Overview
Stephen Mitchell serves as the managing partner of the firm's Columbia office, concentrating in traditional labor law, complex labor and employment due diligence in private equity/venture capital, and complex class action litigation. With substantial experience in the manufacturing sector, he holds the position of co-chair of the firm's industry team. Alongside Michael Marra, the managing partner of the New York office, Steve leads the firm's Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Practice Group.
In his role as Employer Co-Chair of the Committee on Development of the Law Under the NLRA, one of the ABA Labor and Employment Law Section's oldest and largest committees, Steve collaborates with committee members to stay abreast of evolving case law under the National Labor Relations Act. The Committee's focus is on fostering the orderly and equitable development of this case law. Additionally, as the Employer Co-Chair, Steve serves as an Editor of the publication of The Developing Labor Law: The Board, the Courts, and the National Labor Relations Act, a comprehensive treatise for labor law practitioners. Steve holds certification from the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Specialist in Employment and Labor Law.
With a career spanning over 30 years, Steve’s practice encompasses advising clients on collective bargaining, responding to unfair labor practices, navigating acquisitions involving unionized facilities, managing union organizing efforts, corporate campaigns, labor arbitrations, and addressing work stoppages. His client base is diverse, including private equity, banks, multinational manufacturing companies with extensive distribution facilities, and healthcare providers. While Steve does spend a majority of his time in the traditional labor law arena, he maintains an active employment litigation and restrictive covenant practice.
Beginning his career as a prosecutor, Steve gained valuable trial experience. He has successfully handled administrative charges and lawsuits in state and federal courts involving various employment-related claims such as wrongful discharge, Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employment testing, and non-compete matters.
Acknowledging his contributions, Steve was honored as the 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in South Carolina for Employment Law – Management by Best Lawyers in America. He holds an "AV" Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has consistently earned recognition, including listings in Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business since 2007, South Carolina Super Lawyers since 2009, and The Best Lawyers in America since 2010. Furthermore, he was named to Columbia Business Monthly's Legal Elite of the Midlands in 2015 and is a respected member of the John Belton O’Neall Inn of Court.