Walker Coleman is the Administrative Partner of the Charleston office and serves on the firm’s Management Committee. He is an experienced litigator who concentrates his practice in the area of complex, high-stakes litigation, with an emphasis on employment, intellectual property, and commercial litigation.
Mr. Coleman has successfully handled cases for numerous regional, national, and international companies in industries including: athletic equipment, automotive, aviation, banking, beverage, broadcast media, chemical, computer software, construction, entertainment, environmental, government contracts, health care, insurance, intellectual property, manufacturing, maritime, medical product, news media, paper and packaging, plumbing fixtures, pharmaceutical, retail, resort and hospitality, restaurant, shipping, snack food, steel, telecommunications, and textiles. More specifically, Mr. Coleman defends employers in litigation, including class action and multi-district litigation, relating to employment discrimination, all forms of harassment, wage and hour, wrongful termination, trade secret misappropriation, and restrictive covenants. He also routinely counsels employers on leave issues, positive and legally viable employment practices, reductions in force and plant closings, the sale and acquisition of domestic and foreign businesses, executive terminations and severance packages, and union avoidance. Mr. Coleman has written and spoken extensively on employment law issues and topics. Mr. Coleman also defends and prosecutes intellectual property claims, and defends companies in business disputes involving RICO claims and claims, among others, for breach of contract, unfair trade practices, fraud, civil conspiracy, defamation, and breach of fiduciary duties. Mr. Coleman has been recognized by his peers and corporate counsel as a leader in the labor and employment practice area through his inclusion in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, and South Carolina Super Lawyers for many years.
Prior to going to law school, Mr. Coleman served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy, ultimately attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Prior to joining K&L Gates, Mr. Coleman was a partner at two other large regional law firms.