2024 Law Series Speakers

Headshot of Bill DudaBill Duda | Wage and Hour; ADA & FMLA

Since 2000, Bill has been helping employers understand and comply with a broad range of employment laws, including Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, the FMLA, the FLSA and local wage/hour law, workers’ compensation, trade secret law and, restrictive covenants. He regularly represents management in employment-related litigation as well as in administrative matters before the EEOC and its state deferral agencies, the United States Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, and the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission.

Before becoming a lawyer, Bill was employed in a wide range of industries including manufacturing, construction and retail. At the time Bill enrolled in the University of South Carolina’s School of Law, he had been employed for several years as a retail store manager for a national drug store chain. Bill’s personal employment and management experience provides him a realistic and practical approach to the legal challenges employers face on a day-to-day basis.

Headshot of Kyle DillardKyle Dillard | OSHA

Mr. Dillard has extensive litigation experience including state and federal courts and in the arbitration context. His primary area of focus with respect to Ogletree Deakins’ Labor and Employment Practice is ERISA litigation. In that capacity, Mr. Dillard has defended clients in a variety federal district courts against claims arising under long-term and short-term disability, healthcare and employee stock ownership plans.

A native of the Upstate of South Carolina, Mr. Dillard graduated from Furman University in 1995 and received his law degree from the University of South Carolina in 2001 before returning to the Greenville area, where he resides with his wife and two young children.

Chris Thomas | Employee Handbooks; Unemployment Claims

Chris Thomas joined Ogletree in 2013. He has represented management in litigation involving a range of employment-related claims, including Title VII, ADEA, FMLA, wrongful discharge, and workplace torts.

Chris received his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he graduated cum laude. Prior to law school, Chris received his undergraduate degree in business administration from Coker College, where he played NCAA Division II baseball for four years. 

Headshot of John MerrellJohn Merrell | Labor Laws

John Merrell is an attorney in Ogletree’s Greenville, South Carolina office. Mr. Merrell represents and counsels management on a range of labor and employment law issues. His practice areas include employment policies and procedures, employee relations, unfair labor practice and presentation and federal and state litigation involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, noncompetition covenants, and breach of employment agreements. 

John is a native of Walhalla, South Carolina. He graduated from Clemson University in 2003 with a degree in Financial Management. In 2006, he graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Michael Nail | Workers Compensation

Michael embraces challenges and enjoys assisting clients navigate unique legal issues. Michael represents employers in a variety of labor and employment litigation, including suits under Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, and other anti-discrimination laws and employment related torts.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys many activities with his wife and their four young children, as well as his community and professional involvements, fitness initiatives, and spectator sports. 

Headshot of Michael HenthorneMichael Henthorne | EEO Compliance; Special Employment Issues

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 Americans with Disabilities Act, wage and hour disputes, employment torts and contracts, and Title VII.

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.

Chris Near | Affirmative Action

Chris Near is an experienced attorney working with Ogletree's Affirmative Action/OFCCP Compliance Practice Group. He helps defend federal contractors and subcontractors throughout the nation on jurisdictional, compliance, and enforcement issues.

Chris is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. 

Daniel Sulton | Employee Benefits/ERISA

DAniel is a member of Ogletree's employee benefits and executive compensation practice group and focuses in the areas of employee benefit plan compliance and litigation. He also counsels employers on retirement and executive compensation issues and represents clients in benefit plan litigation. 

Daniel is a frequent speaker on employee benefit topics and has been quoted in several national publications including the National Law Journal, EmployeeBenefit News and Inside Counsel.