LAWYER PROFILE
D. Michael Henthorne

D. Michael Henthorne

USA 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC

Practice Areas

Employment Law, Litigation, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Trial, Workplace Investigations and Organizational Assessments, Multistate Advice and Counseling

Career

D. Michael Henthorne focuses his practice on representing management in employment litigation. A specialist in employment and labor law as certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court, Michael has litigated matters involving: Title VII, The Americans with Disabilities Act, The Family and Medical Leave Act, The Fair Labor Standards Act, The Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Wage and hour disputes, Employment contracts, Employment torts, Covenants not to compete, trade secrets and unfair competition matters.

Michael has significant trial experience and has successfully appeared before both the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court. He also appears regularly in federal and state courts in South Carolina and before various regulatory and administrative tribunals, such as: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, The Department of Labor, The National Labor Relations Board, The South Carolina Human Affairs Commission, The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, and

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce.

Michael routinely works with in-house corporate counsel and insurers to resolve employment litigation and appellate matters. He was previously admitted pro hac vice in Clark County Nevada where he settled an employment dispute on behalf of a national sporting goods distributor, and in the Western District of Tennessee where he resolved a whistleblower action for a leading aluminum rolled products company. In addition to his work in the employment law arena, he served as lead trial counsel in an intellectual property dispute involving a Fortune 50 retailer; in the defense of a $500,000 predatory lending claim that resulted in a jury verdict for a national mortgage lender; and in the settlement of a seven-figure negligence claim for a South Carolina healthcare provider prior to trial.

Certified as both a civil mediator and an arbitrator by the South Carolina Supreme Court, Michael also has previously held the Professional in Human Resources designation from the Human Resources Certification Institute in conjunction with the Society for Human Resources Management. He has been a featured speaker at seminars and corporate training events and makes presentations for numerous professional organizations. He has also taught employment and labor law as an adjunct faculty member at Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina.

Michael works with employers that span the following industries: Business, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Retail, Government, and Charitable Organizations.

Professional Memberships

South Carolina Bar Association

Defense Research Institute

American Bar Association (Labor and Employment and Litigation sections)

Society for Human Resource Management

Midlands Society for Human Resource Management

Committee of 100, Central SC Alliance

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

Labor & Employment - South Carolina

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial
Michael Henthorne has considerable experience in defending employers in litigation, including wrongful termination cases.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • In the trial we had Michael was extraordinarily prepared and meticulous, appropriately aggressive and was able to secure us a favorable verdict.

    Labor & EmploymentChambers Guide to the USA
  • Michael is wonderful to work with. He is extremely knowledgeable and brings that knowledge to the table in discussions.

    Labor & EmploymentChambers Guide to the USA
  • Michael Henthorne consistently demonstrates excellence in formal filings, everyday communications and advice. He is always budget conscious and communicates well with the client regarding strategy and status.

    Labor & EmploymentChambers Guide to the USA

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