Kevin M. Ceglowski

Kevin Ceglowski advises employers, boards, and private equity sponsors on their most complex and sensitive workplace challenges with practical, business-minded advice. He has an ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into plain-English solutions that align with his client’s business goals. A partner with Smith Anderson’s Workplace Law team, Kevin counsels local, regional, national, and global companies on the full spectrum of employment law issues, from daily HR compliance and workplace investigations to litigation and high-stakes transitions such as reductions in force and mergers and acquisitions. Kevin works closely with executives, HR leaders, and in-house counsel to anticipate problems before they become disputes.

Kevin defends employers in discrimination and retaliation claims, develops compliant multistate policies and handbooks, and drafts and enforces restrictive covenants, including non-compete, non-solicitation, and forfeiture-for-competition agreements. He also regularly assists clients as they navigate reductions in force, WARN and OWBPA compliance, severance and retention programs, executive agreements, wage and hour classification analyses, and employment issues in M&A transactions. Kevin is frequently called on to lead management training, policy reviews, and strategy sessions designed to minimize litigation risk and preserve company culture during times of growth or transition.

He speaks regularly to industry and professional groups on workforce transitions, executive compensation, restrictive covenant law, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in employment practice.

Outside of work, Kevin enjoys time with his family, reading (and collecting more books than he can finish), and domestic and international travel.

Recognition

• Chambers USA, Labor & Employment (2017-2026)
• The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Employment Law - Management (2023-2027)
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment (2025-2027)
• Benchmark Litigation, North Carolina Litigation Star (2023)
• Business North Carolina Legal Elite, Employment (2015-2017, 2019-2022, 2025-2026)
• Super Lawyers
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers (2026)
  • North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star: Employment & Labor (2012-2016)

Education

• Campbell University School of Law, J.D., 2006
  • Executive Editor, Campbell Law Review
• North Carolina State University, B.S. Business Administration, 2001

Bar & Court Admissions

• Board of Trustees, Ravenscroft School (2025-present)
• The Raleigh School 
  • Board of Trustees (2020-2026)
  • Legal Counsel (2017-2020)
• Board of Directors, SAFEchild (2014-2020)
• Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
  • Leadership Raleigh Class 29 Chair (2013-2014)
  • Leadership Raleigh Class 28 (2012-2013)
  • Leadership Raleigh Alumni Association Board (2013-2019)
• Wake County Citizens’ Energy Advisory Commission (2014-2016)
• North Carolina Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section
• Wake County Bar Association

• Advised an international private equity investor and its portfolio Contract Research Organization on employment matters related to the acquisition of a U.S.-based CRO, enhancing the platform’s global presence and supporting its strategy to build a leading independent specialist CRO.
• Represented a private equity-backed telecommunications engineering, construction, and infrastructure company in employment matters related to its equity purchase of a regional specialized construction contractor providing fiber optic and underground utility services.
• Represented a leading provider of elevator maintenance, repairs, and modernization services in the acquisition of an elevator service company.
• Serves as lead employment lawyer in merger and acquisition transactions across industries, resolving the transition issues embedded in the deal: worker misclassification, leased employee and professional employer organization arrangements, non-competition agreements, and executive employment agreements.
• Drafts employment agreements, severance agreements, and restrictive covenant agreements for private and publicly traded companies.
• Designs and executes reductions in force and reorganizations for regional and national employers, including WARN Act and OWBPA compliance.
• Advises on high-risk, sensitive employment matters involving senior executives and reputational risk.
• Defended employers in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies in harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wage and hour matters.