Charles A. Powell IV

Alabama

Littler Mendelson P.C.
420 20th Street North
Suite 2300
Birmingham, AL 35203

Tel: (205) 421-4703

Email: cpowell@littler.com
Web: www.littler.com

Professional Biography

Charles A. Powell has represented employers throughout the Southeast against employment discrimination and harassment, non-competition and wage and hour litigation lawsuits for more than 30 years. He has a strong record of successfully defending employers against various employment and labor law claims, including:

  • A retail chain in a jury trial involving allegations of  sexual harassment and state law tort claims
  • A hospital in a jury trial over claims of racially discriminatory promotion, discharge and retaliation
  • A manufacturing client in a discriminatory discharge jury trial
  • A hotel and restaurant in a trial involving allegations of disability discrimination
  • A mobile home manufacturer in contentious trials involving race, gender and national origin discrimination claims
  • A retail client in unfair labor practice trials

Charles also has particular experience with:

  • Title VII
  • The Age Discrimination in Employment Act
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act
  • The Family and Medical Leave Act
  • The Equal Pay Act
  • The Fair Labor Standards Act
  • Section 1981
  • State law tort claims

He also successfully defeated class certification efforts in a racial harassment case filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and has experience litigating wage and hour collective claims involving misclassification and off-the-clock issues.

Additionally, Charles offers counseling on compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws to numerous types of employers, ranging from small businesses to publicly held companies.

Honors, Awards & Recognition

  • Named, The Best Lawyers in America®, 2010-2025
  • Named, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Birmingham, The Best Lawyers in America®, 2022
  • Named, Lawyer of the Year, Labor Law – Management, Birmingham, The Best Lawyers in America®, 2018
  • Fellow, College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Inducted 2017
  • Named, International Who’s Who of Management Labour and Employment Lawyers, Who’s Who Legal, 2015
  • Named, Management Labour and Employment, Who’s Who Legal, 2011-2015, 2024
  • Ranked, Labor & Employment, Chambers USA, 2008-2013, 2015-2024
  • Named, Super Lawyer, Alabama, Super Lawyers, 2008 and 2013-2015
  • Awarded, AV® Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
  • Named, Outstanding Professional Advisor, Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, 2006

About Littler Mendelson P.C.

At Littler, our unparalleled commitment to labor and employment law helps our clients navigate a complex business world with nuanced legal issues – building better solutions for their toughest challenges.

How do we do it? By harnessing our deep experience and expansive resources that are local everywhere. By recruiting a diverse team of the brightest minds and fostering a culture that celebrates original thinking. By disrupting the status quo with bold, groundbreaking innovation – all in service to our clients. Because at Littler, we’re fueled by ingenuity and inspired by you.

With a singular focus on labor and employment law, our team is better equipped to serve your business. Why? Because our experience is vast and our knowledge is deep. For more than 80 years, we’ve focused exclusively on labor and employment law. But we realize it’s not enough to know just the law – we have to know your business, too. By understanding your challenges and opportunities, we can tackle everything from simple questions to complex litigation needs with the same rigor and nuanced approach. And, we can respond to each of your questions – not just with an answer, but with your answer.

At Littler, unconventional thinking is our norm. We listen to our clients’ issues and respond with bold answers that not only address their needs but help shape the industry. So whether you’re a CLO facing compliance challenges in the financial services field or a higher education Human Resources leader with employee benefits questions; whether you’re a GC dealing with wage and hour issues in the retail space or a business leader of an energy company who needs help navigating international employment law – you’ve come to the right place.

“Charles Powell is renowned for his work on contentious labor and employment matters, including discrimination, retaliation and wage and hour cases.”
Chambers & Partners