Malissa Burnette Partner and Co-Founder Burnette Shutt & McDaniel, Columbia

Malissa Burnette has dedicated more than four decades to advocating for employment law and civil rights, consistently representing those facing discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation or other characteristics. Her philosophy centers on immediately addressing opportunity denial to prevent further exclusions.

Burnette’s landmark cases have shaped legal precedent across multiple areas. In 1985, she successfully challenged the state high school league’s ban on girls playing contact sports. During the 1990s, she represented Nancy Mellette in the case that forced The Citadel to admit women to its corps of cadets.

More recently, Burnette represented Police Chief Crystal Moore of Latta, who was fired after a homophobic incident involving the mayor. The case highlighted the need for LGBT employment protections and resulted in Moore’s reinstatement.

Burnette has also maintained certification as an employment law specialist for more than 30 years and serves as editor of the South Carolina Bar’s employment law practitioners’ guide.