Shannon "Missy" Sumerell Spainhour

Missy represents employers in complex employment litigation and provides day-to-day counsel on workplace compliance and risk management.

She works with businesses of all sizes, as well as individual supervisors, to defend against claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower actions, wage and hour violations, restrictive covenants, and trade secrets. Missy also handles high-stakes matters involving constitutional claims, ERISA litigation, and shareholder or LLC member disputes. Her experience spans federal and state courts, including trial, appellate, and administrative proceedings.

Missy has successfully tried cases to jury verdict, argued before North Carolina appellate courts and the Fourth Circuit, and regularly represents clients before the EEOC, NLRB, and other state and federal agencies. In her counseling practice, she advises on issues related to hiring, termination, leave management, wage and hour compliance, and employee policies. She frequently drafts and reviews employment agreements, handbooks, severance packages, and independent contractor arrangements, and supports clients in business formation, due diligence, and corporate transactions.

Honors & Recognition

• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^® for Litigation - Labor & Employment (2024-2026) and Litigation - Banking and Finance (2025-2026)
• Legal Elite, Employment Law, Business North Carolina (2008, 2011-2014, 2019, 2022, 2024-2025)
• Legal Elite "North Carolina Women Lawyers", Business North Carolina (2014, 2019)
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent^® (2018- Present)
• North Carolina Super Lawyers^® (2021-2023)
• North Carolina Rising Stars^®  honoree (2012-2014)
• The Employment Lawyers National Employment Law Directory’s recommended North Carolina employment law attorney, 2022
• Premier Employment Lawyers, exclusive representative attorney for the Asheville/Western North Carolina area, 2019-present

About Me

Missy enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, their Goldendoodle, Ziggy, and their cat, Biscuit. She also enjoys spending time with friends and extended family, practicing yoga, reading, and is an avid (some would say relentless) traveler.

Representative Matters

• Strickland v. United States of America et al., Obtained dismissal on Rule 12(b) motions of individual capacity claims against the Federal Defender for the Western District of North Carolina (2020), Affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4^th Circuit, (2022).
• Davis v. Macon County Board of Education, 178 N.C.App. 646 (2006). Obtained judgment in favor of School Board related to termination of probationary teacher, which judgment was affirmed by the North Carolina Court of Appeals.
• Obtained jury verdict in favor of employer and individual supervisor for nationally-recognized non-profit organization on claims of discrimination, retaliation, and related state-law claims after several week trial.

Education

Wake Forest University School of Law

• J.D., 2001
• Wake Forest Moot Court Board
• Wake Forest Student Trial Bar (Vice President)
• ATLA National Trial Team
• Student Bar Association (Secretary, 3L Year)
• Venice Campus Program (Summer 1999)

Sewanee: The University of the South

• B.A., American Studies, with Honors, 1997
• Philosophy Minor
• Sewanee Angel Team
• European Studies

News

Events

Professional

• American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
• North Carolina State Bar
• North Carolina Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
  • Membership Committee (2022)
• Buncombe County Bar (2013-Present)
• Mecklenburg County Bar (2001-2013)
• Association of Workplace Investigators
• NC Dispute Resolution Commission Certified Superior Court Mediator