Meredith Hamilton

Meredith partners with clients to understand their unique situations and provide actionable, thoughtful, and strategic legal advice to navigate the intricacies of employment law and an employer’s business goals.

Meredith has a robust employment litigation practice. Meredith focuses her practice on defending employers in employee-initiated lawsuits alleging wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, leave, and contract claims, among others. As a skilled litigator, Meredith has successfully defended employers in claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the North Carolina Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act (REDA), Section 1981, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act (NCWHA). Meredith also regularly guides and defends employers through administrative claims before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the North Carolina Department of Labor (NC DOL).

In addition to her litigation practice, Meredith routinely advises clients on a variety of employment matters from hiring to separation, assisting employers with the daily management of employment issues, and counseling on best practices, including leaves of absence and reasonable accommodations, among others. She also reviews and revises employee handbooks, policies, and agreements to comply with federal and state law.

Meredith has received recognition from clients and peers for her legal work. Most recently, Meredith was recognized as a North Carolina Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2024. She previously received a Rising Star Award from North Carolina Lawyers Weekly in 2021. Meredith also has an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell, a prestigious peer review rating system that recognizes attorneys for their legal ability and high ethical standards.

Prior to joining Ogletree Deakins, Meredith worked at a North Carolina civil litigation firm where she represented employers, municipalities, businesses, retailers, and insurers in matters involving employment law, premises liability, constitutional violations, and business disputes. Meredith completed her undergraduate studies at Clemson University and earned her law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.

Outside of practicing law, Meredith enjoys cooking, yoga, and spending time with her husband and Australian Shepherd.