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Felicia A. Washington

Partner
Charlotte
+1.704.331.7466
Fax +1..704.353.3166

Primary Practice

Secondary Practices

Education

  • J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1990, (Bracewell and Patterson Oral Advocacy Award, Lile Moot Court Board)
  • B.A., University of North Carolina, 1987, (Undergraduate Honor Court, Co-chair)

Admissions

  • Bar of North Carolina
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
  • United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
  • Biography Overview
  • Additional Background
  • Representative Work
Ms. Washington focuses her practice in the areas of employment law, litigation, dispute resolution, and business immigration. Felicia advises businesses on compliance with employment laws and regulations and represents businesses in state and federal courts, as well as administrative, regulatory, and arbitration proceedings with respect to the full spectrum of matters relating to the employment of workers. She regularly handles matters and disputes involving I-9 verification; wage and hour issues; allegations of discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination; layoffs; misconduct; whistle-blowing; and other human resources-related issues.

Felicia is experienced in conducting audits, handling agency investigations, training on employment and immigration laws, and drafting employment related policies and agreements, including employment agreements, confidentiality, noncompetition and nonsolicitation covenants, nondisclosure agreements, and separation agreements. Ms. Washington also provides due diligence support on employment law issues and documents that arise in business transactions. She is known for structuring practical and business-focused solutions to employment disputes.

Optimizing on the natural synergy between employment law and business immigration laws, Ms. Washington represents domestic and multinational businesses who require work authorization for foreign nationals to work in the States. The beneficiaries of the visa petitions are typically executives and managers or specialized knowledge and specialty occupation workers. Felicia also prepares green card petitions, including directing clients through the labor certification process. She is experienced in conducting I-9 audits and advising clients relating to compliance with immigration laws and regulations prohibiting unauthorized employment and discrimination against foreign nationals.

Ms. Washington serves as a member of the firm's Diversity Committee and serves as the chair of Charlotte Office Diversity Committee.

Achievements

  • Citizen Lawyer Award, N.C. Bar Association, June 2011
  • Top 50 Women NC Super Lawyers, Law and Politics, 2011
  • Best Lawyers in America, Immigration Law, Labor and Employment Law, 2007-2011
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers, Employment Law and Immigration, 2008-2011
  • “Diversity in Business Catalyst,” honored by Charlotte Business Journal, 2004  
  • Women in Business Achievement Award, awarded by Charlotte Business Journal, 1997
  • "Ten to Watch: Attorneys that have an Impact on North Carolina Business,” Triangle Business Journal, May 1998  
  • “40 under 40” award from Charlotte Business Journal for outstanding achievements in both business and community involvement, 1995

Professional/Civic Activities

  • Women Executives, Member, 2008-present
  • UNC-CH, Board of Trustees, 2009-present
  • Mecklenburg County Bar
    • Special Committee on Diversity:  Co-Chair; Advisory Committee to Mecklenburg County General Counsel and Managing Partner’s Call to Action; and past Co-Chair of its Law Firms/Law Departments Subcommittee, 2004-present
    • Board of Directors, 1994-1997, 2004-2007
    • Executive Committee, 1994-1997
  • North Carolina Bar Association
    • Personnel Committee, 2002-2007
    • Labor and Employment Law Section, Treasurer, 1999-2002
    • Legislative Chair, 1998
    • Nominating Committee, 2000-2002
    • Race Relations Commission, 1995-2000
    • Labor Law and Litigation Sections
    • American Bar Association
      • Member, House of Delegates, 2004-2007
      • Employment Law Section
    • American Immigration Lawyers Association and Carolinas Chapter
    • Charlotte Mayor's International Cabinet (Mayoral Appointment, 2002-2005, Executive Committee, 2004)  
    • Chief Justice William H. Bobbitt American Inn of Court (Pupil, 1996)
    • North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers (Member, 1990-present; John S. Leary, Sr. Bar Association, Secretary, 1992-1994)
    • Friendship Missionary Baptist Church (Personnel Committee, 2000-2004)
    • Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and Charlotte Chapter (Junior Teens Age Group Chair; past Executive Board)
    • Past Board Memberships include: Levine Museum of the New South; Arts & Science Council; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Urban League; Johnston YMCA; Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center; and NC Medical Board, Gubernatorial Appointee

Speaking Engagements

  • “Top Questions to Ask Your Tax and Legal Advisors,”  The Entrepreneurial Institute President’s Forum, December 2011
  • “Hot Topics in NC Employment Law,” N. C. Human Resources Conference, October 2011
  • “Understanding and Complying with the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act," August 2010
  • "Employment Law Basics," Charlotte School of Law Seminar, July 2010
  • “E-Verify Government Contractor Update,” The Employers Association Seminar, December 2008
  • “Employment Practices Refresher,” CPA Forum, December 2008
  • “Speedracer Communication Concerns: Internet, Email, Blogs, etc.,” NC SHRM State Conference, September 2008
  • “FMLA Update,” Firm Seminar, April 2008  
  • “Immigration Considerations for Employers,” Firm Seminar, April 2008  
  • “EEOC Charges: Limit Your Liability,” The Employers Association Seminar, February 2008  
  • “Strategies for Responding to EEOC Charges and Investigations,” The Employers Association, July 2007  
  • “FCPA, IP, and Immigration, Oh My: Legal Considerations for International Business Transactions,” Firm Seminar, January 2007  
  • “Avoiding Pitfalls in the Hiring Process,” Firm Seminar, 2007 and 1998  
  • “How Proposed Administrative and Legislative FMLA Changes Will Affect Your Organization” and “Working with the Medical Profession to Obtain Complete and Essential Medical Information Under the FMLA,” Council on Management Education, FMLA Update Seminar, January 2006  
  •  “Employing Foreign Physicians and Nurses,” October 2005  
  • “Employment Hot Topics,” National Association of African American Human Resources Professionals, May 2004  
  • “H-1B Changes That May Impact Business,” Charlotte Mayor's International Cabinet, December 2003  
  • “What Will the New H-1B Changes Mean to You?” Charlotte Mayor's International Cabinet, November 2003  
  • “Immigration for Non-Immigration Attorneys,” North Carolina Black Lawyers Association Annual Meeting, June 2003  
  • “Immigration Law 101: What Every Employer Must Know,” Council on Education in Management, 2000  
  • “The Practical Dilemma of Sexual Harassment Claims,” Firm Seminar, 1997  
  • “Overview of Employment Laws,” North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys Annual Meeting, 1996  
  • North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys Annual Meeting, Speaker, 1992 and 2001  
  • North Carolina/South Carolina Employment Law Conference, Speaker, 1996  

Employment law litigation and counseling

  • Defended energy company in whistleblower retaliation case, resulting in favorable adjudication.
  • Defended brokerage firm in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by an employee, resulting in settlement favorable to client.
  • Defended restaurant in Title VII religious discrimination lawsuit brought by the EEOC, resulting in settlement favorable to client.
  • Defended brokerage firm in arbitration brought by employee alleging wrongful termination, libel, slander, and improper U5 filing.
  • Defended manufacturer in a lawsuit brought by the Department of Labor alleging a violation of North Carolina's Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act, resulting in settlement favorable to client.
  • Defended manufacturer in lawsuit on share ownership theories.
  • Advised and directed numerous manufacturers against covenants not to compete.
  • Defended a television broadcasting company in Title VII claim brought by news personality and directed client through response to community outcry.

Immigration
  • Advises employers to determine appropriate temporary and/or permanent visa avenues for U.S. business visits and training, employment, and/or permanent residence of foreign nationals in the United States, including H-1Bs, L-1s, Es, PERM, and green card processing.
  • Assists clients with naturalization and citizenship matters.
  • Advises clients on compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to avoid violating record-keeping, anti-discrimination, unauthorized hiring, and I-9 employment verification provisions of those Acts.
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