Kelly Hughes Named Honoree of W.I.S.H. Society 2017 Campaign

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – November 8, 2017 – Kelly Hughes, a shareholder in the Charlotte office of Ogletree Deakins, was recently named an honoree of the W.I.S.H. Society’s 2017 campaign. W.I.S.H. Society honorees are selected based on professional success, community and/or professional leadership, and demonstrated commitment and passion for the Make-A-Wish Foundation mission.

The W.I.S.H. (Women Inspiring Strength and Hope) Society is a Make-A-Wish Foundation initiative designed to call attention to the incredible things women are doing—both professionally and philanthropically—in the North Carolina community. W.I.S.H. Society honorees are uniquely talented, compassionate leaders who are invited to serve as partners to the organization. They’re empowered to grant the wishes of local children battling life-threatening medical conditions by raising much needed funds. Since 2013—the initiative’s inaugural year—W.I.S.H. Society honorees have raised more than $850,000 to grant the wishes of 140 children in North Carolina.  

Hughes has spent her career advising and representing employers in all areas of labor and employment law, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, non-competition and non-disclosure covenants, leaves of absence, and employment agreements and policies. Hughes is also a nationally recognized authority on workplace flexibility and guides clients in creating and/or enhancing workplace flexibility tools in a manner that balances the business needs of the client with the various employment laws that may be implicated. She authored the legal chapters of the book Workflex: The Essential Guide to Effective and Flexible Workplaces, as well as the Workflex and Employment Law Pocket Guide for the Society for Human Resource Management’s When Work Works initiative. Hughes travels around the U.S. delivering presentations on this and other cutting-edge topics, such as transgender rights in the workplace.

At Ogletree Deakins, Hughes is co-chair of the Retail Industry Group, a member of the EEOC Litigation Practice Group and Higher Education Group, co-chair of the Business Resource Group ODFamily, a reduced hours advisor, and an ambassador to the Professional Development Committee. She earned her B.M., cum laude, from Vanderbilt University and her J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law.

About Ogletree Deakins
Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. Premier client service, as outlined in the firm’s Client Pledge, is one of the firm’s top priorities and a cornerstone of its core values. U.S. News – Best Lawyers^® “Best Law Firms” has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for seven consecutive years. In 2018, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Litigation – Labor & Employment category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 850 attorneys located in 52 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, from small businesses to Fortune 50 companies. www.ogletree.com