Emily G. Massey
North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Employment Law
T 919.277.9168
F 919.277.9177
E egmassey@wardandsmith.com
O Raleigh, NC
Practice Areas:
Charter and Private Schools, E-Discovery, Education Law, Employment Litigation, Government and Internal Investigations, In-House Counsel, Insurance Counseling and Recovery, Labor and Employment, Litigation
Emily is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Employment Law. Her practice focuses on helping employers navigate complex employment law issues. She has become a trusted advisor to businesses and organizations in facilitating compliance in the rapidly-changing employment landscape, providing counsel at all stages of personnel matters and negotiating resolutions to employee disputes.
Grounded by practical business experience, Emily integrates her prior public relations career into helping clients effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders. Her litigation experience bolsters her ability to both represent clients in active disputes and advise clients on effective human resources practices to help prevent litigation.
Honors and Distinctions
- “Rising Star,” Employment & Labor, North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2021-2026
- “Ones to Watch,” The Best Lawyers in America®, 2025-2026
- “Legal Elite,” Business North Carolina, Employment 2022, 2024
Please see the following websites for an explanation of the membership standards for the following recognitions: www.bestlawyers.com; businessnc.com/special-sections/legal-elite/; and www.superlawyers.com/north-carolina.
- J.D., magna cum laude, Campbell Law School, 2017; Editor in Chief, Campbell Law Review; Teaching Scholar, Legal Research & Writing; Member, Campbell Law Moot Court Team; Quarterfinalist, 2015 Richard A. Lord Intramural Moot Court Competition; Quarterfinalist, 2015 Kilpatrick Townsend 1L Mock Trial Competition; 2017 National Association of Women Lawyers Award
- B.A., summa cum laude, North Carolina State University, 2010
- Park Scholar, North Carolina State University, 2006-2010
- Park Scholarships Program
- North Carolina State University Alumni Association
- Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce (Leadership Raleigh)
- North Carolina Bar Association – Sections: Employment Law Section; Education Law Section
- North Carolina, 2017
- United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
Representative Experience
- Counseling private businesses regarding compliance with multi-state employment laws and other emerging employment issues
- Negotiating employment agreements on behalf of employers and employees
- Enforcing restrictive covenants in state and federal courts to protect employers’ businesses
- Representing clients during wage and hour investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor
- Defending employers against state and federal employment discrimination claims before state and federal courts, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Conducting human resources investigations for employers receiving discrimination complaints
- Advising North Carolina charter schools and private schools on applicable education law, public meeting laws, and employment issues
