68/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 159 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Employment attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Employment Lawyers in Chapel Hill, NC: 2026 rankings
66 employment lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Chapel Hill: Richard Daugherty, JD, MSW, MBA, LFR Score 68/100; 4.9★ from 159 Google reviews; open Saturdays until 6 PM.
- 2
Open 24 hours (per Google): Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 66.
- 4
Most-reviewed: Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, 1,202 Google reviews at 4.9★, the most of 66 ranked; ranked #4.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
66 Chapel Hill employment lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 13 are open 24/7, 16 open Saturdays and 13 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.7★ across 66 rated law firms.
Top 10 employment lawyers in Chapel Hill at a glance
Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richard Daugherty, JD, MSW, MBA | 68 | 4.9★ (159) | Chapel Hill | Sat | Top score |
| 2 | Law Offices of James Scott Farrin | 62 | 4.7★ (1,063) | Durham, 10 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours |
| 3 | The Law Offices of Gilda A. Hernandez | 62 | 5.0★ (76) | Cary, 18 mi away | — | — |
| 4 | Law Offices of James Scott Farrin | 62 | 4.9★ (1,202) | Raleigh, 20 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Most reviews |
| 5 | Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A. | 60 | 4.9★ (200) | Durham, 10 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 6 | Spitz, The Employee’s Law Firm | 60 | 2.7★ (19) | Raleigh, 21 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 7 | Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers | 60 | 4.9★ (108) | Durham, 7 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 8 | Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers | 59 | 4.8★ (336) | Raleigh, 23 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | — |
| 9 | Martoccio Law Group | 59 | 4.6★ (42) | Raleigh, 25 mi away | — | — |
| 10 | Patterson Harkavy LLP | 59 | 2.3★ (6) | Chapel Hill | — | — |
All 66 employment lawyers in Chapel Hill, in rank order
Ordered by LFR Score, a 0–100 score from nine published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.
Based in Durham, 10 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.7★ from 1,063 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Cary, 18 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 76 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Employment attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 20 mi away
62/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.9★ from 1,202 Google reviews, the most in Chapel Hill.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Durham, 10 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 200 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 21 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 2.7★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Employment attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Durham, 7 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 108 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Law firm”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 23 mi away
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 336 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 25 mi away
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 42 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Employment attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Chapel Hill
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 2.3★ from 6 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Employment attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Apex, 17 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 95 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 20 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 117 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#13 Hammer Law PLLC
Based in Raleigh, 22 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.8★ from 16 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Employment attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 23 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Employment attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
#15 Morgan & Morgan
Based in Raleigh, 25 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 221 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#16 Hutchison PLLC
Based in Raleigh, 20 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 5 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Employment attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#17 The Noble Law
Based in Raleigh, 24 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 62 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Employment attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 23 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #18 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 8 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Employment attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#19 Q Byrd Law
Based in Raleigh, 23 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #19 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 7 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Employment attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#20 Executive Legal
Based in Wake Forest, 30 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #20 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Employment attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 24 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #21 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 12 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Employment attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 25 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #22 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.8★ from 13 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Employment attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Cary, 18 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #23 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 30 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Personal injury attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 24 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #24 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Employment attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Raleigh, 28 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #25 because of its Google rating and review volume: 4.8★ from 592 Google reviews.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Employment lawyers ranked #26 to #50
#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #50, in LFR Score order; each links to its profile. We publish the top 50 of 66 ranked employment lawyers here; the rest are on their profiles.
Also serving Chapel Hill
20 more employment lawyers within 40 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a practice area we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Averett Family Law | 4.5★ (39) | In Chapel Hill |
| Bagwell Holt Smith P.A. | 4.0★ (48) | In Chapel Hill |
| Bagwell Holt Smith P.A. | 4.7★ (31) | In Chapel Hill |
| Barbarin Law Group | 4.6★ (88) | In Chapel Hill |
| Daugherty Law | 5.0★ (4) | In Chapel Hill |
| Heidi G Chapman PLLC | 5.0★ (3) | In Chapel Hill |
| iTicket.law - Powered by Hatley Law Office | 5.0★ (18,105) | In Chapel Hill |
| Jeffrey Allen Howard, Attorney at Law PLLC | 5.0★ (407) | In Chapel Hill |
| Jensen Law Group | 4.8★ (22) | In Chapel Hill |
| King Law | 4.8★ (63) | In Chapel Hill |
| Law Office of Matthew Charles Suczynski | 4.8★ (283) | In Chapel Hill |
| Next Stage Legal | 4.9★ (41) | In Chapel Hill |
| Roberson Law Firm, P.A. | 5.0★ (10) | In Chapel Hill |
| Robinson Bradshaw | 4.0★ (2) | In Chapel Hill |
| Sabet Immigration Law | 5.0★ (10) | In Chapel Hill |
| Suzanne Begnoche, Attorney at Law | 5.0★ (11) | In Chapel Hill |
| The Hastings Law Firm | 5.0★ (13) | In Chapel Hill |
| The Law Office of Kevin M. Kennedy PLLC | 4.9★ (692) | In Chapel Hill |
| The Monroe Law Firm | 5.0★ (5) | In Chapel Hill |
| Tripoint Law | 4.7★ (44) | In Chapel Hill |
How we ranked Chapel Hill employment lawyers
We scored 66 Chapel Hill employment lawyers on nine factors, weighted as shown. A law firm is ranked when its practice area is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Attorney advertising businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Chapel Hill data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Bar status | 10% | An active bar or law society record matched to a lawyer at the firm (not measured until a record source is loaded) | Not yet collected |
| Review volume | 10% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 10% | Share of reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 5% | Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7 | Measured |
| Practice focus | 15% | How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 5% | An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Law Firms Ranked reviews | 10% | Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there are | Measured |
How to choose an employment lawyer
- Check the lawyer’s status and any public discipline in the state bar or law society directory.
- Ask how many employment law matters the lawyer handles each year, and who at the firm will do the work.
- Get the fee arrangement in writing: hourly, flat or contingency, and which costs are charged on top.
- Ask how and how often the firm will update you, and how fast it answers calls and emails.
- Read recent reviews for how the firm communicated and billed, not only for outcomes.
- Ask whether the firm represents employees, employers or both, and whether that creates a conflict for your matter.
- Meet more than one firm; many offer a short first consultation, sometimes free.
Questions to ask an employment lawyer
- How would you approach a matter like mine, and what are the realistic options?
- How do you charge, and what will the total likely cost?
- Who will be my main contact, and how quickly do you reply?
- Do you represent employees, employers or both?
- What could I recover, and what would it cost me?
- Is there any conflict of interest that would stop you representing me?
Terms explained
- Contingency fee
- A fee that is a share of the money recovered, paid only if there is a recovery. Common in injury cases; not allowed for criminal defense or for securing a divorce.
- Retainer
- Money paid up front and held in a trust account, which the lawyer draws on as fees are earned.
- Flat fee
- One set price for a defined piece of work, such as a will or an uncontested matter.
- Limited-scope representation
- Paying a lawyer for part of a matter only, such as reviewing documents or coaching for one hearing (also called unbundled services).
- Statute of limitations
- The deadline to file a lawsuit or charge. It differs by state or province and by type of claim.
- Good standing
- A lawyer’s status as active and eligible to practise with a state bar or law society.
- Law society
- The body that licenses and disciplines lawyers in a Canadian province or territory.
- Board certification
- Recognition in a field of law by a state program or an organisation accredited for that purpose. Lawyers may only claim it when they hold it, naming the certifying body.
- Attorney–client privilege
- The rule that keeps confidential communications between a client and lawyer, made for legal advice, out of court.
- Conflict check
- The search a firm runs before taking a matter to make sure it does not represent someone on the other side.
- Pro bono
- Legal work done for free, usually for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
- Legal aid
- Publicly funded legal help for people with low incomes, through legal aid offices, public defenders or provincial legal aid plans.
Employment lawyers in Chapel Hill: frequently asked questions
Which employment lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Chapel Hill?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked employment lawyer in Chapel Hill, NC is Richard Daugherty, JD, MSW, MBA with an LFR Score of 68/100. It has 4.9★ from 159 Google reviews. It is open Saturdays until 6 PM. Law Offices of James Scott Farrin (#2) and The Law Offices of Gilda A. Hernandez (#3) follow. We ranked 66 employment lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many employment lawyers are there in Chapel Hill?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 66 employment lawyers serving Chapel Hill, NC. 3 of them are based in Chapel Hill; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 20 within 40 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which employment lawyers in Chapel Hill are open 24/7?
13 ranked employment lawyers in Chapel Hill post 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked are Law Offices of James Scott Farrin (#2), Law Offices of James Scott Farrin (#4) and Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A. (#5). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which employment lawyers in Chapel Hill work on weekends?
16 of 66 ranked employment lawyers post Saturday hours and 13 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Richard Daugherty, JD, MSW, MBA (#1), Law Offices of James Scott Farrin (#2) and Law Offices of James Scott Farrin (#4). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Chapel Hill employment lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 66 rated employment lawyers in Chapel Hill is 4.7★, with a median of 18 reviews. Law Offices of James Scott Farrin has the most, 1,202 reviews, and ranks #4. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does LawFirmsRanked rank employment lawyers?
Each employment lawyer gets a 0–100 LFR Score from nine published factors, led by reputation (25%), practice focus (15%), review volume (10%) and recency (10%). A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only law firms with a confirmed practice area and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do employment lawyers outside Chapel Hill count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 40 mi of the Chapel Hill city center, our service radius for employment lawyers. Each listing shows where the law firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the LFR Score, so a nearby law firm gets a small edge.
Can employment lawyers pay to rank higher on LawFirmsRanked?
No. The LFR Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured law firms may appear above the list, labelled Attorney advertising and showing their honest rank.
How do employment lawyers in Chapel Hill, NC charge?
Employment lawyers who represent employees often work on contingency or a mix of contingency and hourly fees; employer-side work is usually hourly. Lawyers using Clio billed an average of $388 an hour in this area (Clio Legal Trends data, October 2026; all areas $362). Ask for the fee arrangement in writing before you agree.
Is there a deadline for a discrimination claim?
Yes. A federal discrimination charge must generally be filed with the EEOC within 180 days, or 300 days where a state or local agency enforces a similar law. Ask a lawyer before the deadline passes. This is general information, not legal advice.
How is this list of employment lawyers in Chapel Hill, NC ranked?
By LFR Score only, from public data on reviews, practice focus, office location and hours. Firms labelled “Attorney advertising” paid for that placement; payment never changes a rank, and a rank is not an endorsement.
Does a lawyer need an office in Chapel Hill?
No, but the lawyer must be licensed in your state (or, for federal matters such as immigration, in some state). A local office makes meetings and court appearances easier, so proximity is one of our factors.
Update log for Chapel Hill
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 66 employment lawyers serving Chapel Hill.
More employment lawyers and Chapel Hill pages
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