Partner

Amie Flowers Carmack
Amie Carmack – North Carolina Employment Lawyer – Labor and Workforce Attorney

Amie Carmack is a North Carolina employment and workforce lawyer who advises businesses and leadership teams on the legal, strategic, and operational issues that arise in managing workforces and workplace relationships. With more than 30 years of experience in workforce law and dispute resolution, she helps clients assess risk, make informed decisions, and implement practical strategies that support organizational goals while navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

Amie works closely with clients on a broad range of workforce matters, including employment agreements, restrictive covenants, compensation and benefits, workplace policies, internal investigations, executive and board-level issues, workforce compliance, and disputes involving employees, owners, and business partners. Her goal is to help clients identify and address issues early — and prevent future disputes through clear, compliant agreements, policies, and workforce strategies that support operational efficiency and successful outcomes.

Her approach is proactive and highly tailored to each client’s business, culture, and risk tolerance. Amie focuses on helping organizations identify and address issues early, develop clear and compliant agreements and policies, and implement strategies that support operational flexibility, efficient administration, and long-term stability.

Amie also advises clients on workforce-related issues arising in mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and other business transactions, including workforce due diligence, executive agreements, restrictive covenants, compensation matters, and transition-related workforce issues.

She represents clients across a broad range of industries, including professional services, technology, life sciences, healthcare, hospitality, financial services, education, performing arts, and real estate development.

Prior to joining Morningstar Law Group, Amie was an equity partner at an Am Law 50 firm and its North Carolina predecessor firm.

Amie is a member of The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, a fellowship of the most accomplished members of the labor and employment law community and has been recognized by Best Lawyers as “Lawyer of the Year” and by Business North Carolina Legal Elite as North Carolina’s top employment lawyer.

  • The College of Labor & Employment Lawyers (2024-present)
  • American Employment Law Council (2020 – present)
  • Best Lawyers: Employment Law – Management (2014-2027), Labor Law – Management (2025-2027), Labor Law – Union (2014-2027), Litigation – Labor and Employment (2021-2027); Lawyer of the Year – Labor Law (2016)
  • Business North Carolina Legal Elite: Hall of Fame Honoree, Top Employment Lawyer in North Carolina (2014), Permanently recognized as a North Carolina Legal Elite; Employment Law (2007-2014, 2022), Young Guns (2007-2008)
  • Business Leader Magazine: Triangle Impact Human Resources and Staffing Leader (2008)
  • North Carolina Bar Association: Young Lawyer of the Year (2005)
  • Super Lawyers (2007-2008, 2010-2025)
  • Super Lawyers: Top 50 Women Lawyer (2007, 2016-2019), Top 100 Lawyer North Carolina (2019)
  • North Carolina Lawyers Weekly: North Carolina Leader in the Law (2016)
  • Triangle Business Association: 40 under 40 Leadership Award (2005)
  • Assisted numerous clients in navigating local, state, national and international regulations related to employment, workers and workplace safety.
  • Drafted, reviewed and advised regarding thousands of workforce-related policies, procedures, and documentation.
  • Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated thousands of workforce-related agreements, including employment agreements; non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements; invention disclosure agreements; international assignment (ex-patriot) agreements; consultant and independent contractor agreements; management and administrative services agreements; and secondment agreements.
  • Drafted, reviewed and negotiated thousands of separation agreements and severance packages for departing employees, consultants and independent contractors.
  • Supported numerous business transactions with due diligence related to workforce-related documents, disclosures and issues.
  • Negotiated numerous PEO (Professional Employment Organization) contracts and relationships.
  • Conducted numerous internal investigations and advised Boards of Directors and Executives.
  • Coordinated services for inter-state and international workforce-related needs for a wide variety of clients.
  • Defense of FLSA overtime claims, including class claims filed in federal court.
  • A wide variety of agency procedures, including Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigations, Employment Security Commission unemployment determinations, Department of Labor inquiries, Occupational Safety and Health Act inspections, and others.
    Represented local, regional, and nation-wide companies in actions to enforce non-compete agreements, trade secrets and stock restriction agreements with departing employees, including state and federal courts in various states, and FINRA Dispute Resolution.
  • Represented companies in prosecution and defense of claims of corporate raiding of employees and misappropriation of confidential information and trade secrets in federal and state courts, and FINRA arbitration.
  • Defended hospital clients against a variety of employment claims, including without limitation wage and hour, FMLA, discrimination, and breach of contract claims.
  • Defended national hotel chains in discrimination lawsuits (race, disability, FMLA, retaliation claims) in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.
  • Represented health care technology company in defense of employment discrimination, disability accommodation, noncompete enforcement, and other lawsuits filed in state and federal courts in various states, including North Carolina, Georgia, Delaware, California, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
  • Defended international technology company in wrongful discharge lawsuit brought by former executive, resulting in settlement favorable to the client.
  • Defended fund manager in investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, resulting in settlement favorable to client.
  • Represented FINRA member firm in United States Department of Justice investigation of broker for misconduct related to customer accounts.
  • Defended broker in investigation of misconduct by the North Carolina Department of Insurance.

Amie is a frequent writer and presenter on employment law and workforce issues.

  • “2016 Wage and Hour Update.” (2016)
  • “Employee Leave as a required ADA Reasonable Accommodation.” (2016)
  • “2016 Human Resource Challenges for In-House Counsel.” (2016)
  • “Respectful Workplace Training for Employees.” (2015)
  • “EEO Compliance in the Workplace.” (2015)
  • “When a Regulator Shows Up on Your Doorstep.” (2014)
  • “Risk Avoidance: Background Checks.” (2014)
  • “Employee Training: Sensitivity – Harassment.” (2014)
  • “Corporate and Employment Law Developments.” (2014)
  • “Social Media in the Workplace.” (2012, 2013)
  • “Employment Relationship Update: Noncompete Agreements, Protecting Trade Secrets, and the Challenges of a Cross-Border Workforce.” (2012)
  • “Lessons from Recent Employment Law Cases.” (2012)
  • “Labor Rights in Your Non-Union Workforce.” (2012)
  • “Trends and Changes to State Law that May Impact the Way You do Business.” (2011)
  • “Fundamentals of Employment Law for Corporate Counsel.” (2011)
  • “Managing Risk in Employment Decisions: Utilizing Temporary, Agency-Provided and Contract Workers.” (2010)
  • “Managing Risk in Employment Decisions: Strategies Related to Social Networking, Electronic Information Policies, and Data Theft.” (2010)
  • “Managing Risk in Employment Decisions: Wage and Hour Challenges and Opportunities.” (2009)
  • “Changes and Challenges for Employers: Business Decisions under the new FMLA and ADA Regulations.” (2009)

Publications

  • “Training and Development: North Carolina.” xperthr.com (2012)
  • “Employee Discipline: North Carolina.” xperthr.com (2012)
  • “USERRA: North Carolina.” xperthr.com (2012)
  • “Other Leaves: North Carolina.” xperthr.com (2012)
  • “Involuntary Terminations: North Carolina.” xperthr.com (2012)
  • “Employment at Will Doctrine: North Carolina.” xperthr.com (2012)
  • “North Carolina Court Focuses on Clear Description of Customers for Enforcement of Non-Solicitation Clause.” (2010)
  • “Swine Flu or Other Pandemic Outbreak: Legal Issues for Employers.” (2009)
  • North Carolina State Bar (1995)
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
  • United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • American Employment Law Council (invitation only)
  • College of Labor and Employment Law (invitation only)
  • NC Bar Association (Employment Law Section (1999–present), Strategic Planning and Emerging Trends Committee (2007–2014), Young Lawyers Division, Lawyer Effectiveness and
  • Quality of Life Committee (Co-Chair, 2000–2004; Chair, 2004–2005))
  • National Alliance for Mental Health (NAMI) Wake County: Board of Directors, Vice President (2019–2022)
  • First Presbyterian Church, Raleigh: Counsel to the Personnel Committee (2016–2024), Personnel Committee member (2007–2016), Personnel Committee Chair (2014), Elder (2013–2016), Deacon (2007–2010), Adult Sunday School teacher (2002–2010), Confirmation Class Elder Leader and Confirmation Sponsor (2015–2016), All Church Retreat Planning Committee (2012–2016), FPC Serves volunteer (2000–2016)
  • The Trilogy School: Trilogy Association of Parents Board of Directors, Vice President (2014–2018)
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity: Law School Mentoring volunteer (2012–2014, 2016–2018)
  • Capital Associated Industries: Learning & Development Educator (2015–2020)
  • Raleigh Youth Mission: Family host for youth intern (2015)
  • NC Independent Colleges and Universities: Ethics Bowl Judge (2014–2015)
  • Leadership Raleigh: Class of 2005. Leadership Raleigh Alumni Association (2005–2016).
  • NC Citizens for Business and Industry: Legal Issues and Workplace Policies Committee (2004–2005)
  • High Point University: Adjunct Professor (1997–99)
  • Davidson County Community College: Adjunct Instructor (1995–96)
  • Clerkship: Hon. William L. Osteen, Sr., United States District Court, M.D.N.C., 1995-1996
A piece of advice
Treat every client, colleague, adversary and doorman you encounter as if you will be working alongside them every day for the rest of your career.
The Honorable William L. Osteen, Sr.