Overview
Michelle represents employers in employment litigation, appellate matters, and complex civil disputes.
With extensive experience in both public service and private practice, Michelle counsels clients on workplace issues, discrimination claims, and litigation strategy. Her practice includes representing employers in federal and state court, with an emphasis on employment law, estate-related litigation, and appellate advocacy. Clients rely on her thoughtful approach and deep understanding of the judicial system at all levels.
Michelle has handled a wide range of matters, including federal discrimination cases, personal injury cases, and appeals. She guides clients through all stages of litigation and offers strategic insight for navigating complex procedural and substantive issues. Her background includes key roles within North Carolina’s appellate courts, which inform her ability to craft compelling legal arguments and support long-term litigation strategy.
Michelle began her legal career clerking for Judge Harry C. Martin at the North Carolina Court of Appeals before joining the North Carolina Supreme Court, where she served as a research assistant and later Director of Research for Justice Louis Meyer. She also served as Executive Director of the Governor’s Crime Commission.
A leader in the legal community, Michelle has chaired the General Practice Section of the North Carolina Bar Association and served on its Board of Governors. She has also contributed to the profession through her work on the editorial board of the North Carolina State Bar Journal and through numerous published profiles of federal and state court judges.
Honors & Recognition
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Litigation - Labor & Employment (2023-2026)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence
- Inducted by the Supreme Court of North Carolina into the 2021 North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society
About Me
Michelle has inherited a love for all types of mystery novels from her mother who wrote mysteries for the Doubleday Crime Club. She loves to travel to Europe and sail in the Caribbean. She is also the owner of an English Springer Spaniel who is trained as a therapy dog and participates in a reading program at a local school.
Credentials
Education
North Carolina Central University School of Law
- J.D., 1981
North Carolina State University
- M.A., English, 1976
Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- B.Ed., 1966
- B.A., English 1965
Media
News
Professional & Civic Associations
Civic
- American Red Cross Society Board of Directors (2006-2009)
- Asheville Buncombe Christian Community Ministry
- Personnel Committee (1995-present)
- Chair (2009-2014)
Professional
- 28th Judicial District Bar
- Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Board Member (1995-2019)
- Volunteer of the Year Award 2019
- Asheville Humane Society, Chair (2002-2003)
- Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism (2006-2009)
- North Carolina Bar Association
- Board of Governors (1995-1998)
- Dispute Resolution Section Council (2008-2015)
- General Practice Section (1981-1995) Chair (1993)
- University of North Carolina - Asheville, Adjunct Professor, Business Management (2007–2015)
Admissions
- North Carolina, 1981
- U.S. Federal Court of the District of North Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
"I could not ask for a better vocation than helping businesses avoid legal difficulties and working with them when things go wrong."
Michelle Rippon
