Janet E. RhodesSpecial Counsel

An experienced litigator, Janet represents clients in a range of discrimination and other employment law cases in South Carolina and federal courts. She’s handled matters involving the Family Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act. She’s fought for clients in cases involving age discrimination, equal pay, wrongful termination, contract disputes, and wage disputes.

She has extensive experience drafting employment agreements, independent contractor agreements,  and severance agreements. She also assists companies with in-depth employment practice audits to help ensure their policies, postings and handbooks are in compliance with the law.

Janet also has represented clients in cases involving military employment.

A native of Ninety Six in Greenwood County, South Carolina, Janet was inspired to become a lawyer after growing up seeing her  mother fight for fair pay. Janet vowed to help others win their battles against on-the-job discrimination.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in government at Wofford College, where she was a true Renaissance woman. She excelled in academics, athletics and the arts.

She graduated magna cum laude, studying abroad in London. She also was an NCAA Division I competitor in javelin, setting schools records as she earned MVP and all-conference honors. Additionally, she performed with three vocal groups, the Wofford Singers, the Wofford Show Choir, and the Gold Tones, an eight-woman acapella ensemble.

After Wofford, Janet earned her juris doctor at the Charleston School of Law. She then clerked for the Hon. J. Ernest Kinard, Fifth Circuit Court. She also was a summer intern with the Hon. Henry F. Floyd. At that time he was a U.S. District Court judge. He now serves on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth District.

Janet has earned numerous professional accolades during her career, including recognition in South Carolina Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America. She also active in leadership positions in the legal community and currently chairs the SC Bar’s Employment and Labor Law Section.