Sean M. Phelan

Sean M. Phelan practices in the areas of banking and finance, commercial real estate, corporate law, telecommunications, and workers' compensation litigation.

Mr. Phelan received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with highest honors. Mr. Phelan is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and a recipient of the John Motley Morehead Scholarship at the University of North Carolina.

He received his law degree and masters in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he served on the Editorial Staff of The North Carolina Journal of International Law and Commercial Regulation.

Mr. Phelan serves on the Firm's Board of Directors.  He is active in the North Carolina Bar Association and currently serves as Chair of the Commercial Committee for the Real Property Section of that organization.  He has also been involved in various civic organizations including coaching youth sports and leading property owners' associations. 

• Handling of real estate, asset based and SBA loans for local and national lenders.
• Acquisition and development of commercial, residential, condominium and mixed-use projects.
• Commercial lease negotiations for office and retail uses, and lease workouts.
• Telecommunication site approval, zoning and leasing.

• Nexsen Pruet Moves into New Space in Charlotte
  The firm’s new offices will be located on the 15th floor of the Carillon Building. That’s on the corner of Trade and Poplar Streets.
• "Nexsen Pruet makes uptown office move"
  The Friday, April 23rd edition of the Charlotte Business Journal features an article entitled "Nexsen Pruet makes uptown office move."
• Nexsen Pruet Creates Distressed Property and Workout Practice Group
  The new group will provide clients with resources, skills and experience to help navigate issues that emerge during periods of economic and financial uncertainty.
• Americans with Disabilities Act UPDATE - Employment Law Briefing Covers Recent Developments
  Employers constantly struggle with how to apply important ADA requirements to day-to-day issues that arise in the workplace. Please join us for a free breakfast briefing for employers about recent developments under the ADA.

• To Pay or Not to Pay? The Test for the Unpaid Intern
  As the end of another academic year approaches, college students across the country are seeking summer employment opportunities.
• FMLA's Twentieth Birthday
  On February 5, 2013, the Family and Medical Leave Act turned 20 years old. Coinciding with this milestone, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued a new final rule, which codifies further additions and revi­sions to the FMLA. This newsletter highlights some of the changes.
• New I-9 Form Shows More Changes May be in Store for Employers
  On March 8, 2013, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a new two-page version of Form I-9, together with six pages of instructions. This article explains some of the notable features of the revised Form I-9.
• Update: Noncompete Agreements in SC are Worth More Than the Paper They're Written On
  In light of the restrictive nature with which South Carolina courts have historically viewed noncompetition agreements, many people assume they are not enforceable and, in essence, “not worth the paper they’re written on.” However, in January of this year, the South Carolina Court of Appeals upheld a physician’s noncompetition agreement and expanded the scope of enforceable noncompetition agreements in this state.
• Employment Law Update: U.S. Supreme Court Set to Define "Supervisor" for Purposes of Title VII
  The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a case that could have a significant impact on employer liability. Specifically, as the result of an appeal in Vance v. Ball State University, et al, 646 F.3d 461 (7th Cir. 2011), the Court is poised to decide who qualifies as a “supervisor” for purposes of liability under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
• Employment Law Update: Recent Cases Address Employer Efforts to Protect Confidential Information
  In recent months, both the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over federal cases in North and South Carolina, and the South Carolina Supreme Court have addressed the issue of protecting trade secrets and confidential information.
• Employment Law - Business Immigration Update
  Over the past few months, there have been several immigration developments that could have a significant impact on businesses in North and South Carolina. This update summarizes the key developments for employers.
• Employment Law Update - Employers Beware: NLRB Challenges Established HR Practices
  The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued a number of recent opinions questioning and, in some instances, invalidating common employer practices and policies on the grounds of protecting employee rights under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The impact of these decisions on handbook disclaimers and investigative procedures is addressed below.
• Employment Law Update - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Upcoming Deadlines Require Employer Action
  After months of anticipation and seemingly endless public debate, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision upholding the key individual mandate provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). While the significance of the decision cannot be overestimated, the real import is its practical effect on employers.
• New Rule Makes “Reasonable Factors Other Than Age” Defense More Difficult for Employers
  On March 29, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a final rule making it more difficult for employers to establish a “reasonable factor other than age” defense for disparate impact claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
• Recent Guidelines for Employers of Active Duty & Veteran Service Members
  The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued timely and relevant guidance for employers addressing protections afforded veterans under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Keep Your Ears Peeled: Employment Law Update on the FLSA's "Anti-retaliation" Provision
  In this issue we describe and discuss a recent federal appeals court decision concluding that internal complaints about pay may be protected by the FLSA’s anti-retaliation provision.
• Employment Law Update: Romance in the Workplace: You, Me and our Employer?
  As Valentine's Day approaches, here are some interesting facts for employers to consider.
• Recent Ruling that Class Action Waivers are Illegal Shows NLRB Remains Active
  On January 3, 2012, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled that a class action waiver in a mandatory employment arbitration agreement is illegal.
• I-9 Compliance: Avoiding Traps of New Federal Security Features
  A redesigned federal document is leading to confusion as businesses try to comply with the I-9 requirement.
• Employment Law Update - January 2012
  As employers plan for 2012, the inherent risk posed by departing employees presents an opportunity to reevaluate measures used to protect confidential information and trade secrets from the high cost of misappropriation.
• NLRB Delays Requirement for Employers to Post Pro-Union Notice
  On August 25, 2011, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued regulations requiring virtually all employers to post a large notice to employees informing them of rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), particularly their right to unionize. Employers must post the notice beginning April 30th, 2012.
• Employment Law Update - December 2011
  The EEOC is processing a record number of charges and collecting record settlement amounts. It is pursuing an aggressive systemic enforcement program and focusing on hiring issues. In this edition we discuss what the EEOC is doing and some of the implications for employers.
• 2011 Employment and Labor Law - Final Exam Answer Key
  Last week's final exam generated tremendous response from Nexsen Pruet clients and friends. Congratulations to our winners.
• 2011 Employment and Labor Law - Final Exam
  It's time to test your knowledge of the current state of employment and labor law.
• Pro-Union NLRB Presents Challenges to Employers: Employment Law Update - October 2011
  Recent pro-union decisions and proposed rules by the NLRB pose challenges for employers.
• Wrongful Discharge Claims Limit Employment At-Will Doctrine in North and South Carolina: Employment Law Update - September 2011 Supplemental
  Employment in North and South Carolina is at-will, which generally means an employer can terminate an employee at any time without notice. However, both states have long-recognized exceptions to the employment-at-will doctrine, including provisions that an employee cannot be discharged for reasons that contravene the “public policy” of the state.
• Employment Law Update - August 2011 Supplemental
  This edition is about a United States Supreme Court decision that illustrates the importance of using clear wording when drafting employee invention assignment agreements.
• Employment Law Update - July 2011
  Employers are increasingly disciplining workers over misuse of social media. At issue in so-called “Facebook Firing” cases is whether terminating employees for making disparaging online posts, and having policies prohibiting such posts, violates federal labor law.
• Employment Law Update - June 2011
  This edition analyzes the EEOC's new final regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008.
• Employment Law Update - May 2009
  This edition explains why many employers are seeking privileged legal compliance reviews of their compensation practices and documentation in the aftermath of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

  A brief video update on immigration compliance developments is available by clicking here. Then, click on the video entitled "Immigration."

• Employment & Labor Law Desk Reference For The Carolinas
• Employment Law Update - June 2006
  Recent Decisions Highlight Importance Of Background Checks for Employers

• Quarterly Employment Law Breakfast Briefing - ADA Update - May 2006
• Quarterly Employment Law Breakfast Briefing - January 2006