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Biography

Tessa serves as a trusted advisor and litigator representing employers and management in three primary areas of employment law: (1) discrimination and harassment issues, (2) wage and hour matters, and (3) noncompetes and trade secrets.

As an advisor, Tessa proactively assists clients with navigating disciplinary matters, terminations, policy implementation, wage and hour compliance, noncompete disputes, and other employment issues. She writes multi-state compliant personnel policies, represents companies in administrative investigations, and offers real-time counsel for navigating personnel concerns. Tessa lends unique insight from her significant experience serving as external general counsel for a client.

As a litigator, Tessa regularly defends clients against administrative charges and lawsuits alleging claims of discrimination, harassment, and even fair housing violations. Tessa also has significant experience defending against class and collective wage and hour claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act and state laws. She assists companies with both defending and prosecuting non-competition and trade secret claims.

Tessa is a member of the firm’s Wage and Hour and Noncompete Teams. Her clients range from nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies and from local family businesses to large international companies.

Other Info About Tessa

Education

Law School

Washington University School of Law, J.D., 2015, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif
Chief Notes Editor, Washington University Law Review
Staff Editor, Washington University Law Review

Undergraduate School

The Ohio State University, B.A., Political Science & Spanish, 2012, magna cum laude

Clerkships

Tessa served as a clerk for the court(s) and judge(s) below:

Legal Intern for the Honorable Audrey G. Fleissig, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Bar Memberships

Tessa is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Ohio

Courts

Tessa is admitted to practice before the following court(s):

U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio

Ohio Supreme Court

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

PLEDGE (Promoting Lawyer Excellence & Driving Gender Equality) 2021 Honoree, John W. Peck Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Chapter of the Federal Bar Association

Selected for inclusion in Ohio Rising Stars®, 2021-2024

YWCA Rising Star, Class of 2020

United Way Board Orientation & Leadership Development (“BOLD”) Program, Class of 2016

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section

Ohio State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section

Cincinnati Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section

Ohio Women’s Bar Association

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Girls on the Run of Greater Cincinnati, Inc., Board Member

ArtsWave Young Professionals Committee, Member

Board Orientation and Leadership Development Program, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, Spring 2016

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