With a practice that spans traditional labor and employment in both the public and private sectors, Jenni Edwards is frequently called upon by senior executives to advise on high-stakes employment issues. Her strategic vision and creative problem-solving skills are an asset when negotiating collective bargaining agreements, developing litigation strategy and investigating complaints of misconduct, especially against C-suite members. Jenni excels in navigating the “gray areas” of the law and in helping clients develop common sense, business-focused plans for long-term compliance strategies, in litigation and arbitrations, throughout labor and settlement negotiations and in day-to-day employment issues.
Jenni has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® and by The Legal 500 for both her labor and employment practices. She is also a recognized leader for her work in advancing gender equity in the legal profession.
Jenni serves the firm as the Chair of the Women’s Committee, on the firm’s Diversity Council, as the Associate Development Partner for the Labor and Employment Group and as the Office Leader for the Columbus Inclusion and Diversity Committee. In these roles, she works with firm leadership to develop critical strategic initiatives, facilitates connections between and among her colleagues across the firm, and supports the advancement of the firm’s women and diverse attorneys as well as the associates in the Labor and Employment Group.
Internal Investigations
- Lead investigator in workplace investigations, including into hostile work environment race and sex-based allegations against a C-suite executive of a Fortune 650 company, allegations of bullying and retaliation against a C-suite executive of a Fortune 500 company, allegations of misconduct with certain patients against a partner in a physician practice group, allegations of sexual harassment brought by a General Counsel against other C-suite executives, allegations of race discrimination against a Chief Financial Officer and other finance department leaders, and allegations of public sector ethics law violations against a former CEO.
Traditional Labor
- Lead negotiator for public sector bargaining units ranging from approximately 40 to 2,000 members. Support lead negotiator with additional public sector bargaining units with as many as 3,500 members. Experienced understanding of the specific challenges presented in public safety contracts.
Litigation and Appellate Advocacy
- Obtained a full defense verdict as lead counsel after a five-day federal jury trial of nine claims raised by a former employee of a company with over $1 billion in annual revenue, including age discrimination and breach of contract claims, requiring the trial testimony of the CEO, the recently-retired CFO, a senior vice president of human resources and two vice presidents with operational responsibilities, and after successfully obtaining an adverse jury instruction against the plaintiff for her failure to mitigate her damages due to spoliation of evidence.