The North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA) has officially launched a board-certified Employment Law Specialization, marking a significant milestone in the development of employment law practice in North Carolina. This new specialty gives both attorneys and the public a reliable way to identify lawyers with verified expertise, substantial experience, and demonstrated proficiency in this complex area of law.
Gibbons Law Group is excited to announce that its founder, Phil Gibbons, is a North Carolina Board-Certified Employment Law Specialist. As Co-Vice Chair of the NCBA Employment Law Specialty Committee, and as a member of the first group of board-certified employment law specialists in North Carolina, I am proud to have helped create and implement this new specialty and to explain why it matters to clients seeking employment law representation.
Why Employment Law Specialization Matters
Employment law is one of the most complex and fast-changing areas of legal practice. It involves a dense web of federal statutes—such as the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act—alongside state-specific laws including the North Carolina Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act and the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act. Successful representation requires not only familiarity with these laws, but deep experience applying them in real-world workplace disputes.
The Employment Law Specialization was created to distinguish attorneys who focus their practices in this area and who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, skill, and professionalism. Board certification provides an objective credential that helps clients make informed decisions when choosing counsel.
What It Takes to Become a Board-Certified Employment Law Specialist
Certification in employment law is not automatic and is not awarded based on seniority alone. Attorneys seeking board certification must meet rigorous standards established by the North Carolina State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization, including:
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Maintaining an active North Carolina law license in good standing
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Demonstrating substantial involvement in employment law over a sustained period
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Completing significant continuing legal education focused specifically on employment law
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Undergoing peer review by other experienced employment law attorneys
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Passing a comprehensive written examination testing both legal knowledge and practical application
Only attorneys who meet all of these requirements may hold themselves out as Board-Certified Specialists in Employment Law.
Why Clients Should Look for Specialization
For employees and employers facing workplace disputes, hiring the right attorney can make a decisive difference. Board certification in employment law offers clients several important benefits:
Verified Expertise
Specialization signals that an attorney’s knowledge and experience have been independently evaluated and confirmed through a formal certification process.
Focused Practice
Board-certified specialists devote a substantial portion of their practice to employment law, allowing them to stay current on legal developments and emerging trends.
Confidence in Representation
Employment law cases often involve high stakes—careers, livelihoods, and reputations. Specialization provides reassurance that counsel has the experience necessary to handle complex issues effectively.
Raising the Standard for Employment Law in North Carolina
The creation of an employment law specialty reflects the growing complexity of workplace law and the need for meaningful ways to identify qualified counsel. It also raises the overall standard of practice by encouraging focused expertise, continued education, and professional accountability.
Clients seeking employment law representation in North Carolina should strongly consider whether an attorney is board-certified in employment law. Specialization is not required to practice employment law, but it is a clear, objective indicator of advanced knowledge and commitment to excellence in this field.