Ryan is passionate about helping clients resolve employment and professional liability matters. He enjoys building lasting relationships with his clients and employs a proactive approach that seeks to minimize risk before litigation arises. When litigation is unavoidable, Ryan is skilled in representing clients before state and federal administrative agencies, state courts, federal courts, appellate courts, and professional administrative or licensing boards.
Ryan has litigated numerous cases as lead counsel to favorable* jury verdicts and appellate decisions in North Carolina. 20 years of experience has sharpened Ryan’s litigation and counseling skills. His experience and results are described below.
Defense of Employers
Ryan’s employment practice includes representation of companies and human resource managers against claims of wrongful termination, retaliation, alleged violations of Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA, and REDA (other claims under EPLI policies). He also drafts, revises, and advises clients on issues related to non-competes, non-solicitation, and severance agreements. Ryan has been successful* in obtaining favorable results for clients in administrative hearings before the EEOC, Employment Security Commission (now the Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security), the Department of Labor, and Office of Administrative Hearings. In addition to representing clients in litigation, Ryan assists human resources professionals in companies, colleges, and municipalities with handling discipline, termination, and other various employment issues by focusing on proactive measures that organizations can put in place to resolve conflicts and potential claims before costly litigation arises.
Defense of Professionals
Ryan also defends licensed professionals (accountants, appraisers, attorneys, chiropractors, collection agencies, dentists, insurance agents/brokers, and real estate agents/brokers) against claims of professional negligence and malpractice made by former clients in all North Carolina Courts and before professional licensing or administrative boards such as North Carolina State Bar, North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners, North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners, North Carolina Real Estate Commission, North Carolina Appraisal Board, and the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners. While defending these professionals, Ryan assists them with handling the personal difficulties and frustrations that arise from these claims.
Defense of Municipalities
Ryan has extensive experience in representing municipalities in employment matters and also in litigation related to ordinances and land use issues. He is experienced in working with municipal officials, board members, and their local counsel in resolving or litigating issues if necessary.
Articles, Presentations, and Publications
•Author of Cranfill Sumner LLP’s Employment Law Toolkit ( 2024), a repository of foundational information and resources on the stages of employment: pre-hiring, the employment relationship, termination of the employment relationship and beyond
•Led a webinar for PLAN entitled “Admissibility of Licensing Board Decisions in Related (or Unrelated) Civil Actions”, October 28, 2021
•“Considerations for Pre-Suite Resolution of Professional Liability Claims”, April 2020, For the Defense
•Presented “Oops! Now What? Managing Claims Repair and Protecting a Client’s Reputation” at the Defense Research Institute (DRI) Professional Liability Conference in New York City on December 5, 2019
•Presented “Put into Practice: Risk Management Tips for Attorneys” at the Lawyers’ Mutual Insurance Company’s Annual Roadshow in Clemmons (October 29, 2019), Asheville (October 30, 2019), Greensboro (October 31, 2019), and Concord (November 22, 2019)
•Presented “Changing Interpretation of the ‘Legitimate Non-Discriminatory Reasons’ for Termination in Employment Law” at the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys Fall Conference in Greensboro on October 4, 2019
•Presented “Human Resources Law: What You Need to Know Now (Discrimination & Harassment)” on behalf of National Business Institute in Charlotte on September 24, 2019
•Presented “Shifting Landscapes: Adapting Your Firm To Emerging Threats” on behalf of E&O carrier CNA to attorney insureds in Charlotte on August 27, 2019
•Presentation for CEU Institute 8/2017: “Ahead of the Curve: Ethical Risk Management for Lawyers”
•Presentation for Counsel on Litigation Management entitled “Introduction to Legal Malpractice,” June 8, Charlotte, NC
•Bar Grievance? Malpractice Claim? 8 Actions to Help Weather the Storm, March 24, 2015, LinkedIn
•What Professionals Can Learn from National Championship Coaches’ Post-Game Comments, April 16, 2015, LinkedIn
•Presentation for CEU Institute 8/2015: “Competitive Edge: Law Practice Risk Management/Conflict of Interest”
•“Civil Conspiracy: Lawyers’ Vicarious Liability for Clients’ Torts,” January 2011, For The Defense
•“Consequences of Employees Use of Social Networking Sites that Every Employer Should Consider” - Catawba Valley SHRM and City of Newton, 2009
•“Revisions to the Americans with Disabilities Act effective January 1, 2009,” North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys Employment Law Seminar, 2009
•“North Carolina Retaliatory Discharge Act,” Risk and Insurance Management Society seminar presentation, 2008
Accomplishments
•Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants (2026)
•Selected for inclusion in North Carolina Super Lawyers in the fields of Professional Liability, Defense (2025); Employment and Labor (2026)
•Selected for inclusion in Business North Carolina Legal Elite - Litigation (2024)
•Named in North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Leaders in Law Class of 2023
•Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated
Most Recent Posts
News
Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Listed Among NC Lawyers Weekly Legal 250
Four attorneys at Cranfill Sumner LLP have been listed among the North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Legal 250....
News
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Honored at ALM’s Southeastern Legal Awards; Firm Recognized as Best Legal Innovation Finalist
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that attorneys Vince Eisinger and Chad Rhoades have been selected as winners of the Southeastern Legal Awards’ “On the Rise in North Carolina” category. In addition, the firm has been named a finalist for “Best Legal Innovation” for its forward-thinking CEO leadership structure. Winners will be honored at the awards ceremony on May 7 at The Whitley in Atlanta....
News
17 Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Named to 2026 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP announced that 17 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2026 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....
News
Cranfill Sumner LLP Names Dominic Totman Chair of Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Dominic Totman has been named Chair of the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group....
News
Christopher Blake Joins Cranfill Sumner LLP
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Christopher Blake has joined the firm’s Raleigh office as Of Counsel. Chris brings more than four decades of courtroom experience to the firm and will continue to focus his practice on business and insurance litigation....
News
Steven Bader Admitted to Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
Steven Bader, a Partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP, has been admitted into membership of the prestigious Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel....
News
Dominic Totman Named Partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Dominic Totman has been named a partner at the firm....
News
Cranfill Sumner LLP Announces Executive Committee
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced the formation of its Executive Committee, a milestone in the firm’s ongoing strategic evolution and long-term governance vision. This development follows the firm’s recent appointment of its first Chief Executive Officer....
News
33 CSH Law Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2026
Thirty-three attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2026....
News
Cranfill Sumner Hosts 2025 Employment Law Webinar
On Feb. 26, Cranfill Sumner LLP hosted its 2025 Employment Law Panel webinar....
News
21 Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Named to 2025 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP announced that 21 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2025 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....
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Our Top 10 Resources of 2024
Throughout the year, the attorneys at Cranfill Sumner LLP strive to provide the public with the latest updates on North...
Result
Bader, Bolick and Worthy Win at North Carolina Supreme Court
In Canteen v. CMCU, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled that businesses may amend their consumer contracts to require arbitration,...
News
Attorneys Lead Webinar Discussing Gender Identity Workplace Accommodations
Ryan Bolick and Kayla McDaniel recently hosted the “Gender Identity & Accommodations In the Workplace” webinar through PLAN....
News
Cranfill Sumner LLP Hosts 2024 Employment Law Panel Webinar
Cranfill Sumner LLP today hosted its 2024 Employment Law Panel as part of its ongoing webinar series....
News
Cranfill Sumner LLP Launches Employment Law Toolkit
Cranfill Sumner LLP today launched a new resource hub designed to assist individuals and businesses at every stage of the employment process....
News
Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Listed Among 2024 Legal Elite
Twelve Cranfill Sumner LLP attorneys were recognized by Business North Carolina magazine as part of the magazine’s Legal Elite program. ...
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Employment Relationship: Reasonable Accommodations
What is a reasonable accommodation under the ADA? The ADA goes beyond most other anti-discrimination statutes. In addition to prohibiting...
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Employment Relationship: The ADA - Disability Under the ADA
Who is considered disabled under the ADA? There are three definitions of an “individual with a disability” under the ADA:...
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Employment Relationship: The ADA - What Is the ADA?
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity...
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Employment Relationship: The ADEA
What is the Age Discrimination and Employment Act (ADEA)? Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. 621-634...
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Employment Relationship: The EEOC
What is the EEOC, and what can it do? The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is a federal agency charged with...
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Employment Relationship: North Carolina Equal Employment Practices Act (NCEEPA)
What is the North Carolina Equal Employment Practices Act (NCEEPA), and can an employer be sued for breaching it? NCEEPA...
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Employment Relationship: Title VII - Other Federal Statues that Prohibit Racial Discrimination in Employment
Is Title VII the only federal statute that prohibits racial discrimination in employment? No. 1981 of the 1866 Civil...
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Employment Relationship: Title VII - Remedies/Damages Available
What remedies/damages are available in a Title VII lawsuit? Plaintiffs have a right to jury trials under Title VII, and...
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Employment Relationship: Title VII - Best Defense to Employment Discrimination Claim
What is the best defense to an employment discrimination claim? If the employer can provide a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for...
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Employment Relationship: Title VII - When Is an Employer Liable?
When is an employer liable for harassment under Title VII? As long as the discrimination did not culminate in some...
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Employment Relationship: Title VII - General Claims Employees Can Make Against Employers
Discrimination This type of action refers to an employer treating an employee differently because an employee is in a protected...
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Employment Relationship: Title VII - What Does It Prohibit?
Title VII prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The following are explanations of these protected...
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Employment Relationship: Adverse Action
What is an adverse employment action, and why does it matter? An employee typically needs to demonstrate that they experienced...
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Employment Relationship: Title VII - What Is It?
What is Title VII, and when can it be used as the basis for a lawsuit? Title VII of the...
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Pre-Hiring Issues: Making an Offer
Does a new hire require an employment contract? Written employment contracts are not required but make sense in certain situations....
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Pre-Hiring Issues: Interview Questions
How can an employer avoid asking questions that may be unlawful and lead to a failure to hire claim? Specific...
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Pre-Hiring Issues: Drug Testing
May an employer drug test applicants? Yes. However, an employer must follow the Controlled Substance Examination Regulation Act requirements, N.C.G.S....
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Pre-Hiring Issues: Running A Credit Check
May an employer run a credit check to evaluate applicants? Yes, however, the EEOC views a credit check of all...
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Pre-Hiring Issues: Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
What does the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)have to do with an employer’s evaluation of an applicant? Generally speaking, the...
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Pre-Hiring Issues: Screening Candidates Using Social Media
May an employer screen an applicant using social media? Yes, but there are risks that cause some to view this...
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Pre-Hiring Issues: Job Applications As Protection for Employer
How does an employer’s job application help protect the employer from lawsuits? An employer’s job application can be used as...
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Pre-Hiring Issues: Inquiring About Criminal Record
Can an application ask whether an applicant has been arrested? How about convicted? Applications should not ask whether an applicant...
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Pre-Hiring Issues: Are Job Descriptions Necessary?
Are job descriptions necessary? No, but they are recommended. Here are some good reasons for creating and maintaining accurate job...
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Pre-Hiring Issues: Applicant Screening Process
How and why should an employer consider creating a uniform applicant screening process? Documentation of a uniform applicant screening process...
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Pre-Hiring Issues: Failure to Hire
Pre-Hiring Issues In the not-so-distant past, applicants were happy to get an interview and disappointed if not offered a job....
News
Ryan Bolick Honored with 2023 Leaders in the Law Award
Ryan Bolick was recently honored as a member of the North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Leaders in the Law Class of 2023. North Carolina Lawyers Weekly presents this peer-nominated award annually to honor legal professionals licensed and practicing law in the state of North Carolina who have gone above and beyond in their profession and their community. These honorees represent the most influential individuals within the state’s legal community....
News
Cranfill Sumner Webinar Series Features Employment Law Panel
On Feb. 16, Cranfill Sumner LLP hosted an Employment Law Panel as part of its webinar series. The panel featured Benton Toups, Ryan Bolick, Vince Eisinger, and Georgia Malik....
News
Ryan Bolick to Serve on Lawyers Mutual Community Board
Ryan Bolick, a Partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP, has been appointed to serve on the Lawyers Mutual Charlotte Community Board. His term began January 2022 and continues through December 2025....
News
Ryan Bolick Named to Cranfill Sumner LLP Management Committee
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Ryan Bolick has been named to serve on the firm’s Management Committee....
News
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Present PLAN Webinar
Ryan Bolick and Melody Jolly presented the Nov. 8 webinar “The Best Legal Malpractice Defense is a Good Offense: Strategies for Success in the ‘Case Within a Case,’ an Often-overlooked Prerequisite to Legal Malpractice Liability.”...
News
Ryan Bolick Certified as Superior Court Mediator
Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Ryan Bolick recently completed training for Mediator Certification and is now a Certified Superior Court Mediator with the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission....
News
CSH Law Attorneys Lead PLAN Webinar
Ryan Bolick and Melody Jolly led the Oct. 28 PLAN webinar “Admissibility of Licensing Board Decisions in Related (or Unrelated) Civil Actions.”...
News
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Volunteer for Legal Aid Eviction Project
In May 2020, Legal Aid of North Carolina launched an effort to help North Carolinians who were struggling to pay rent and were facing eviction. Legal Aid paired available emergency financial support with a search for volunteer attorneys from across the state who could help negotiate past and future payments with landlords....
News
Ryan Bolick Featured in For the Defense
Ryan Bolick, a Partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner), was featured in the April edition of For the Defense. Ryan’s article, “Considerations for Pre-Suit Resolution of Professional Liability Claims,” examines creative ways to handle professional liability claims while avoiding lawsuits and protecting a client’s reputation. Ryan presented this topic along with Roseanne DeBellis of Great American Insurance Company and Mark Scruggs of NC Lawyers Mutual, at the DRI Professional Liability Conference in NYC in December 2019. ...
News
Melody Jolly and Ryan Bolick Participate in DRI Professional Liability Conference
Melody Jolly and Ryan Bolick participated in the recent DRI 2019 Professional Liability Conference which was held in New York City. ...
News
Ryan Bolick Presents at Risk Management CLE Series
Ryan Bolick served as a featured speaker in a CLE event sponsored by Lawyers’ Mutual. Ryan presented on a panel presentation entitled “This Case is Killing Me,” addressing the stresses of representing difficult clients and how to prevent those cases from evolving into a legal malpractice claim....
News
Ryan Bolick Speaks at NBI Human Resources Law Seminar
Ryan Bolick spoke at the recent “Human Resource Law: What You Need to Know Now” seminar which was presented by the National Business Institute on Nov. 13....
Result
Ryan Bolick and Meredith FitzGibbon Hamilton Obtained Summary Judgment
Ryan Bolick (Charlotte) and Meredith Fitzgibbon Hamilton (Charlotte) obtained summary judgment in the employer’s favor dismissing claims of age discrimination...
News
Cranfill Sumner Charlotte Hosts Delegation from U.S. State Department International Visitor Leadership Program
Cranfill Sumner LLP’s (Cranfill Sumner) Charlotte office hosted a delegation of 27 attorneys from the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on March 19. The IVLP is a short-term, international exchange program for professionals that provides nearly 5,000 professionals each year with the opportunity to learn from their colleagues in a specific field in the United States....
News
Ryan Bolick Appointed Chair of MCB Grievance Committee
Ryan Bolick was recently appointed Chair of the Mecklenburg County Bar Grievance Committee. His three-year term began in July 2018....
News
Ryan Bolick Appointed to Lake Norman SHRM Board
Ryan Bolick, Vice Chair of the Professional Liability Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently appointed to serve on the board of directors of the Lake Norman Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)....
News
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Participate in 4ALL Statewide Service Day
Eight attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) participated in the North Carolina Bar Association’s 9th Annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day on Friday, March 4. The statewide event is sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association Foundation and the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA)....
Result
Cranfill Sumner Defends Appeal on Behalf of Municipality
Cranfill Sumneryers prevail in appeal on case in which two subcontractors died while working on a water line project owned by a municipality. Summary judgment was granted in favor of the municipality in the Superior Court case....
Result
Bolick Prevails on State Personnel Act Claim
Ryan Bolick obtained summary judgment in a State Personnel Act claim arising out of an alleged wrongful termination and breach of contract. ...
Result
Bolick Successfully Defends Appeal for Corporate Defendant
Bolick Successfully Defends Appeal for Corporate Defendant...
Result
Bolick Wins Summary Judgment for County Facing Claims of Sexual Harassment & Wrongful Termination
Ryan Bolick obtained summary judgment on behalf of a county in the Middle District of North Carolina dismissing Plaintiff’s Title VII claims for sexual harassment and state claims of wrongful termination, intentional infliction of emotional distress....
News
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Participate in 4ALL Statewide Service Day
Eleven attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) participated in the North Carolina Bar Association’s 8th Annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day on Friday, March 6. ...
News
Ryan Bolick Appointed to MCB Grievance Committee
Ryan Bolick, Vice-Chair of the Professional Liability Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently appointed to serve on the Grievance & Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee of the Mecklenburg County Bar....
Result
Bolick Obtains Dismissal of Complaint for Dentist Facing Malpractice
Ryan Bolick obtained a dismissal of a Board complaint against client dentist before the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners. Complainant alleged that client dentist failed to provide proper follow up care and instructions....
Result
Bolick Obtains Pretrial Dismissal for Attorney Facing Malpractice Claim
Ryan Bolick obtained a pretrial voluntary dismissal from Plaintiff Title Insurance Company for claims of legal malpractice against client attorney. Mr. Bolick discovered that the co-Defendant borrower had attempted to commit fraud by providing a loan number to her closing attorney that did not correspond to the property she was refinancing....
Result
Bolick Obtains Dismissal of Claim Against Chiropractor Facing Malpractice
Ryan Bolick obtained dismissal of a complaint against client chiropractor before the Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Complainant alleged client chiropractor had injured her. ...
Result
Bolick Defends College Facing Claims of Sexual Harassment
Ryan Bolick obtained summary judgment on behalf of a college in the Middle District of North Carolina dismissing Plaintiff’s Title VII claims of sexual harassment. Plaintiff alleged that certain actions of her supervisor, including winking and leaning over her desk created a hostile work environment....
Result
Bolick Wins Summary Judgment for County Board of Elections
Ryan Bolick obtained summary judgment on behalf of a County Board of Elections in the Eastern District of North Carolina as to all Plaintiff’s claims under Title VII for failure to promote based on alleged discrimination of race, gender and retaliation....
Result
Bolick and Lyons Successfully Defend Municipality and Board of Elections
Ryan Bolick and Janelle Lyons obtained dismissal of all plaintiff’s claims for discrimination against a municipality and its Board of Elections in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of N.C....
Result
Bolick Prevails on Summary Judgment for Housing Authority Facing Various Employment Related Claims
Ryan Bolick obtained summary judgment on behalf of a housing authority in the Western District of North Carolina dismissing Plaintiff’s Title VII claims of racial discrimination, and state law claims under the Retaliatory Discharge Act and negligent hiring and retention....
