Ward and Smith, P.A.
X. Lightfoot

X. Lightfoot

NC Board Certified Specialist in Employment Law and Personal Injury Attorney

T 919.277.9120
F 919.277.9177
E xlightfoot@wardandsmith.com
O Raleigh, NC

X. is a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Employment Law. His practice primarily focuses on labor and employment law, serious personal injury and wrongful death, and civil litigation.

As a member of the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group, X. has represented clients across North Carolina in state and federal courts, addressing issues ranging from employment discrimination and harassment to employee discipline and wage and hour matters. His practice includes guiding employers on personnel policies, handbooks, and compliance with various labor laws. X. is well-versed in handling administrative proceedings before agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Department of Labor (DOL), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). His expertise extends to providing legal counsel on workplace discrimination, retaliation, and wage and hour issues, making him a sought-after lecturer on these critical topics.

In addition, X. has experience litigating claims for serious personal injury, including cases involving vehicle accidents, professional malpractice, and premises liability, among other areas. He also represents both corporate and individual clients in a broad range of civil litigation before state and federal courts.

Originally from Columbus, Georgia, X. has called North Carolina home since his middle school years when his family moved to the Winston-Salem area. In addition to his professional achievements, X. is deeply committed to community service and volunteerism. He volunteers on the FrontLine at Now Church in Chapel Hill and enjoys spending quality time with his family. An avid sports fan, he passionately supports the Georgia Bulldogs football team, Atlanta Braves, and Atlanta Falcons.

Education
  • J.D., cum laude, The North Carolina Central University School of Law, 2019; Managing Editor, Science and Intellectual Property Law Review; Co-Lead, Dean’s Ambassadors; Contracts Tutor, Academic Success Fellow; President, Business Law Society; Senior Barrister, Trial Advocacy Board; Outstanding Advocate Award, Region V, 2019 Texas Young Lawyers Association – National Trial Competition; First place, 2019 Willie E. Gary 3L Trial Advocacy Competition; First Place, 2018 Michael F. Easley 2L Trial Advocacy Competition; First Place, 2017 Mary Wright 1L Closing Argument Competition
  • BSBA, East Carolina University, 2014
  • Diversity and Inclusion Certificate, eCornell, Cornell University, 2021
Admitted to Practice
  • North Carolina, 2019
  • All state courts in North Carolina
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina
Honors and Distinctions*
  • “Rising Star,” Employment & Labor, North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2023-2026
  • “Legal Elite,” Business North Carolina, Employment, 2024-2026
  • “Ones to Watch,” The Best Lawyers in America®, 2021-2026
2025 Ones to Watch Badge
Representative Experience
  • Represented employers and supervisors in litigation relating to employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII)
  • Represented various employers before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission with Respect to charges of employment discrimination arising under Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”)
  • Represented various companies in negotiations with governmental agencies regarding alleged misclassification of employees as independent contractors and resulting unpaid wage and tax liabilities
  • Counseled multi-state employers on a wide range of labor and employment law issues, including personnel policies and handbooks, employment discriminations and harassment, employee discipline and termination, drug and alcohol testing, and various wage and hour issues
  • Conducted internal investigations for employers involving employees’ complaints of harassment and discrimination
  • Obtained a favorable settlement for a large synthesizer company in a 35-page complaint alleging sex and gender discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination under Title VII, The North Carolina Equal Employment Practices Act, and North Carolina’s public policy
  • Obtained a favorable settlement for a large staffing agency against a large consumer goods company in a breach of contract claim for failure to pay invoices regarding time billed for temporary personnel
  • Represented a large eyewear conglomerate in enforcement of non-competition covenants against two optometrists in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, which resulted in a favorable settlement for the client
  • Obtained dismissal on Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss a complaint alleging age and national origin discrimination for failure to satisfy the Twombly/Iqbal pleading standard in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
  • Represented classical musical festival in opposition to RC petition with the National Labor Relations Board
  • Represented an Italian restaurant in defense of USDOL wage and hour audit that determined the restaurant had failed to pay minimum hourly wages and overtime wages in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to 44 current and former employees
Professional and Community Affiliations
  • Capital City Lawyers Association, Treasurer
  • Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association, Board Member
  • North Carolina Advocates for Justice – Section: Auto Torts (CLE/conference presenter)
  • North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers
  • North Carolina Bar Association – Section: Litigation, Section Council and Co-Chair of Membership Committee; Young Lawyers Division, Co-Chair of Bar Outreach
  • Society for Human Resource Management
  • Tenth Judicial District Bar
  • Triangle Society for Human Resource Management, DEI Chair
  • Wake County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Board Member