Butler Snow attorney Melissa F. Spence was recently named Chair of the Employment and Labor Law Section of the South Carolina Bar. Spence began her term on July 1 and will serve as Chair from 2025-2026.
The South Carolina Bar Employment and Labor Law Section is a forum for all segments of the employment bar to review and comment on regulatory policy and procedure, as well as legislative initiatives.
Melissa F. Spence
Spence is a member of Butler Snow's Labor and Employment group, with experience in a wide range of industries. She regularly counsels clients on compliance issues and represents employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission, and in both state and federal court against lawsuits arising under Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA and the FLSA.
Since 2024, BL Rankings, The Best Lawyers in America® has recognized Spence for her exemplary work in Labor and Employment Law – Management and the Litigation category for Labor and Employment. She was also recognized as a member of Charleston Business Magazine's Legal Elite in 2023 and 2024. Spence was previously recognized by Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers® in South Carolina as a Rising Star in Employment Litigation and honored for her commitment to the Charleston community with inclusion in the Charleston Regional Business Journal's 'Forty Under 40' list in 2020. She is also a graduate of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Leadership Charleston Class of 2019.
In her spare time, Spence serves on the Board of Directors of the Palmetto Society for Human Resource Management and Charleston Legal Access. Additionally, Spence is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel, South Carolina Women Lawyers Association, South Carolina Bar Association, Federal Bar Association and Charleston County Bar Association. Spence earned her bachelor's degree from Wofford College and her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Charleston School of Law.