Aretina K. Samuel-Priestley

Overview

Employment law advisor, litigator, and strategist Tina Samuel-Priestley represents employers involved in a wide variety of employment issues. In and out of state and federal court and before myriad administrative agencies, Tina guides clients through disputes involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour issues. She advises on a wide range of employment law matters involving alternative staffing industries, including professional employer organizations (PEOs) and temporary staffing companies. Tina also represents employers in unemployment appeals hearings before the North Carolina Division of Employment Security.

Moreover, Tina routinely navigates clients through the investigation, discipline, and termination of employees; whistleblower allegations; employee attendance and leave issues under the FMLA, ADA, and other state and federal laws; compliance with wage and hour laws; restructurings, layoffs, and facility shutdowns, including to provide counsel regarding the WARN Act and severance issues; OSHA investigations; and employment agreements, including non-competition and non-disclosure agreements. She also regularly represents clients faced with professional liability, D&O, commercial, and other civil actions in courts across the country.

Having worked for more than a decade as a labor and employment and litigation paralegal prior to law school, Tina always knew employer defense was her passion. Clients and colleagues alike appreciate her diplomatic approach to complex employment challenges, combining legal acuity with an in-depth understanding of workforce dynamics. Tina's ability to translate the law into actionable business strategies gives clients the confidence they need to excel across the ever-changing employment landscape. Tina’s longevity of practice and hands-on experience allows her to anticipate potential issues or missteps before they escalate into serious problems, often saving her clients valuable time and resources.

Honors & Speeches

Honors

• Recipient, National Association of Women Lawyers Award, 2013
• Recipient, North Carolina Advocates for Justice Award, 2013

Presentations & Speeches

• Panelist, “All About Accommodations,” EEOC FY2025 Virtual Workshop - ADA and Accommodations: What Employers Need to Know, EEOC, 2025
• Speaker, “The ADA: A Guide for Using the Law for Job Protection & to Avoid Lawsuits for Employers,” Charlotte-Mecklenburg Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conference, 2024

News

Professional

• Member, Labor & Employment Law Council, North Carolina Bar Association
• Member, Mecklenburg County Bar Association
• Member, North Carolina State Bar Association
• Member, Virginia State Bar Association