Charles A. Powell IV

Charles A. Powell IV is the office managing shareholder in Littler’s Birmingham office and represents employers in labor and employment law matters. His work covers discrimination and harassment claims, noncompetition disputes, and wage and hour litigation. He advises employers of different sizes, from smaller businesses to publicly held companies. Charles combines defense litigation with counseling on federal and state workplace rules, helping organizations address disputes and reduce legal exposure.

Charles received a B.A. from Vanderbilt University in 1987 and an M.P.A. from the University of Alabama in 1989. He earned a J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1992. His education in public administration and law supports his work with employers facing overlapping operational, regulatory, and litigation questions. He is admitted in Alabama and Florida and practices before multiple federal district and appellate courts.

Charles has represented employers for more than three decades in trials involving alleged sexual harassment, discriminatory employment decisions, retaliation, and unfair labor practices. His experience includes defending hospitals, retail businesses, manufacturers, and hospitality companies. He has also challenged class certification efforts in an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission case and handled collective wage and hour actions involving employee classification and timekeeping allegations.

Charles A. Powell IV participates in professional organizations and has served in American Bar Association labor and employment committees. His practice addresses statutes such as Title VII, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. He offers employers both litigation defense and ongoing advice on workplace policies, helping clients understand legal obligations and respond to employee-related disputes.

Law Office Affiliations

• Shareholder, Littler Mendelson P.C.
• Member, Alabama State Bar
• Member, The Florida Bar
• Co-chair, American Bar Association, CLE/ Institutes and Meetings Committee (2006-2009)
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation
• Member, American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
• Member, American Bar Association, Equal Employment Opportunity Committee
• Member, American Bar Association, Railway and Airline Labor Law Committee
• Member, American Bar Association, Employer Council (2009-2015)
• Member, American Bar Association, Practice and Procedure Under the NLRA Committee
• Member, American Bar Association, Employment Rights and Responsibilities Committee
• Member, Alabama State Bar, Labor and Employment Law Section
• Member, Florida Bar, Labor and Employment Law Section
• Member, Birmingham Bar Association
• Former chair, McWane Science Center
• Founding board member, Create Birmingham
• Member, McWane Science Center Endowment Board
• Member, Eagle Scout

Licensed State

• Alabama
• Florida

Education

• University of Alabama School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Alabama
  Master of Public Administration (MPA)
• Vanderbilt University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges