Elizabeth R. Gift

Elizabeth is a fully-integrated partner in her clients’ employment challenges as both a thoughtful counselor and an experienced litigator.

Elizabeth devotes a substantial portion of her practice to providing creative, strategic, and practical advice to her clients on nearly every aspect of the employment relationship. As a strategic partner, Elizabeth focuses on addressing existing or threatened employment claims and on developing effective strategies to mitigate risk, all while meeting the unique business objectives of her clients. While Elizabeth serves employers across multiple industries, she has a depth of experience with clients in retail, manufacturing, healthcare, financial, and higher education, among others.

Elizabeth devotes the remainder of her practice to employment litigation. Whether it be enterprise-wide litigation, single-plaintiff litigation, or mass arbitration filings, Elizabeth has a compelling record in high stakes litigation, including under the FLSA, Title VII, the ADA, Section 1981, the ADEA, the FMLA, and the Federal Arbitration Act. Elizabeth’s deep and varied experience has resulted in appearances across the United States, including the Fourth and Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and federal and/or state courts in North Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and Connecticut.

Elizabeth also regularly defends employers before federal and state administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the North Carolina Department of Labor (NC DOL). Prior to joining Ogletree Deakins, Elizabeth worked at the EEOC – an experience that provided her with a unique perspective into an administrative agency that at times can be a mystery to employers and other employer-side lawyers. She also routinely revises employee handbooks, policies, and agreements, as well as provides training to employee and management groups to help them remain compliant with applicable laws.

Elizabeth has received recognition by clients and peers for her work.  Most recently, she was selected for the 29^th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Litigation – Labor and Employment.  She was also named a North Carolina Super Lawyers’ “Rising Star” for six consecutive years and Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite” three years in a row. Beyond her practice, Elizabeth enjoys being with her husband and sons, golfing, and spending time outdoors.