Charles T. Speth II

Ted provides advice and legal representation in the following areas:

• Representing clients in civil rights class-action lawsuits under such statutes as 42 U.S.C. § 1981; 42 U.S.C. § 1982; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; and other federal and state civil rights laws
• Advising clients in the complex area of disability law, including issues under the ADA, FMLA, and state workers’ compensation laws. These statutory areas often interact with one another and, at times, create conflicts
• Representing clients in data privacy matters including being counsel in several “cutting edge” class action data breach lawsuits and providing advice to clients once it was discovered  that a data breach had occurred
• Advising and counseling clients when faced with downsizing or reorganizing their workforce. This advice would include reviewing possible exposure under various applicable state and federal employment discrimination laws and reviewing severance plan options, including the use of ERISA-covered plans and ensuring compliance with the OWBPA
• Advising and representing clients in the area of employment contracts. This advice includes reviewing company policies and procedures to ensure that employment contracts are not created unintentionally. Advising and counseling employers who wish to enter employment contracts with employees, particularly highly compensated executives, successful and mobile sales employees, and highly sought research and development personnel
• Advising employers in the new and quickly evolving area of technology in the workplace. This advice includes drafting IT policies, reviewing privacy issues, and training managers on the use and abuse of e-mail and other modern methods of communication
• Representing healthcare organizations in matters involving physician privileges, exclusive contracts with physician groups, and individual liability of healthcare executives.  Ted is also involved in representing teaching healthcare institutions with legal issues that arise with medical residents both in the employment and educational context
• Representing healthcare organizations in class action litigation involving patients’ rights issues

Education

• J.D., University of South Carolina School of Law, 1979
• A.B., Duke University, 1973, 

Admission to Practice

• U.S. Supreme Court
• South Carolina
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth, Fifth and Seventh Circuits

• South Carolina Bar (Employment and Labor Law Section, Chair 1990-1991)
• Richland County Bar Association
• American Board of Trial Advocates (President, South Carolina Chapter 2006-2007)
• Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce (Board of Directors; Chair 2007-2008)
• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce (General Counsel and Executive Committee Member)
• Litigation Counsel of America (Fellow)
• Health Sciences South Carolina (Patient Advisory Committee)
• Navigating From Good to Great Foundation (Ng2G) (Chairman)

• Association of Corporate Counsel, South Carolina Chapter – “Bizarre Attacks on the Company by Way of Blogs, YouTube, and Other Cyber Media” – Columbia – November 2010
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “ERISA Litigation Update – The Impact Of Health Care And The Supreme Court” – Las Vegas – May 2010
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Private Information – Employers’ Obligations To Protect Workers” – Miami – May 2009
• Midlands Technical College, Certificate in Employee Relations Law Series – “Equal Employment Opportunity Compliance” – Columbia – 2008 – 2011
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Evaluating Employee Performance Without Creating Legal Liability” – Atlanta – May 2006
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Structured Positive Employee Relations Programs – A Tool For Avoiding A Host Of Problems” – San Antonio – May 2005

• June 26, 2008 – Op-Ed, The State – “Not Acting On Transportation Isn’t An Option”
• 2007 – Labor and Employment Law for South Carolina Lawyers – “Americans with Disabilities Act”
• 2007 – Labor and Employment Law for South Carolina Lawyers – “Retaliatory Discharge”
• March 19, 2006 – Op-Ed, The State – “Immigration Changes And Economic Realities”

• January 7, 2011 – South Carolina Lawyers Weekly – “Lawyer Aids Nuclear Charge: Consortium Champions Small Modular Reactors As Economy Booster for South Carolina”
• December 12, 2010 – The State – “Suit Highlights Reservists' Job Tensions”
• September 24, 2010 – The State – “75 Turn Out To Promote Penny Tax”
• July 29, 2010 – The State – “Benjamin Gets New Job: New Mayor To Join Labor And Employment Law Firm”
• July 8, 2010 – Associated Press – “SC Chamber Sticks With Sheheen Endorsement”
• March 8, 2010 – The State – “We Like Where We Live, But Fear Lack Of A Unified Vision”
• October 19, 2009 – South Carolina Lawyers Weekly – “Firms In S.C. Offer Legal Remedies For the Flu: Employment Lawyers Discuss Ways Companies Can Prepare For Outbreaks”
• March 19, 2006 – The State – “Immigration Changes and Economic Realities”

• Chambers USA:  America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Tier 1 Ranking)
• Named the Best Lawyers®
  • Columbia Employment Law – Management Lawyer of the Year (2025)
  • Columbia Litigation – Labor & Employment Lawyer of the Year (2016)
  • Columbia Litigation – Labor & Employment Lawyer of the Year (2013)
  • Columbia Employment Law – Management Lawyer of the Year (2012)
• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Employment Law – Management (2003-2025)
  • Litigation – Labor and Employment (2003-2025)
• Legal Elite in the South Carolina Midlands
• South Carolina Super Lawyers
• Riley Institute’s Midlands Diversity Leaders Initiative Class II
• BTI Client Service All-Star
• AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell