Atty. Melissa Fried Spence

Atty. Melissa Fried Spence

Melissa is a member of Butler Snow’s Labor and Employment group, with experience in a wide range of industries. Melissa regularly counsels clients on compliance issues and represents employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission, and in both state and federal court against lawsuits arising under Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and the FLSA.

Charleston Charleston 17 yrs experience 17 year
Call (843) 277-3700 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Melissa Fried Spence at a glance

Melissa Fried Spence is a employment and litigation attorney based in Charleston, South Carolina, practicing at Butler Snow LLP. They have 17+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2009. Admitted to practice in South Carolina, South Carolina Bar (2009). Educated at Charleston School of Law (J.D., 2009). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — in America (2026). Serands clients in Charleston, SC and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Melissa is a member of Butler Snow’s Labor and Employment group, with experience in a wide range of industries
  • Melissa regularly counsels clients on compliance issues and represents employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission, and in both state and federal court against lawsuits arising under Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and the FLSA

Practice Areas Explained

Melissa Fried Spence's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Melissa Fried Spence handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Employment Law

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

Melissa Fried Spence is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in South Carolina →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Melissa Fried Spence is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in South Carolina →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in South Carolina

Practicing law in South Carolina. Legal matters in South Carolina are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Charleston are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate South Carolina state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in South Carolina brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in South Carolina courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional South Carolina attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Charleston or all attorneys in South Carolina.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Melissa Fried Spence

Where is Melissa Fried Spence's law office located?
Melissa Fried Spence's law practice is located in Charleston, South Carolina. The firm is Butler Snow LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Melissa Fried Spence handle?
Melissa Fried Spence focuses on employment, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in South Carolina.
How long has Melissa Fried Spence practiced law?
Melissa Fried Spence has 17+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 2009.
Where did Melissa Fried Spence go to law school?
Melissa Fried Spence earned their education at (J.D., 2009).
How can I contact Melissa Fried Spence for a consultation?
You can contact Melissa Fried Spence directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Melissa Fried Spence received?
Melissa Fried Spence's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment; Best Lawyers in America — in America; Best Lawyers in America — from 2021-2023 for work in:; Best Lawyers in America — Labor and Employment Law - Management - 2023.

Education

J.D.
Charleston School of Law
- 2009

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — in America
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — from 2021-2023 for work in:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Labor and Employment Law - Management - 2023
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment - 2023
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Labor and Employment Law - Management - 2022
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Labor and Employment Law - Management - 2021
- 2026

Bar Admissions

South Carolina, South Carolina Bar
Admitted: 2009

Reviews

These reviews belong to platform users; they do not constitute advertisement or promotion for the attorney. Opinions are published for informational purposes only.

No reviews yet.