Susan Milner Parrott

Susan Parrott has extensive experience in identifying and managing employment-related issues in mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations.  She is frequently called upon to develop and interpret employment, non-competition, confidentiality, and severance agreements.  In addition, she routinely advises clients on wage and hour matters, and assists in conducting internal compliance audits and responding to Department of Labor investigations.

Recognition

• The Best Lawyers in America®, Employment Law - Management (2025)
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation

Education

University of North Carolina and Vermont Law School, J.D., with honors, 1981

University of North Carolina, M.P.H., 1978

Duke University, B.A., with honors 1974

Bar & Court Admissions

• American Bar Association
• North Carolina Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section
• North Carolina Bar Association
  • Personnel Committee, Past Member
• North Carolina State Bar
  • Board of Continuing Legal Education, Past Member
• Wake County Bar Association
  • Professionalism Committee, Past Member
• Community Foundation
  • Wake County Advisory Board, Past Member
• White Memorial Presbyterian Church
  • Elder
    
    

• Served as lead employment lawyer in the representation of a publicly-traded specialty pharmaceutical company in its acquisition of a privately-traded specialty pharmaceutical company.
• Served as lead employment lawyer for numerous acquisitions by a multi-state, publicly-traded convenience store operator.
• Prepared executive employment agreement for the president and chief executive officer of a publicly-traded bank holding company.
• Responsible for executive employment agreements required for the succession of the chief executive officer of a publicly-traded, global manufacturer of consumable products.
• Successfully defended U.S. Department of Labor investigations of wage and hour exemption classification in various industries including banking, software, retail distributing, restaurant, civil engineering and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Successfully defended North Carolina Department of Labor investigation of wage payment practices for retail distributing company.
• Conducted internal audits of wage and hour and wage payment matters for clients in various industries, including banking, pharmaceutical manufacturing and sales, retail and internet/technology.
• Advised a multinational Fortune 500 provider of product development and integrated healthcare services on employment-related matters in its merger with a NYSE-listed global information and technology services company, creating a leading information and tech-enabled healthcare service provider. The equity market capitalization of the joined companies was more than $17.6 billion at closing.
• Advised a private equity fund on employment-related matters in connection with its acquisition, equity and debt financing of a reference laboratory.
• Advised a leading contract research organization on the employment law aspects of a definitive agreement to acquire a provider of contract research, clinical and regulatory and other consulting services.
• Advised a leading healthcare services provider on employment-related matters in connection with its $60 million cash acquisition of a global sourcing company.
• Advised a leading provider of pharmacy-based patient care solutions and medication synchronization services to independent and chain pharmacies on employment-related matters in its approximately $41 million sale of the company to a publicly-traded buyer.
• Advised a French multinational industrial and steel distributor on employment-related matters in connection with its acquisition of a controlling interest in a Virginia-based steel service center.
• Advised a frozen foods company on employment-related matters in connection with a definitive agreement to acquire a frozen snacks business.
• Appellate advocacy practice has included representation of clients before the North Carolina appellate courts, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States.