Overview
Jennifer Fewell Phillips concentrates her practice on labor and employment law, with experience managing complex legal and business risks in both private practice and in-house roles.
Jennifer provides strategic counsel and defense to clients across a broad range of industries, including insurance, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, transportation, food and beverage, finance, and the public sector. She skillfully represents employers in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies, handling matters involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and alleged violations of the ADA, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA, and OSHA. Her practice also includes advising on union-related issues, such as union avoidance, collective bargaining, grievance resolution, labor arbitrations, and work stoppages.
In addition to her litigation practice, Jennifer supports business leaders and HR professionals on employment policies and compliance strategies. Her work includes drafting handbooks and employment agreements, including severance packages, confidentiality, non-compete, non-solicitation, and trade secret provisions. Jennifer also leads management training sessions on harassment, discrimination, and wage and hour issues.
Representative Matters
- Tried a disability discrimination case with the Court of Common Pleas, Lake County, Ohio, to a jury resulting in a defense verdict for the employer.
- Received summary judgment representing an employer in a race discrimination and retaliation lawsuit in the Court of Common Pleas, Lucas County, Ohio.
- Successfully defended multiple charges of discrimination that were filed against a federal contractor after it implemented a mandatory vaccination policy during the COVID-19 pandemic, alleging religious discrimination.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Ohio State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Certified Specialist, 2024
- Cleveland State University, M.N.A.L., 2019
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., 2003
- Mary’s College, Oxford University, American Bar Association Law Program, 2001
- Ohio University, B.S., 2000
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Cleveland Bar Association, Member
- Ladder Down Cleveland, Class of 2022
Community Involvement
- Camp Confidence of Ohio (2018 – Present)
- Co-Founder
- Director
- Royal Family KIDS Camp (2015 – 2019)
- Leadership Committee Member
- Counselor
Awards & Honors
- Named to Ohio Super Lawyers (2025 – Present)
- Named to Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2012 – 2013)
Presentations & Lectures
- “Post-Election Pulse Update: Employer Expectations Under the Trump Administration” Speaker (February 2025)
- “The 2024 Horizon in Labor and Employment Law: Expectations for the New Year” Speaker (February 2024)
- “Accommodations in Today’s Workplace” Speaker (October 2023)
- “Advanced Employment in Ohio: Strategies for Enhancing (and Lessening) Damages in Employment Cases; Handling Discrimination Claims: Race, Pregnancy, etc.,” Speaker (December 2022)
Representative Matters
- Tried a disability discrimination case with the Court of Common Pleas, Lake County, Ohio, to a jury resulting in a defense verdict for the employer.
- Received summary judgment representing an employer in a race discrimination and retaliation lawsuit in the Court of Common Pleas, Lucas County, Ohio.
- Successfully defended multiple charges of discrimination that were filed against a federal contractor after it implemented a mandatory vaccination policy during the COVID-19 pandemic, alleging religious discrimination.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Ohio State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Certified Specialist, 2024
- Cleveland State University, M.N.A.L., 2019
- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D., 2003
- Mary’s College, Oxford University, American Bar Association Law Program, 2001
- Ohio University, B.S., 2000
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Cleveland Bar Association, Member
- Ladder Down Cleveland, Class of 2022
Community Involvement
- Camp Confidence of Ohio (2018 – Present)
- Co-Founder
- Director
- Royal Family KIDS Camp (2015 – 2019)
- Leadership Committee Member
- Counselor
Awards & Honors
- Named to Ohio Super Lawyers (2025 – Present)
- Named to Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2012 – 2013)
Presentations & Lectures
- “Post-Election Pulse Update: Employer Expectations Under the Trump Administration” Speaker (February 2025)
- “The 2024 Horizon in Labor and Employment Law: Expectations for the New Year” Speaker (February 2024)
- “Accommodations in Today’s Workplace” Speaker (October 2023)
- “Advanced Employment in Ohio: Strategies for Enhancing (and Lessening) Damages in Employment Cases; Handling Discrimination Claims: Race, Pregnancy, etc.,” Speaker (December 2022)