Nicole A. Murphey

Nicole focuses her practice in the areas of employment relations, policies, practices, and audits. She provides management-strategic counsel on a range of issues including negotiating and drafting contracts and agreements, termination and severance, navigating discrimination and harassment allegations, employment handbooks, employment policies and procedures, and enforcement of non-competition clauses and other restrictive covenants.

Nicole has particular and extensive experience representing multinational companies, helping them comply with laws and regulations while managing liability, resolving conflicts, and protecting their investment in the U.S. market.

As a Certified Global Business Professional (NASBITE), Nicole has a specific focus on assisting global clients with their international operations with issues such as corporate formation of international subsidiaries, contract disputes, export compliance, and employment law concerns for domestic and foreign-based employees.

Nicole began her career in the international business law practice of an Atlanta, Georgia law firm, where she focused on corporate, transactional, and employment matters for German companies operating in the USA. She was an associate and later a partner of a German-American law firm in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she focused on foreign direct investment projects and employment matters for both foreign-owned corporations and American businesses.

Prior to joining Michael Best, Nicole led the employment law practice of Forrest Firm, PC.

Solutions in action

• Negotiated employment, termination and severance offers for employees of various foreign-owned businesses, including significant experience with parent companies in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Brazil, South Africa, Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, and the Netherlands.
• Defended US subsidiary and German parent company against former employee’s claims of discrimination (violations of Title VII and ADA); obtained dismissal of all charges from EEOC and South Carolina Human Affairs Commission.
• Advised European parent company on potential risks and liabilities related to the secondment of German employee to US subsidiary office.
• Defended US subsidiary and Italian parent company against former employee’s claims of wrongful termination and breach of contract arising under both Canadian and North Carolina law; managed Canadian co-counsel; settled all claims.