Band 3
Provided by J Walker Coleman IV
Walker Coleman is a partner in the firm's Labor, Employment, and Workplace Safety practice. He served as the Managing Partner of the Charleston office from 2011-2024, and he also has served on the firm’s Management Committee and global Advisory Council. He is an experienced litigator, who primarily litigates complex employment, labor, restrictive covenant, and trade secret misappropriation disputes throughout the United States and abroad. He has significant class and collective action experience. He also represents companies in government investigations, and represents domestic and international companies in connection with economic development projects in South Carolina and throughout the United States.
Walker is adept at identifying unique legal solutions for his client’s disputes while also paying careful attention to their business needs and objectives. He has successfully handled cases for numerous local, national, and international companies in industries including: athletic equipment, automotive, aerospace, beverage, broadcast media, chemical, computer software, construction, defense, energy, entertainment, environmental, financial services, government contracts, healthcare, healthcare diagnostics, intellectual property, manufacturing, maritime, medical laboratory testing, medical device, paper and packaging, plumbing fixtures, pharmaceutical, retail, resort and hospitality, restaurant, shipping, snack food, steel, telecommunications, textiles, and trucking.
Walker's labor and employment practice primarily consists of defending companies in litigation relating to employment discrimination, all forms of harassment, wage and hour, wrongful termination, trade secret misappropriation, restrictive covenant enforcement, and unfair labor practices. He also represents companies when the government comes knocking at their door. He also routinely counsels employers on leave issues, positive and legally viable employment practices and policies, reductions in force and plant closings, the sale and acquisition of domestic and foreign businesses, executive terminations and severance packages, and union avoidance. Walker has successfully represented numerous domestic and foreign employers before the EEOC, the US Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, and the S.C. Department of Labor, Licenses and Regulation.
In the economic development area, Walker assists companies with myriad tax and other incentive arrangements, all employment-related issues, and all immigration-related issues.
Highly-regarded and globally recognized in his field, Walker 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 the South Carolina Super Lawyers list for almost fifteen years.
Charleston Regional Development Alliance, Board of Directors, 2012-present
Charleston Regional Development Alliance, Executive Committee, 2016-2018
Porter-Gaud School, Board of Trustees, 2011-2019; Chairman 2019-2022
Chairman, Clemson University, Accounting, Finance, and Legal Studies Board of Directors, 2010-2016
Clemson University Senior Advisory Board of Directors, 2012-2019
Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 2007-2015
Defense Research Institute, Panel Counsel Committee Chair and South Carolina Liaison, Employment Law Committee, 2005-2011
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Board of Directors, Mid-Atlantic Chapter, 2003-2008
Leadership Charleston, Class of 1996
Defense Trial Lawyers Association, Member
Association of Corporate Counsel South Carolina: Playing it Safe: Corporate Counsel’s Role in Reopening Businesses During the COVID-19 Pandemic, March 2021
Defense Research Institute: Employment Litigation Handbook: Post-Trial Motions, 2011
Charleston Regional Business Journal: Charleston Lifestyle Lures Young Lawyers from Big Cities, 2007
Charleston Regional Business Journal: Image-Based Discrimination, 2005
Charleston Regional Business Journal: Protect Your Assets: Craft a Non-Compete That Won’t Let You Down, 2005
For the Defense (Defense Research Institute): Evidence of Employment Discrimination: The Impact of Desert Palace, 2004
John M. Olin Institute for Employment Practice & Policy, George Mason Univ.: Government Protection of Employees Involved in Mergers & Acquisitions, 1998
How to Get Ready for the Tsunami of New Overtime Claims, with Henry W. Frampton, IV, published in South Carolina Corporate Counsel Newsletter and as K&L Gates Client Alert, August 2012
Post-Trial Motions in Employment Litigation, in DRI Employment Law Trial Tactics, with Henry W. Frampton, IV, 2010
Co-author, Evidence of Employment Discrimination: The Impact of Desert Palace, published in DRI’s For the Defense.2004
Co-author, Protect Your Assets: Craft a Non-Compete That Won’t Let You Down, published in Charleston Regional Business Journal, 2005
University of South Carolina School of Law
J.D.
1993
Clemson University
B.A.
1986
Provided by Chambers
Provided by Chambers
Walker is immediately responsive and always helpful.
Walker is very well versed, particularly with representing multinational companies. He brings great insight.
Walker is immediately responsive and always helpful.
Walker is very well versed, particularly with representing multinational companies. He brings great insight.