA, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and similar state laws. He also has represented employers in disputes involving wage-and-hour laws, non-compete agreements, non-solicitation agreements, confidentiality agreements, trade secrets violations, the FMLA, the NLRA, and more.
Kemper has experience counseling employers of all sizes on many employment and labor issues, including personnel actions, discrimination and harassment allegations, FMLA and ADA compliance, wage-and-hour concerns, union campaigns, and more. Kemper also assists employers with drafting and revising handbook policies, employment agreements, and other important workplace documents.
Kemper represents businesses, both large and small, in state and federal courts in matters involving trade secrets, contract disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and restrictive covenants.
Credentials
Education
University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D., 2021; Publication Editor, North Carolina Banking Institute Journal, Volume 25; Competing Member, Holderness Moot Court Corporate Team
Wingate University, B.S., 2018, Magna cum laude
Admissions
North Carolina
South Carolina
U.S. District Court for the Western, Middle, and Eastern Districts of North Carolina
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit
Newsroom
News
Speaking Engagements
Publications
Multimedia
Professional & Civic
Professional & Civic Activities
Member, American Bar Association
Member, North Carolina Bar Association
Member, Wake County Bar Association
About Me
I went to law school thinking I would combine several of my longtime interests into one career and become a sports agent. However, I quickly realized that's not the future I envisioned for myself. Instead, I found what I was looking for in a class on employment law that I took during my second year of law school. I was fascinated by the legal strategies and theories involved in litigating an employment case, as well as the fundamental significance of the employment relationship. I have since devoted myself to becoming an advisor for my clients in their employment matters and a well-rounded litigator for my clients facing employment and business disputes.
When I am not practicing law, I can be found spending quality time with friends, visiting the many vineyards in western North Carolina with my lovely wife, and trying my hand at new barbeque recipes.