E. Grantland Burns practices primarily in the areas of litigation, employment law, corporate compliance/crisis management, and alternate dispute resolution. He has also advised clients in matters of white-collar crime. Mr. Burns has considerable trial experience defending discrimination, harassment, and retaliation cases brought under state and federal employment statutes, as well as claims of wrongful discharge, contract disputes, and various torts. His practice, which has included an extensive amount employment arbitration, has taken him to more than 30 states. He has also tried a number of environmental matters related to groundwater contamination, and, in addition, he has handled several jury trials involving general business disputes. A Certified Mediator since 2004, Mr. Burns has helped resolve a wide array of disputes ranging from construction, environmental, probate, torts, and contracts. Historically, much of Mr. Burns' practice has been preventive counseling and advice on tough corporate decisions. He has assisted large corporations and small businesses in developing policies and procedures to limit risk and ensure compliance with federal and state laws. Away from the office, Mr. Burns is a published author and has been a leader in many civic organizations. Mr. Burns received his undergraduate degree from Clemson University, where he served as Student Body President, and his J.D. from the Washington and Lee University School of Law, where he was Student Bar Association President. Career Highlights · Best Lawyers in America - Labor and Employment Law since 2007 · S.C. House of Delegates, Member · Greenville County Bar Association, Former President · Greenville Young Lawyers, Former President · South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association - Employment Law Section, Former Chair · Certified Circuit Court Mediator by S.C. Board of Arbitrator and Mediator Certification · Certified Mediator by the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina News 62 Attorneys Named to the 2012 Edition of Best Lawyers®
Nexsen Pruet is proud to announce that 62 of its attorneys have been named to the 2012 edition of Best Lawyers®. "Wrongful termination suit dismissed"
The Greenville News reports on Nexsen Pruet's defense of Anderson County in a wrongful termination lawsuit. Fifty-nine Attorneys Selected for Best Lawyers in America®; Five Practice Areas Listed Among Top in the Carolinas
Nexsen Pruet is proud to announce that 59 of its attorneys have been named to the 2011 edition of Best Lawyers®. Nexsen Pruet Attorneys Recognized by Their Peers
Nineteen Nexsen Pruet attorneys have been named to the 2010 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. Fifty-eight Attorneys Selected for Best Lawyers in America®
Fifty-eight Nexsen Pruet attorneys will be included in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Twenty-Five Nexsen Pruet Attorneys Named Among South Carolina's Super Lawyers®
Twenty-five Nexsen Pruet attorneys have been named to the 2009 list of South Carolina Super Lawyers®. "Nexsen Pruet new law firm for Anderson County"
The Anderson Independent Mail reports "Nexsen Pruet new law firm for Anderson County." Nexsen Pruet Moves into New Office Space in Greenville
Nexsen Pruet has moved into new office space in Greenville. "Pouring the water cooler on office romance"
The December 8th, 2008 edition of GSA Business featured a column written by Nexsen Pruet Employment and Labor Law attorney Grant Burns. "Please re-lease me: Upstate office glut looms"
The October 27, 2008 edition of GSA Business features a story about Nexsen Pruet's upcoming move and the amount of vacant office space in the Greenville area. 45 Nexsen Pruet Attorneys Selected for Best Lawyers
Columbia, SC - Forty-five Nexsen Pruet attorneys will be included in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. The publication also ranks Nexsen Pruet #1 in eleven practice areas in South Carolina and three in North Carolina. 38 Nexsen Pruet Attorneys Names To "The Best Lawyers in America 2008"
Thirty-eight attorneys from Nexsen Pruet, LLC were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2008 - including six who have now earned the honor for 10 years or more. Grant Burns Elected to Serve as President of the Clemson University Alumni Association
We are pleased to announce that E. Grantland ("Grant") Burns has been elected to the national position of president of Clemson University's Alumni Association, effective July 1, 2007. Burns is a member (partner) in Nexsen Pruet's Greenville, S.C. office. He focuses his practice in the areas of litigation and employment law. Grant Burns Elected to SC Bar Leadership Post
E. Grantland "Grant" Burns, an attorney who practices in Nexsen Pruet's Greenville offices, has been elected to serve as a 13th Judicial Circuit Delegate in the South Carolina Bar House of Delegates. Publications I-9 Compliance: Avoiding Traps of New Federal Security Features
A redesigned federal document is leading to confusion as businesses try to comply with the I-9 requirement. Employment Law Update - January 2012
As employers plan for 2012, the inherent risk posed by departing employees presents an opportunity to reevaluate measures used to protect confidential information and trade secrets from the high cost of misappropriation. NLRB Delays Requirement for Employers to Post Pro-Union Notice
On August 25, 2011, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued regulations requiring virtually all employers to post a large notice to employees informing them of rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), particularly their right to unionize. Employers must post the notice beginning April 30th, 2012. Employment Law Update - December 2011
The EEOC is processing a record number of charges and collecting record settlement amounts. It is pursuing an aggressive systemic enforcement program and focusing on hiring issues. In this edition we discuss what the EEOC is doing and some of the implications for employers. 2011 Employment and Labor Law - Final Exam Answer Key
Last week's final exam generated tremendous response from Nexsen Pruet clients and friends. Congratulations to our winners. 2011 Employment and Labor Law - Final Exam
It's time to test your knowledge of the current state of employment and labor law. Pro-Union NLRB Presents Challenges to Employers: Employment Law Update - October 2011
Recent pro-union decisions and proposed rules by the NLRB pose challenges for employers. Wrongful Discharge Claims Limit Employment At-Will Doctrine in North and South Carolina: Employment Law Update - September 2011 Supplemental
Employment in North and South Carolina is at-will, which generally means an employer can terminate an employee at any time without notice. However, both states have long-recognized exceptions to the employment-at-will doctrine, including provisions that an employee cannot be discharged for reasons that contravene the "public policy" of the state. Employment Law Update - August 2011 Supplemental
This edition is about a United States Supreme Court decision that illustrates the importance of using clear wording when drafting employee invention assignment agreements. Employment Law Update - August 2011
South Carolina and North Carolina have passed state immigration laws mandating employment verification and imposing penalties for failure to comply. Employment Law Update - July 2011
Employers are increasingly disciplining workers over misuse of social media. At issue in so-called "Facebook Firing" cases is whether terminating employees for making disparaging online posts, and having policies prohibiting such posts, violates federal labor law. Employment Law Update - June 2011
This edition analyzes the EEOC's new final regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008. Employment Law Update - May 2011
The United States Supreme Court recently ruled that the anti-retaliation provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) extends to an employee's oral complaints. Employment Law Update - April 2011
In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that an employer can be held liable for employment discrimination based upon the discriminatory animus of a supervisor who influenced, but did not make, the ultimate employment decision. Employment Law Update - March 2011
A new U.S. Supreme Court decision allows third-party retaliation claims under Title VII. Employment Law Update - February 2011
This edition reviews inclement weather wage and hour issues. Employment Law Update - January 2011
Pregnancy discrimination claims are on the rise; and the NLRB proposes a mandatory pro-union poster for all employers. Employment Law Update - December 2010
New final regulations under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act were published by the EEOC in November and will take effect January 10, 2011. Employment Law Update - November 2010
This edition addresses the enforceability of non-competition agreements in the Carolinas. Employment Law Update - October 2010
This edition focuses on a recent lawsuit brought by the EEOC on behalf of an applicant who claims his employer discriminated against him because of his religion in violation of federal law. The applicant requested the employer make an exception to its grooming policy for religious reasons. The article also mentions steps employers can take to minimize the risk of religious discrimination claims. Employment Law Update - September 2010 Supplemental
Part two of a two-part OSHA Update describing what employers can expect in connection with an inspection conducted by South Carolina OSHA and how to contest citations. Employment Law Update - September 2010
The U.S. Supreme Court continues to issue rulings favorable to arbitration agreements in the employment setting. Employment Law Update - August 2010 Supplemental
Part one of a two-part OSHA Update describing what employers can do to prepare for an inspection conducted by South Carolina OSHA. Employment Law Update - August 2010
This edition of the newsletter summarizes a Fact Sheet issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) setting out the agency's view of unpaid internships. Employment Law Update - June 2010
This edition reviews a recent decision by the Fourth Circuit federal appeals court examining who is a "supervisor" for purposes of holding a company liable for sexual harassment conduct by a supervisor. Employment Law Update - May 2010
On March 30, 2010, Governor Sanford signed legislation restructuring, and renaming, the South Carolina Employment Security Commission, and amending the state's employment security law. This month's update describes some of the changes that have taken place at the agency and in the benefits claims process. Employment Law Update - April 2010
Employer wins ADA suit brought by medical intern who could not perform the essential functions of his job with or without a reasonable accommodation. Employment Law Alert: The HIRE Act and FICA Taxation of Severance Benefits
Hiring for the HIRE Act: Federal Legislation Offers Substantial Incentives for Bringing on New Workers and Important New Development Affecting FICA Taxation of Severance Benefits Employment Law Update - March 2010
This edition describes new audit initiatives by the IRS and DOL that focus on potential misclassification of workers as independent contractors when they are, in fact, employees, as well as potential misclassification of employees as exempt from wage and hour laws when they do not meet the requirements for exempt status. Employment Law Update - February 2010
This month's Employment Law Update addresses some of the legal risks associated with employee use of blackberries and cell phones after work hours or while driving. Employment Law Update - January 2010
As the new year gets underway, the January edition of the Update discusses four resolutions employers will want to consider. Employment Law Update - October 2009
This edition focuses on the EEOC's recent publication that addresses waivers of discrimination claims in employee severance agreements; the EEOC reminds employers and employees about requirements for valid and enforceable releases, especially when the releases are for employees age 40 and older. Employment Law Update - August 2009
This edition focuses on three Department of Labor opinion letters that address how cost-cutting strategies like mandatory furloughs and reduced workweeks may affect an employee's exempt status under the Fair Labor Standards Act. It also updates pending North Carolina legislation that, if passed, would require private sector employers to use E-Verify to check the legal status of new hires. Employment Law Update - July 2009
This edition discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc. decision, which recognized a more stringent standard of proof for employees bringing claims under the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). According to the Court, a plaintiff asserting a disparate-treatment claim under the ADEA must prove that age was the "but-for" cause of an adverse employment action, as opposed to a mere "motivating factor." Employment Law Update - June 2009 Supplemental
Starting July 1, 2009, private employers in South Carolina with 100 or more employees must comply with the employment verification requirements of the South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act. Employment Law Update - June 2009
This edition focuses on recent court decisions striking down restrictive covenants for being overly broad and highlights the need to narrowly tailor non-compete and non-solicitation agreements. Employment Law Update - May 2009
This edition explains why many employers are seeking privileged legal compliance reviews of their compensation practices and documentation in the aftermath of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Employment Law Update - March 2009
This edition describes the recently enacted Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which extends the time period in which employees can pursue pay discrimination claims. Employment Law Update - February 2009 - Special COBRA Edition
The economic stimulus law signed by President Obama on February 17, 2009, contains significant changes to COBRA, providing for a premium subsidy for eligible employees and also giving eligible individuals another chance to elect COBRA. Employment Law Update - February 2009
This edition summarizes laws and issues that can impact Carolinas employers when downsizing or otherwise reducing payroll or schedules. Employment Law Update - January 2009
This edition summarizes key provisions of the new FMLA regulations, which will require substantial changes in employer policies and practices. Employment Law Update - December 2008
2009 promises to bring many changes and challenges for employers and their human resources departments. This edition identifies employment and labor law compliance issues that can be addressed through audits and employee surveys, as well as policy reviews and training. Pouring the Water Cooler on Workplace Romance
As long as men and women have worked together, there has been workplace romance. While all employers should prohibit harassment and discrimination, the question becomes whether, and to what extent, an employer should have an additional "fraternization" policy. Employment Law Update - March 2008
The federal appeals court with jurisdiction over the Carolinas concludes that claims by employees that are directly covered by the FLSA-such as overtime pay claims-must be brought under the FLSA and cannot be brought under state law causes of action that make it easier to sue and to recover punitive damages. Employment & Labor Law Desk Reference For The Carolinas Events Employment Law Quarterly Breakfast Briefing Employment Law Quarterly Breakfast Briefing Employment Law Quarterly Breakfast Briefings Webinar: Immigration Compliance & Enforcement Update Leave or Left - FMLA and Unemployment Benefits Civic & Professional Memberships · Defense Research Institute · South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association · Clemson University Alumni Association, Immediate Past President · Greenville Clemson Club, Former President · Boys Home of the South, Board of Directors · South Carolina Bar · Virginia State Bar · Greenville County Bar Association, Past President · Tiger Golf Foundation, Board of Directors |