Sabrina Presnell Rockoff

828.254.8800 srockoff@mwblawyers.com Download V card Download Print Bio (pdf) Employment Blog

Sabrina is the Managing Shareholder of the Firm. Sabrina uses her own experience leading the Firm to provide employers with practical and comprehensive advice on human relations. Through her partnerships with regional organizations such as the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association and the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, Sabrina has a unique understanding of the issues affecting employers throughout Western North Carolina. Sabrina advises employers on difficult employee situations; conducts complex workplace investigations involving matters such as harassment complaints and fraud allegations; drafts executive employment agreements, employment policies, and employee handbooks; assists employers facing union-related issues including collective bargaining negotiations, union avoidance, and grievance arbitrations; and represents employers before governmental agencies and in federal and state court. Sabrina practiced for 10 years with large international law firms prior to returning to her hometown in 2012.

CLIENT SUCCESSES

Served as Interim City Attorney for a local municipality during 2018 and 2019;
Argued an issue of first impression under the Americans with Disabilities Act before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, resulting in summary judgment for the employer;
Conducted investigation of sexual harassment allegations regarding executive-level employees;
Serve as counsel for local tourism development authority;
Defended a local government successfully through a jury trial and decision of the North Carolina Court of Appeals;
Prevailed in union arbitration for local manufacturer regarding pay during COVID-19 furlough;
Successfully represented several local restaurants in audits by the U.S. Department of Labor.

EDUCATION

University of North Carolina School of Law (J.D., 2002)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.S., 1999)

BAR

North Carolina (2002)
New Jersey (2006)
New York (2009)
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina (2002)
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina (2003)
U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (2003)
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (2006)
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (2007)
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (2009)
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (2011)
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan (2011)
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (2011)
Supreme Court of the United States (2011)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

In the community, Sabrina’s service includes participation in organizations such as:

Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County, Board Chair
Asheville Independent Restaurant Association, Board Member
Mediation Center, President Board of Directors
First Vice President of Congregation Beth HaTephila
Asheville Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Executive Committee, Treasurer
Labor and Employment Section Council, North Carolina Bar Association, Immediate Past Chair
Federal Bar Association, Western District of North Carolina Chapter, Former Executive Committee Member
Leadership Asheville, Class of 2012
Leadership Raleigh, Class of 2010

HONORS

Best Lawyers in America®, Employment Law, Litigation – Labor and Employment (2018 – 2025)

Super Lawyers®, Employment & Labor (2011 – 2024), Top 100® (2023-2024), Top 50 Women® (2023-2024)

Business North Carolina Magazine Legal Elite, Employment (2012 – 2024)

NC Lawyers Weekly Power List-Employment (2023)

Biltmore Beacon 40 Under Forty (Class of 2015)