Meeting/Event Information

2022 Attorney Panel

Please join us for one of our most popular programs of the year, the Attorney Panel. This program provides members with answers to their employment related legal questions. The Panel will respond to questions on current topics. Please note we have extend this event by 30 minutes to allow for additional Q&A so don't forget to bring your questions!  Email questions in advance to [email protected].

This year our panel will include:

Dalton Green, a partner in the Wilmington office of Hedrick, Gardner, Kincheloe and Garofalo.  Dalton's practice focuses on the areas of employment law and workers' compensation.  She counsels employers on all aspects of employment law, including hiring and termination practices, policy and handbook drafting, discrimination/EEOC claims, wrongful termination under the NC Retaliatory Discrimination Act (REDA) and Title VII, wage and hour disputes (FLSA), and unemployment claims. Dalton's expertise in the area of employee and employer social media usage has enabled her to present HRCI-accredited seminars on these topic.  Dalton is a past Board Member and pas President for the LCFHRA.

Will Oden, an attorney with Ward and Smith, P.A.  Will's practice focuses on employment law, workers' compensation, and occupational safety and health law issues.  He has been certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) since 2008 and is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).  The Safety and Health Council of North Carolina and North Carolina Department of Labor have certified Will as a Manager of Environmental Safety and Health Programs (MESH).  He also is a certified mediator.  Will is a past Board Member and past President of the LCFHRA.

Benton Toups, a partner in the Wilmington office of Cranfill, Sumner & Hartzog.  Benton concentrates on representing businesses in all aspects of Labor and Employment Law.  He has extensive experience assisting employers with claims of harassment and discrimination under Title VII, the ADA, the NC Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act (REDA), as well as claims for unpaid wages and overtime pursuant to the FLSA and NC Wage and Hour Act.  Benton also represents clients in business disputes and commercial litigation matters and is a certified mediator.

Nicole Patino, Attorney at the Law Offices of L. Nicole Patino.  Nicole regularly advises and represents businesses and employees with employment and labor issues and claims, including NLRB and ERISA matters, handbook drafting and revisions, employment agreements, severance packages, and claims under Title VII.  She also regularly represents supervisors and managers when they are sued in the course and scope of their employment. Prior to law school, Nicole worked as a substance abuse counselor and uses that experience in practice, interpreting medical records, evaluating emotional distress damages, and assessing the credibility of witnesses. She is the President of the Greensboro Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, is a Board member of Piedmont Triad Women Attorneys, is the Legislative Chair for the Lower Cape Fear Human Resources Association, and is active with the Greensboro Bar Association.  Nicole served as the Legislative Chair for the LCFHRA in 2019 & 2020 and is returing for 2022.