Reginald W. Belcher

Reggie Belcher is certified as a Specialist in Employment and Labor Law by the South Carolina Supreme Court and is Turner Padget’s Practice Group Manager for its Workplace Litigation Team, which includes attorneys who practice labor and employment law, workers’ compensation, and professional liability and licensing.

He represents management in employment litigation, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims and enforcement of non-compete agreements, trade secrets, and other restrictive covenants. He practices traditional labor relations, including responding to union organizing efforts, defending unfair labor practice charges, and collective bargaining.

Reggie defends employers in state and federal courts and before governmental agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the United States Department of Labor (DOL), the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC), the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR), the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). He also is a certified mediator and certified arbitrator and has resolved numerous employment and business claims via these alternative dispute methods.

He advises employers on legal compliance, strategic HR initiatives, internal investigations, and crisis management and helps employers avoid potential legal liability by conducting internal HR audits, training supervisors and managers on best practices, and developing necessary policies and practices.

Reggie has an extensive background in human resources, including a Master of Human Resources degree and prior HR experience with a large international manufacturer. He believes that legal compliance, effective supervisors, and sound HR practices can foster positive working relationships built on trust and respect between employees and management—which ultimately enhance safety, productivity, and profitability.

Reggie also leads Turner Padget’s statewide professional licensing team, which defends professionals in disciplinary matters before various boards regulated by the LLR, including the Board of Nursing, Board of Medical Examiners, Board of Dentistry, Board of Psychology, State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers, Board of Social Work, and Board of Contractors.

Employment Litigation

Won summary judgment and appeal to the Fourth Circuit United States Court of Appeals defending a large manufacturer in a class action alleging race discrimination, racial harassment, and retaliation where the potential damages exceeded $100 million.
Won summary judgment and appeal to the Fourth Circuit defending a telecommunications company in a class action alleging race and gender discrimination where the potential damages exceeded $50 million.
Successfully defended a manufacturer on claims alleging breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets where the potential damages exceeded $10 million.
Won summary judgment for a business executive accused of defamation in a case where the potential damages exceeded $5 million.
Won summary judgment for a faith-based Christian university by successfully contending that the “ministerial exception” barred a former professor’s claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Administrative

Led international manufacturer to repeat wins in union representation elections in consecutive years.
Successfully defended a manufacturer on two dozen unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board in a three-year span, resulting in no reinstatements or back pay awards.
Negotiated with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) to withdraw a demand that a federal contractor pay back pay damages of nearly $1 million during an audit of the contractor’s affirmative action program.
Negotiated with the Federal Department of Labor to rescind a demand that an employer pay 14 employees a total of 24 months of back pay in a dispute involving meal and break periods.
Won directed verdict for a homeowners association (HOA) on disability discrimination and failure to accommodate claims under the South Carolina Fair Housing Law and the federal Fair Housing Act.

Appellate

Won two cases representing employers at the South Carolina Court of Appeals involving alleged breaches of contract based on language contained in employee handbooks.
Won a case at the South Carolina Court of Appeals involving novel personal jurisdictional issues on behalf of a North Carolina restaurant that was sued in South Carolina.

University of South Carolina, J.D., 1996, Order of Wig and Robe
University of South Carolina, Masters of Human Resources, 1996
West Virginia University, B.S. Business Administration, 1992, Summa Cum Laude

South Carolina Bar, 1996
District of Columbia Bar, 2006
United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, 1997
Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, 2000

Professional or Industry Involvement

Specialization Board for Employment and Labor Law, South Carolina Bar, Committee Member (2015-present), Chair (2018-present)
Chair, Labor Law Committee, Defense Research Institute (2014-present)
Turner Padget Diversity Committee, Chair (2012-present)
Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), Member (Columbia, Sumter, and Pee Dee Chapters)
Turner Padget, Personnel Committee, Past Chair
Turner Padget, Employee Benefits Committee, Past Chair
Sumter SHRMA, Legislative and Diversity Committees, Past Chair
Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Former Board Member

Community or Pro Bono Involvement

Work-in-Progress, Vice-Chair, (2009-present)
American Red Cross, South Carolina Blood Services, Charter Member, Former Board Chair
American Red Cross, National Advisory Board, Former Member
Columbia Sertoma Club, Past President and Board Chair
Leadership South Carolina, Graduate
Adjunct Instructor, Benedict College (Labor Relations, Labor Law, HR Management, Business Ethics, Business Law) (2009-present)
Adjunct Instructor, Florence-Darlington Technical College (HR Management, Hiring/Training, Employment Law, Compensation) (2013-present)

Best Lawyers in America, Litigation: Labor and Employment, Labor Law – Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2018-2024
Chambers & Partners, USA – Litigation, General Commercial, 2024
South Carolina Lawyers Weekly Power List in Employment Law, 2024
Best Lawyers in America, "Lawyer of the Year Award", Labor Law: Management, 2023
40 Up and Comers in Employment Law/Most Powerful Employment Lawyers in the U.S. (LawDragon/HR Executive Magazine), 2012-2021
Midlands Elite Lawyer, Employment Law, 2010- 2020
Chambers U.S.A., Labor and Employment Law, 2013-2019
South Carolina Super Lawyer, Employment Law, 2009-2010, 2012-2019
Martindale-Hubbell – Rated AV Preeminent

Articles

How to Evaluate A Complex Request For Religious Exemption Or Accommodation

"New Employment Laws for 2021- SC Chapter," DRI (February 2021)
“Political Activities in Private Sector Workplaces,” DRI / The Job Description (2018)
“The Culture War Comes to the Workplace," Columbia Business Monthly (2016)
“Have You Tuned Up Your Employment Policies,” SC Association of Corporate Counsel (2015)
“NLRB Releases Guidance on Workplace Policies,” DRI / The Job Description (2015)
“Controlling Your Business Risks,” SC Association of Corporate Counsel (2012)

Presentations & Speaking Engagements

SC Employers Advocacy Association, “Workers Comp and Other Legal Issues with Remote Workers” (2018) (Myrtle Beach, SC)
SC Technical College HR Annual Meeting, “Service Dogs in the Workplace and on College Campuses” (2018) (Greenville, SC)
Turner Padget Retreat, “Inappropriate Conduct in Today’s Politically Correct Workplace” (2018) (Columbia, SC)
National Business Institute, “Responding to Abusive Litigation Tactics” (2018) (Columbia, SC)
Southeast RIMS Annual Conference, “What’s New In Employment Law” (2017) (Charleston, SC)
Community Bankers Forum, “Best HR Practices When Hell Breaks Loose” (2017) (Columbia, SC)
National Business Institute, “Human Resources Boot Camp” (2017) (Columbia, SC)
Richland County Clerk of Court, “Maximizing Emotional Intelligence at Work” (2017) (Columbia, SC)
SC Technical College HR Annual Meeting, “Trump’s Impact on the Workplace” (2017) (Charleston, SC)
Palmetto Health Conference, “Labor and Employment Law Update” (2013-2017) (Columbia, SC)
SC Association of Corporate Counsel, “POTUS Candidates’ Positions on Workplace Issues” (2016) (Columbia, SC)
South Carolina IPMA-HR, “Substance Abuse and Drug Testing in the Workplace” (2016) (Columbia, SC)
SC Technical College HR Annual Meeting, “Update on LGBTQ and FLSA Issues” (2016) (Charleston, SC)
Turner Padget Retreat, “Diversity in the Legal Profession” (2015) (Florence, SC)
DRI Annual Meeting, “Managing and Winning Union Elections for Employers” (2015) (Washington, DC)
SC Association of Corporate Counsel, “Ethical Negotiations” (2015) (Columbia, SC)
Benedict College, “Title IX Update” (2015) (Columbia, SC)
SC Bar Annual Meeting, “Federal and State Immigration Reform” 2014 (Charleston, SC)
Southeast RIMS Annual Conference, “Employment Law Panel Discussion” (2013) (Charleston, SC)
SC Association of Corporate Counsel, “Drug/Alcohol Addiction in the Legal Profession” (2013) (Columbia, SC)
SC Annual SHRM Conference, “Dealing With Workplace Bullies,” (2012) (Myrtle Beach, SC)
Business Counsel, Inc., “Boeing and Beyond—The NLRB and Economic Development” (2011) (Asheville, NC)
National Business Institute, “Health Care Reform’s Impact on Employers” (2011) (National Webcast)
DRI Annual Meeting, “Social Networking at Work” (2010) (San Diego, CA)

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