Ford, Jacquelyn Leslie

Dianne V. Foley joined the firm in 2012 as of counsel, bringing her impressive 30 plus years of labor and employment law experience to the firm.   She is an Ohio State Bar Association Board Certified Specialist in Labor and Employment Law, representing both small and large clients in sophisticated employment matters and day-to-day compliance issues. As of counsel, Ms. Foley is often retained by law firms that need outside counsel for specialized employment advice.  

Ms. Foley represents management-side clients in a wide range of employment matters including federal and state statutory claims of gender, race, age, ethnic, disability, and religious discrimination, under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, employment contracts, non-compete agreements, retaliation claims, sexual harassment claims, wage and hour compliance issues, and wrongful discharge claims.  She regularly appears before the U.S. Department of Labor, the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, the Ohio Industrial Commission, and the Ohio Unemployment Compensation Review Commission. 

Ms. Foley has tried numerous jury and non-jury trials in the state and federal courts.  At the same time, Dianne's expertise is often best utilized by advising companies on policies and best employment practices designed to avoid litigation.  She conducts management and staff sexual harassment training, wage and hour self-audits, employee manual creation and review, and advises on policy changes for employers, from non-profits and small businesses to including many Fortune 500 companies.  Dianne is often consulted when employers desire to make difficult hiring and firing decisions, implement reductions in force, or otherwise make changes that may subject employers to little-known employment law liabilities.  Ms. Foley also represents individuals in severance negotiations and consults with law firms seeking independent outside employment counsel.

Ms. Foley's achievements are many, including her listing in Best Lawyers in America®,  her 10 consecutive years as an Ohio Super Lawyer in Labor & Employment, her Super Lawyer listing as among the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Ohio, and her AV® Pre-eminent^TM rating by Martindale-Hubbell.  She also is a member of the Advisory Group for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio is  Master Bencher in the  American Employment Law Inn of Court.