Legal Compliance Issues in the Post-COVID Work World

Janelle Lyons is both pragmatic and a people person.  She enjoys solving complex problems for employers, municipalities, private entities, and homeowners associations, as well as those going through divorce and custody issues.  Janelle’s patience, even temperament and common sense approach help her clients come up with creative case-specific solutions to overcome the complex problems and conflicts.

Janelle is one of few practicing attorneys in the Charlotte, North Carolina area who maintains a diverse practice in the area of civil litigation in Superior Court and the Federal Court, and also practices in the area of family law. Therefore, she brings a unique prospective to her role as a certified Superior Court mediator. She facilitates settlements and assists parties in resolving conflicts amicably without incurring the significant time and expense that may often be associated with protracted litigation.

She works to understand her client’s goals, honestly assess their situations, and then use practical solutions to best serve their interests. Janelle’s litigation experience coupled with her client-focused practice enables her to skillfully guide her clients through trial in federal and state court, as well as various administrative agencies, when necessary.

Janelle also provides advice and counseling on all aspects of the of the hiring, employment, and separation process, including development and implementation of employment practices and procedures, and investigations for employers who have received complaints of harassment and discrimination.

Virginia M. Wooten advocates for clients in courtrooms throughout North Carolina, where she focuses her practice in employment, municipal, and professional liability. She is passionate about helping clients resolve matters constructively and advising clients on minimizing risk before litigation arises.

Virginia defends lawsuits involving claims of wrongful termination, negligence, breach of contract, and alleged violations of Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA, and REDA in federal and state courts. She also counsels businesses and public entities regarding internal and administrative investigations (including EEOC and DOL investigations), contract disputes, employee relations, policies, and pre-suit matters.  She has also defended numerous public officials, public entities, and police officers in various matters involving state law claims and constitutional violations. In addition, Virginia has handled appeals to the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of North Carolina, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Virginia has also been recognized twice as a North Carolina Rising Star by Super Lawyers, a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.  No more than 2.5% of lawyers in the state are eligible to receive this recognition.

She serves on the Cranfill Sumner COVID-19 Response Team.