Benton L. Toups is a partner at Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP and serves as vice-chair of the Employment Law Practice Group. His practice concentrates on representing businesses in all aspects of labor and employment law.

A firm believer in the adage that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” Toups counsels employers on day-to-day issues and assists them in developing and implementing policies to avoid employment litigation.

Toups has represented employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the North Carolina Industrial Commission, and several state and federal courts. He has extensive experience assisting employers with claims of harassment and discrimination under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the North Carolina Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act (REDA), as well as claims for unpaid wages and overtime pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act. He has also represented clients in preliminary injunction hearings involving covenants not to compete.

In addition to employment matters, Toups represents clients in commercial and contractual disputes. He is also a Superior Court Certified Mediator. Toups currently serves as the town attorney for Calabash, and was recently awarded a Pro Bono Publico award by the New Hanover County Bar Association and the Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc. – Wilmington office.

A resident of Wilmington, Toups is active in the community, serving on the board of directors of the Wilmington Hammerheads Youth soccer league and as a mentor to UNCW business students through the Cameron Executive Network. When he’s not working or volunteering, you can probably find him out on the boat fishing and exploring the coast with his family.