Karl S. Gwaltney - Raleigh, NC
Attorney at Maginnis Howard
Wage and Hour Litigation Lawyers in Raleigh, NC
7706 Six Forks Rd Suite 101 Raleigh, NC 27615
- Free Consultation
Raleigh Wage and Hour Litigation Lawyer
Updated: 03/10/2026
Areas of Practice
- Wage and Hour Litigation
- Violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
- Violations of Fair Labor Standards Act & North Carolina Wage and Hour Act
- Unpaid Vacation Pay, Bonuses, and Commissions
- Unpaid Minimum Wages and Overtime
- Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
- Consumer Protection and Unfair Debt Collection
Attorney Information
Overview
A native of New Bern, Karl S. Gwaltney attended the University of North Carolina School of Law. Prior to law school, Karl graduated with honors from Appalachian State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Human Resources. Utilizing his extensive working experience and undergraduate studies in employment issues, Karl now represents individual employees in recovering unpaid wages and penalties in state and federal wage and hour claims as well as other employment issues, including Fair Labor Standards Act and North Carolina Wage and Hour Act compliance. He also handles Maginnis Law's family law disputes, with an emphasis in collaborative family law and other alternative dispute resolution methods. He has also practiced extensively in consumer protection, unfair debt collection, and personal injury matters.
When not practicing law, Karl can generally be found hiking in the woods or lounging on a beach with his wife, Angela, daughter Claire, and dog, Max. Karl and Angela love sailing, camping, travelling, fishing, listening to live music, and are active members of Journey Community Church.
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS:
- After significant litigation, including six depositions, obtained a $65,000.00 settlement on behalf of an employee who was not paid vacation pay after he was lawfully terminated.
- Obtained a $45,000.00 mediated settlement amount for violations of the North Carolina Unfair Debt Collection Act arising from unlawful attempts by a servicing agency to collect lease payments on a vehicle.
- Settled a claim for $25,000.00 for a local business owner related to a lease provision violation comprising lost revenue and consequential damages.
- Despite denied insurance coverage, mediated settlement of $22,500.00 for a mother and young daughter for exposure to stachybotrys mold in their leased home.
- Reached a $19,000.00 settlement arising under the North Carolina Unfair Debt Collection Act in connection with a client's tenancy in a local apartment complex.
- Reached an $18,000.00 mediated settlement agreement for unpaid sales commissions.
- Reached a $9,500.00 settlement for unpaid tips and wages for an employee of a local restaurant.
- Obtained a judgment for $460,823.61 in a failed multi-level marketing venture.
- Negotiated a settlement for a construction worker injured on a job whose hiring employer failed to acquire workers' compensation insurance.
- Participated in drafting an appellate brief and preparing for oral arguments before the North Carolina Supreme Court in a felony death by motor vehicle case.
- Successfully defended multiple clients prosecuted for domestic violence pursuant to North Carolina's 50B statute.
- Organized a North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Continuing Legal Education Seminar entitled: "Practicing Family Law in the Triangle: What you need to know NOW." (2014)
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list as one of the top up-and-coming attorneys in North Carolina from 2017-2021
- Selected a Super Lawyer from 2022-2024
Education
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Legal Education
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University of North Carolina School of Law,
Chapel Hill,
North Carolina
J.D.
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University of North Carolina School of Law,
Chapel Hill,
North Carolina
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Non Legal Education
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Appalachian State University
B.S.
Honors: cum laude
Honors: With High Honors
Major: Business Administration
Minor: Human Resources
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Appalachian State University
Current Employment Position(s)
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Attorney
Pro Bono Activities
- Journey Community Church
Representative Cases
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Vicki Powers and Matthew Watkins v. Hospitality Ventures Management, LLC, Guilford County Superior Court, Case No. 21-cvs-4489;
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Stewart v. Southwood Realty Company, Cumberland County Superior Court, Case No. 18-CVS-6090;
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Koepplinger et al. v. Seterus, Inc., Middle District of North Carolina, Case. No. 1:17-cv-995;
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Lewis et al. v. Bridge Property Management, LLC et al., Wake County Superior Court, Case No. 18-CVS-9565;
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Hargrove v. Grubb Management, Inc. et al., Wake County Superior Court, Case No. 17-CVS-7995;
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Rush v. The NRP Group LLC, Middle District of North Carolina, Case No. 1:18-cv-886;
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Hamilton v. Arcan Capital, LLC et al., Forsyth Count Superior Court, Case No. 18-CVS-1624;
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Suarez v. Camden Development, Inc. et al.; Eastern District of North Carolina, Case Nos. 5:17-cv-124-D and 5:18-cv-455-D;
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Milroy et al. v. Bell Partners Inc. et al.; Eastern District of North Carolina, Case No. 5:18-cv-516;
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Davis v. RAM Partners, LLC; Middle District of North Carolina; Case No. 1:19-cv-349;
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Hampton v. KPM et al., Eastern District of North Carolina, Case No. 5:18-cv-485;
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Brogden v. Kenney Properties, Inc. et al., Wake County Superior Court, Case No. 18-CVS-10880;
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Williams v. Pegasus Residential, LLC; Middle District of North Carolina, Case No. 1:18-cv-1030;
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Medina v. Westdale et al., Eastern District of North Carolina, Case No. 5:19-cv-142;
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Talley et al. v. Lincoln Property Company, Eastern District of North Carolina, Case No. 5:18-cv-550;
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McCord v. PRG Real Estate Mgmt, Inc. et al., Middle District of North Carolina, Case No. 1:20-cv-854;
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Rowland et al. v. Mid-America Apartments, LP et al., Middle District of North Carolina, Case No. 1:18-cv-43;
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Barnhill v. First Point Collection Resources, Inc., Middle District of North Carolina, Case No. 15-cv-892.
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina
- U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina
- U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina
Other Affiliations
- North Carolina State Bar
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Family Law Leadership Division Member
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Family Law Section
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice, Employment Law Section
- North Carolina Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Tenth Judicial District Bar Association
- North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program
- Susie L. Sharp Inn of Court
- Vice-Chair of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice Products Liability, Class Action and Mass Torts section
Photo
Contact
7706 Six Forks Rd
Suite 101
Raleigh, NC 27615
Phone: 919-944-4708
Email: Send a message
Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
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