Charles L. Appleby IV

Charles Appleby is an associate practicing in employment law and retail/hospitality/entertainment liability. In his employment practice, Charles represents employers from all types of industries in litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Charles has represented clients in Circuit Court, United States Federal Court, and has appeared regularly before the South Carolina Employment Securities Commission and Appeals. In addition, Charles provides informative content on retail/hospitality law and employment law through quarterly newsletters and on the South Carolina Retail/Hospitality Law Blog and South Carolina Employment Law Alerts.

In 2012, The State newspaper honored Charles as one of the top 20 rising business stars under the age of 40, and Greater Columbia Business Monthly recognized him as one of the Midlands Legal Elite.  Most recently, Charles was honored as a South Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star® 2013.

Charles, originally from Columbia, SC, graduated from the University of Florida and received his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.  While in law school, he served as the Student Bar Association President and initiated the inaugural University of South Carolina School of Law Career Week.  He was also a member of the John Belton O'Neall Inn of Court.  Charles worked as a law clerk for Collins & Lacy prior to joining the firm in 2007. 

Practice Focus

• Employment Law: representing employers from all types of industries in litigation and alternative dispute resolution.  Also working with employers on the preparation of documents to address ways to minimize employment risk and litigation, including, but not limited to, policy manuals, handbooks and contracts.
• Retail/Hospitality/Entertainment: representing national and regional companies in the retail, hospitality and entertainment sectors in claims involving premises liability, third party torts and Dram Shop / alcohol liability. Also consulting with event and festival organizers on matters involving permits, contract drafting and negotiation and liability.

Awards

• South Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star® 2013
• Midlands Legal Elite (2012)
• The State 20 Under 40 

Professional, Civic and Community Involvement

• Society of Human Resource Management
• Defense Research Institute
• Employment Law Committee 
• South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association
• South Carolina Bar
• South Carolina Lawyer Magazine
  • Editorial Board (2010-Present)
• Famously Hot New Year Celebration, Co-Chair (2012, 2013)
• Medical University of South Carolina Board of Visitors (2009-2010)
• USC Alumni Association Board of Governors, Member (2008-2010; 2011-2013)
• USC Council of Alumni Societies
  • Chair (2011-2013)
  • Vice Chair (2009-2011)
  • School of Law Alumni Representative since 2008
• Columbia Chamber of Commerce
• Leadership Columbia Class of 2011 
• The Contemporaries of the Columbia Museum of Art
  • Vice President (2012-2014)
  • Board Member (2011-Present)
  • Black and White Ball Chair (2010)
• Susan V. "Gina" Johnson Award
• Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity
• University of Florida Alumni Association
• International Society of Primerus Law Firms

Papers, Presentations and Publications

• "New I-9 Form - Mandatory for Employers," South Carolina Employment Law Alerts, April 2013 
• "It Must Be Something I Ate–Causation in Food Liability Cases," South Carolina Lawyer, March 2013, at 16-19
• "Do I Really Have to Pay for That? Department of Labor Continues to Crack Down on Hospitality Industry," Retail/Hospitality Law Blog, March 2013
• "Free Evidence on Protecting Guests - Want it to Work For You or Against You?" Retail/Hospitality Law Blog, January 2013
• "Making Your Employment Policies NLRB-Compliant for Social Media & Contacting the Media or Government Agencies," South Carolina Employment Law Alerts, November 2012 
• "When Hard Hits of Football Season End Up Between Fans at Your Business," Retail/Hospitality Law Blog, October 2012
• "Social Media: Revise Your Policy If It Says This," South Carolina Employment Law Alerts, September 2012
• "States Institute New Limits on Employers and Social Media—Will South Carolina Be Next?," South Carolina Bar Employment & Labor Law Newsletter, May 2012
• "U.S. E.E.O.C. v. CTI Global Solutions: Direct Evidence that Summary Judgment is Still Alive," South Carolina Bar Employment & Labor Law Newsletter, January 2012
• "Facebook, Twitter & the NLRB: Can an Employer Really Do That? (You'd Be Surprised)," South Carolina Lawyer, Fall 2011
• "Facebook, Twitter & the NLRB: Your Employees' New Entourage," Primerus Paradigm, Fall 2011
• "The Construction of an LLR Immigration Audit," South Carolina HBA's South Carolina Builder Journal, 2010, Co-Author
• "Building a Framework for Fixing Construction Issues," South Carolina HBA's South Carolina Builder, December 2010, Co-Author
• "Proposed Rulemaking for the ADA Amendments Act of 2008," South Carolina Bar Employment & Labor Law Newsletter, Winter 2009
• "What to Consider When Firing an Employee," South Carolina Association of Convenience Stores Newsletter, Third Quarter 2009
• "Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009," South Carolina Bar Employment & Labor Law Newsletter, Summer 2009
• International Society of Primerus Law Firms Employment Law Update Webinar: Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, November 19, 2009 
• "Employees Are Protected Even If They Don't Initiate Complaints," South Carolina Association of Convenience Stores Newsletter, Second Quarter, 2009
• "ADA Amendments Act of 2008:  Congress vs. U.S. Supreme Court," DRI In-House Defense Quarterly, April 2009
• "New ADA Amendments Increase Chance of Lawsuits," South Carolina Association of Convenience Stores Newsletter, First Quarter 2009
• "The Future of Electronic Monitoring in the Workplace:  Innovative Assistance or Potential Infringement of Rights?, " South Carolina Bar Employment & Labor Law Newsletter, Summer 2008
• "The Past and Future of Electronic Monitoring:  Common Methods Utilized in the Workplace," South Carolina Bar Employment & Labor Law Newsletter, Fall 2008
• "Follow Up With Employees Is Crucial In Avoiding ADA Claims," South Carolina Association of Convenience Stores Newsletter, Fourth Quarter 2008
• Law School of Non-Lawyers: Employment Law, Midlands Technical College, October 9, 2008, Columbia, SC.
• "New Immigration Act for S.C. Employers: What Are The Requirements and Is The Act Constitutional?" South Carolina Lawyer, November 2008

Speaking Engagements

• Collins & Lacy Attorneys to Present CLE to Association of Corporate Counsel, June 7, 2012
• Attorneys Brian Comer and Charles Appleby to Present at South Carolina Association of Convenience Stores "Merchandising 201" Workshop, March 21, 2012
• Collins & Lacy Attorneys to Speak at 47th Annual South Carolina Home Builders Association, July 14, 2011
• Collins & Lacy Attorney Charles Appleby to Present on The Interactive Process Under the ADA, February 23, 2011
• Save the Date! Is Your Company Passing the Test?, February 2011, Workplace Drug Testing
• Free Seminar Series: How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Litigation: Tips to Keep Your Company out of Court, July 29, 2010