Overview
Rick Morgan is certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a specialist in employment and labor law. He represents employers and has tried to verdict numerous employment defamation, discrimination, harassment and retaliation cases.
Rick advises and counsels employers on all aspects of employment and labor law issues and has experience representing employers in state and federal courts and in administrative tribunals. He has defended employers in litigation involving wage and hour laws, unemployment compensation, unfair labor practices, contract disputes, wrongful termination, negligent supervision/hiring/retention, intentional infliction of emotional distress, conspiracy and enforcement of non-compete agreements. In addition, Rick has advised employers during union organizing attempts and in OSHA matters. Rick sits as a part-time Municipal Judge for the City of Columbia.
Experience
- Settled ADA class action lawsuit for payment of a nominal amount to plaintiffs in bet-the-company litigation
- Obtained summary judgment in class action race discrimination lawsuit with potential exposure in excess of $100 million
- Served as counsel in SC Court of Appeals decision establishing factors to avoid treble damages and attorney fees in wage payment case
- Obtained Fourth Circuit opinion reversing U.S. District court finding of punitive damages
- Obtained jury verdict in favor of hospital in defamation claim by doctor, former chair of hospital's board of directors
- Successfully defended "Batson" charge before Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Obtained numerous jury verdicts in which individuals claimed major corporation discriminated against them
- Successfully defended (jury verdict) in sex discrimination, sex harassment, wage case
- Successfully defended (jury verdict) in race discrimination, race harassment case
Honors & Recognitions
- Named, Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Labor & Employment (2017-2019)
- Recipient, Leadership in Law Award, South Carolina Lawyers Weekly (2016)
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2007, Employment Law - Management since 2011, Labor Law - Management since 2011
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent© Peer Review Rating
- South Carolina Super Lawyers, Employment & Labor (2008-2022)
- Named, Legal Elite of the Midlands, Columbia Business Monthly (2010)
- Recipient, McNair Leadership Award (2000)
Newsroom
News
Speaking Engagements
Events
Articles
Professional & Community
Civic Activities
- Board Member, Junior Achievement of Central South Carolina, Inc. (1996-2015) Chair Emeritus (2011-2012)
Professional Activities
- Board Member, Committee of 100, Central SC Alliance (2011-2015)
- Past Chair, Labor & Employment Section, South Carolina Bar (2000)
Paralegal/Assistant
Paralegal
Melissa Oken
(803) 753-3335
moken@burr.com
Legal Practice Assistant
Valerie N. Hampton
(803) 753-3899
vhampton@burr.com
- Firm NewsBest Lawyers® 2024 Honors 242 Burr Attorneys, Including 17 "Lawyers of the Year"
- Articles / PublicationsSouth Carolina Employment Law Letter: Employee fails to connect racial acts to adverse action
- Firm News“The Hug-Worthy Way in which Rick Morgan Serves the Citizens of Columbia,” South Carolina Super Lawyers