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Beth

Beth G. Joffe

Counsel to the Firm

Beth Joffe is an experienced and committed employment law advisor, advocate, and litigator. For more than 20 years, she has represented employers of all sizes — public and private — across myriad industries, on a nationwide basis.

Beth is a zealous and skilled advocate in federal and state courts, private arbitrations, administrative proceedings, and private negotiations. Her transactional and advisory work is informed by her experience as a litigator, having seen hundreds of employment decisions played out in the litigation context. Additionally, Beth has represented employers in numerous EEOC-initiated lawsuits and broad-scale agency investigations. Beth’s advisory practice includes a broad range of daily and strategic employment issues such as:

Wage and hour compliance;
HR policy design, review and implementation;
Hiring and termination issues;
Harassment, discrimination and compliance training;
Performance management and discipline;
Accommodation issues (disability and religious);
Compliance with local, state and federal leave laws;
Workforce restructuring/reorganization;
Non-compete, confidentiality and employment agreements; and
Workplace complaints and investigations.

Her first career as a felony prosecutor, combined with her extensive employment law experience, helps Beth bring a unique perspective and approach to her practice.

Experience

Representative Litigation Experience

EEOC v. Global Horizons, et. al.
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
Obtained favorable comprehensive summary judgment ruling on the matters for all claims; obtained ruling awarding employer clients all attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in the litigation.
EEOC v. Prestige Care, Inc, et. al.
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
Successfully negotiated comprehensive consent decree before and without need for litigation of complaint allegations.
EEOC v. United Airlines*
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Represented airline employer in Title VII sexual harassment and race discrimination case, as well as two separate ADA discrimination/failure to accommodate cases; resolved cases by negotiating favorable consent decrees.
EEOC v. Carl Buddig & Co.*
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Won motion to exclude class of claimants (405 people) based on EEOC's discovery tactics and thereafter negotiated much more favorable resolution to the case.
EEOC v. OSI and OSI Collection Services, Inc.*
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Won summary judgment for employer in multi-plaintiff, multi-claim Title VII pattern and practice retaliation dispute.
Steadman v. Urban Retail Properties Co.*
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Won summary judgment for employer on Title VII religious discrimination lawsuit; decision affirmed on appeal to the Seventh Circuit.
In re: Private Arbitration for Large Investment Banking Organization*
Private arbitration matter (NASD Arbitration). Obtained very favorable decision for employer in dispute filed by former VP, alleging contract and quasi-contract claims seeking incentive bonus payments.
Petty v. Michigan Automotive Compressor, Inc.*
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Won summary judgment for employer on Title VII and state law claims of race discrimination, race harassment and retaliation.
O’Connor v. Temple Inland, Inc.*
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
Won summary judgment for employer in complex Title VII sexual harassment, sex discrimination and retaliation case.
Maney, et al. v. Southwest Desert Restaurants, Inc., et al.*
Yuma County Superior Court
Won full defense verdict for employer in a multi-plaintiff, multi-defendant workplace tort action; decision affirmed on appeal.
Johnson v. Sun-Sentinel Company*
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
Won summary judgment for employer in case involving Title VII and state law claims of racial, national origin and sexual harassment, retaliation, and race and sex discrimination.
Kyles, et al. v. J.K. Guardian*
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Obtained jury verdict for employer on first employment testers case to go to trial, alleging multiple claims of racially discriminatory hiring in violation of Title VII.
McPherson v. City of Waukegan*
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Won summary judgment for employer on claims of sexual harassment, assault and battery; decision affirmed on appeal to the Seventh Circuit.

* Denotes experience at a previous firm

Professional Experience

Workplace Law, LLC, President (2015-2017)

Cochran, Inc., Chief Human Resources Officer and Senior Employment Counsel (2014-2015)

Stokes Lawrence, P.S., Of Counsel (2012-2014)

CLG & Ellis University, Interim In-House Employment Counsel (2009-2011)

Seyfarth Shaw, LLP

Partner (2005-2009)
Associate (1998-2005)

Cobb County District Attorney, Assistant District Attorney (1993-1996)

Thought Leadership

July 14, 2020Publication
Religious Employers Given Greater Freedom and Latitude Over Employment Decisions as the US Supreme Court Adopts a Broad View of the 'Ministerial Exception'
Labor, Employment & Benefits Legal Update
June 19, 2020Publication
US Supreme Court Says Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination Violate Federal Law
Labor, Employment & Benefits Legal Update
October 23, 2018Event / CLE
36th Annual ‘Best Practices for Best Employers™’ Labor and Employment Seminar
Lane Powell Seminar | Seattle
October 17, 2017Event / CLE
35th Annual ‘Best Practices for Best Employers’ Labor and Employment Seminar
Lane Powell Seminar | Seattle
March 28, 2017News
Joffe Quoted in Human Resource Executive Online Article
In the News
January 24, 2017News
Joffe Joins Labor and Employment Department
Firm Announcement
2019 - 2016Publication
Employment Discrimination Law Portfolio
Bloomberg BNA Corp.

Practices & Industries

Investigations, Compliance & White Collar
Labor, Employment & Benefits
Wage & Hour

Education

Emory University School of Law, J.D., 1994
Indiana University Bloomington, B.S., 1991

Admissions

Washington
Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Washington
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
U.S. District Court, Central, Northern and Southern Districts of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin

Language

Spanish (Conversational)

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