Aretta K. Bernard

Aretta has decades of experience in labor and employment litigation matters that run the gamut from equitable relief, non-compete and trade secret violations to complex, multi-party employment and public accommodation discrimination cases. Aretta also assists clients with traditional labor issues including contract negotiation, fact finding, grievance, arbitration and unfair labor practice charges. Extensively experienced and knowledgeable in both state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment, Aretta represents private and public employers and individuals accused of age, handicap, and race discrimination, sexual harassment and sex discrimination, housing discrimination, and public accommodation discrimination throughout the State of Ohio. She has extensive trial experience in individual and multi-party cases, trying many cases through to verdict. Her representation has included serving as lead counsel in numerous employment law and discrimination matters for local and national clients. She also represents clients in administrative actions before both the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC). In addition to her work as a litigator, Aretta counsels employers across a number of industries on employment-related matters, recognizing that prevention and compliance minimize the risk of future litigation. She also aids employers by conducting and/or supervising employee investigations when circumstances in the workplace warrant. Aretta actively educates clients, human resource managers, and various trade and professional associations on numerous employment-related topics through in-person seminars, live webinars, and client alerts. Experience Served as lead counsel in numerous non-compete and trade secrets matters, including a jury trial victory resulting in a multi-million dollar verdict plus attorney fees and pre/post judgment interest Served as lead counsel in multi-party racial discrimination/hostile environment trial Served as lead counsel in multi-party practice and pattern sexual discrimination/sexual harassment housing discrimination trial Served as lead counsel on behalf of a municipality in a housing discrimination matter Served as lead counsel on behalf of a municipality in American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility matters Served as lead counsel in numerous federal and state courts relating to employment law matters Lead counsel in responding to administrative charges of discrimination in both the state (OCRC) and federal (EEOC) context Provides counseling to employers on employment-related matters Conducts employee investigations on behalf of employer as outside investigator Conducts employer policy and procedure compliance investigation and review Has over 20 years of experience in investigating sexual harassment claims. Represented a public school board in Title IX litigation matter alleging a hostile work environment and sexual harassment. Languages Greek