Overview
Stacey defends and advises employers on a wide variety of workplace matters and claims including discrimination, wrongful termination, wage and hour issues, restrictive covenants, and FMLA, ADA, and Title VII compliance. She also works together with clients on the emerging challenges of AI in the workplace, helping employers build sound AI governance policies and practices as they adopt new technologies.
Stacey passionately advocates for employers before state and federal courts and administrative agencies around the country. She also advises clients on day-to-day issues that arise in employment relationships and with creating and revising multi-state employee handbooks, workplace policies, severance agreements, and partners with organizations on conducting internal investigations and supervisor training.
Stacey brings this same practical approach to one of the newest areas facing employers: artificial intelligence in the workplace. As part of Frantz Ward’s AI Enterprise Governance practice group, Stacey also helps organizations navigate the workplace implications of AI adoption and related employee-data issues, including acceptable AI use policies, handbook and policy updates, biometric data compliance, and AI-related risk in hiring, performance management, and related day-to-day operations.
Stacey’s clients value her unique ability to deliver approachable yet sophisticated advice that helps them manage risk and confidently move their organizations forward in a constantly evolving legal landscape.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Cleveland State University College of Law, J.D., 2022
- Kent State University, B.A., 2015
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member (2018 – Present):
- Labor and Employment Section, Member
- Litigation Section, Member and Head of Programming
- Young Lawyers Section, Member
- Women in Law, Member
- Mental Health & Wellness Committee, Member and Chair (2023 – 2024)
- Bar Circles, Working Parents, Member and Programming Coordinator
- Ohio Women’s Bar Association – Board Member (2025 – Present)
- Cleveland Employment American Inn of Court, Member
- Federal Bar Association, Member
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Westshore Bar Association, Member
Community Involvement
- Cleveland State University Young Alumni Council, Council Member
- Cleveland State University College of Law, Alumni Mentor
Firm Involvement
- Community & Culture Committee, Co-Chair (2025 – Present)
Awards & Honors
- Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (2026 – Present)
-
Named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in Labor and Employment Law (2027 – Present)
Publications
- “Data Breaches Could Cost Your Business Millions,” (Co-Author) Cannabis Business Times (October 2026)
- “Colorado Wrote the Cannabis Rulebook; It’s Writing the AI Rulebook Next” (Co-Author) Cannabis Business Times (September 2026)
- “Biometric Data at Work: A Compliance Primer for Employers,” (Co-Author) Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator Blog (August 2026)
- “Cuyahoga County Becomes First in Ohio to Ban Hair Discrimination: Key Takeaways for Employers,” Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator Blog (October 2025)
- “OSHA’s New PPE Rule: Ensuring Proper Fit for Construction Workers,” Frantz Ward On the Level / Labor & Employment Law Navigator (December 2024)
- “Texas Federal Court Halts New DOL Overtime Rule Nationwide, Citing Overreach: What Employers Need to Know,” Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator Blog (November 2024)
Presentations & Lectures
- “Making the Call: Best Practices for Effective Workplace Investigations,” (Co-Presenter) Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Seminar (June 2026)
- “DEI in 2025: Legal Shifts, Executive Orders, and What Employers Need to Know,” (Guest) Frantz Ward Shoveling Smoke Podcast (September 2025)
- “Anchored in Compliance: Navigating Marijuana and Employment Law,” Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Seminar (June 2025)
- “FMLA & ADA Essentials Unplugged,” Co-presenter, OSBA Fundamentals of Employment Law Webinar (May 2025)
- “Building Bridges: Navigating Relationships with Clients and Opposing Counsel,” Moderator, CMBA (May 2024)
- “Mind Matters: Breaking the Mental Health Stigma,” Moderator, CMBA (March 2023)
Education & Admissions
Education
- Cleveland State University College of Law, J.D., 2022
- Kent State University, B.A., 2015
Bar and Court Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Member (2018 – Present):
- Labor and Employment Section, Member
- Litigation Section, Member and Head of Programming
- Young Lawyers Section, Member
- Women in Law, Member
- Mental Health & Wellness Committee, Member and Chair (2023 – 2024)
- Bar Circles, Working Parents, Member and Programming Coordinator
- Ohio Women’s Bar Association – Board Member (2025 – Present)
- Cleveland Employment American Inn of Court, Member
- Federal Bar Association, Member
- Ohio State Bar Association, Member
- Westshore Bar Association, Member
Community Involvement
- Cleveland State University Young Alumni Council, Council Member
- Cleveland State University College of Law, Alumni Mentor
Firm Involvement
- Community & Culture Committee, Co-Chair (2025 – Present)
Awards & Honors
- Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (2026 – Present)
-
Named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in Labor and Employment Law (2027 – Present)
Publications
- “Data Breaches Could Cost Your Business Millions,” (Co-Author) Cannabis Business Times (October 2026)
- “Colorado Wrote the Cannabis Rulebook; It’s Writing the AI Rulebook Next” (Co-Author) Cannabis Business Times (September 2026)
- “Biometric Data at Work: A Compliance Primer for Employers,” (Co-Author) Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator Blog (August 2026)
- “Cuyahoga County Becomes First in Ohio to Ban Hair Discrimination: Key Takeaways for Employers,” Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator Blog (October 2025)
- “OSHA’s New PPE Rule: Ensuring Proper Fit for Construction Workers,” Frantz Ward On the Level / Labor & Employment Law Navigator (December 2024)
- “Texas Federal Court Halts New DOL Overtime Rule Nationwide, Citing Overreach: What Employers Need to Know,” Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator Blog (November 2024)
Presentations & Lectures
- “Making the Call: Best Practices for Effective Workplace Investigations,” (Co-Presenter) Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Seminar (June 2026)
- “DEI in 2025: Legal Shifts, Executive Orders, and What Employers Need to Know,” (Guest) Frantz Ward Shoveling Smoke Podcast (September 2025)
- “Anchored in Compliance: Navigating Marijuana and Employment Law,” Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Seminar (June 2025)
- “FMLA & ADA Essentials Unplugged,” Co-presenter, OSBA Fundamentals of Employment Law Webinar (May 2025)
- “Building Bridges: Navigating Relationships with Clients and Opposing Counsel,” Moderator, CMBA (May 2024)
- “Mind Matters: Breaking the Mental Health Stigma,” Moderator, CMBA (March 2023)
Recent News & Blog Posts
Jim Ickes and Stacey M. Sanderson Outline Data Privacy Risks for Cannabis Operators
Best Lawyers® Honors 54 Frantz Ward Attorneys; Three Firm Attorneys Distinguished as “Lawyers of the Year” in 2027 Publication
