Rebecca J. Bennett

Rebecca focuses her practice on representation of management in all areas of labor and employment law, litigation and counseling, including claims involving employment discrimination under federal and state law. She is an experienced trial lawyer and has obtained defense verdicts, arbitration awards, dispositive rulings and favorable settlements on behalf of employers. Rebecca advises employers regarding personnel policies; discipline and discharge; affirmative action, federal and state anti-discrimination laws, including Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, wage and hour compliance; labor relations issues, including grievances, mediation and arbitrations; union avoidance; employment contracts, including executive employment agreements, non-compete, trade secret and confidentiality agreements; OSHA compliance; prevailing wage and other government contracting requirements. In addition, Rebecca negotiates collective bargaining agreements and advises management in related areas such as bargaining strategies and strike planning. Rebecca also advises clients on issues related to compliance and certification as disadvantaged, minority or female business enterprises.

Rebecca has represented and advised clients through workplace crisis events, including accidents, criminal activity, data breach, abuse and neglect, fraud allegations and other crises requiring swift and thorough action.

Rebecca provides employers with proactive compliance strategies for federal and state laws. She is also a frequent lecturer in the areas of labor and employment law, and has created and presented training and compliance seminars for employers.

Rebecca is passionate about causes that empower women and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She will be the Chair of the Women in the Law Section for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. She is the Treasurer of the Federal Bar Association, Northern District of Ohio Chapter. She has served as Chair of the Board of Directors of Saint Joseph Academy, a private secondary school educating young women. She is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Gathering Place and Berea's Animal Rescue.