Meredith FitzGibbon Hamilton

Meredith Hamilton focuses her legal practice on employment law and defense of public and private employers as well as civil liability defense of retailers, restaurants, and business owners in premises liability matters and business disputes. Meredith advocates for her clients to protect their interests and brands while working with them to achieve their goals. Meredith has an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell, a prestigious Peer Review Rating system that recognizes attorneys for their legal ability and high ethical standards. She serves on the Cranfill Sumner COVID-19 Response Team.

Meredith assists private and public entity employers with claims of harassment and discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the North Carolina Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act (REDA). She represents private and public entity employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Department of Labor (DOL). Meredith handles wage and hour claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). She also counsels private and public entity employers regarding internal and administrative investigations, employee relations, policies, and pre-suit matters.

Meredith defends municipalities and public entities throughout North Carolina in employment law matters and against claims of constitutional and civil rights violations. She has defended numerous public officials, including police officers, in various matters involving state law claims and state and federal constitutional violations.

Meredith has litigated matters in both state and federal courts, including the North Carolina Business Court. Meredith has trial experience in North Carolina Superior, District Court, and Small Claims Court, and has handled appeals before the North Carolina Court of Appeals. In addition, she has successfully represented clients in alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration.

Meredith earned her law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. She graduated from Clemson University with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in History.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Cases or matters referenced do not represent the lawyer’s entire record. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits. The outcome of a particular case cannot be predicated upon a lawyer’s or a law firm’s past results.

• Obtained a dismissal in favor of a North Carolina municipality in a lawsuit alleging violations of the United States and North Carolina constitutions that was then upheld on appeal to the North Carolina Court of Appeals
• Obtained a partial dismissal in favor of a university with claims alleging violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 brought by a student
• Obtained summary judgment in favor of a retailer in a lawsuit alleging a slip and fall on the retailers premises
• Defended private and public entity employers in charges of employment discrimination in violation of federal and state anti-discrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, submitted to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

ARTICLES, PRESENTATIONS, AND PUBLICATIONS

• Co-Author, “Peeling Back the Label: Current Trends in False Labeling Claims,” In-House Defense Quarterly, Spring 2018
• Author and Presenter of “What to Expect: Overview of Discrimination Claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog 2018 Seminar: General Liability & Workers’ Compensation Law Update, November 1, 2018