Ms. Ford is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and practices primarily in the field of labor and employment law, with an additional practice in health care systems, behavioral health and privacy.  Ms. Ford handles all aspects of employment law, from policy development and training to defending Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charges and litigation.  She develops and negotiates the full range of employment-related agreements and works with employers to conduct internal investigations of alleged discrimination and harassment.  In addition to representing numerous retailers, Ms. Ford also works closely with a variety of manufacturers, educational institutions, restaurants, and other employers.

Career highlights include:

• Successfully defending employers in numerous cases involving all forms of employment discrimination before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, state discrimination agencies, and in state and federal courts
• Successfully defending a large multi-state employer in a first-of-its kind same-sex sexual harassment case
• Representing the plaintiff in a major (and successful) challenge to Ohio's Medicaid reimbursement system for residential services for the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled
• Developing and presenting a multi-day intense Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) training program for providers of behavioral health care services

Ms. Ford is a frequent speaker on the full range of employment-law topics.  She conducts dozens of client presentations each year on topics including sexual harassment, workplace privacy, accommodating disabilities, and other employment law challenges. She has developed “Employment Law 101” training for both supervisory and non-supervisory personnel, and has adapted her training programs to fit the needs of specific clients, including manufacturers, restaurants, retailers, and non-profits.

Ms. Ford is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Columbus Bar Association.

Ms. Ford received her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law magna cum laude where she was a member of the Order of the Coif and was a member and Notes Editor for the Case Western Reserve University Law Review.  She received her B.A. from Oberlin College.

Publications

• “Supreme Court’s Discrimination Decision May Elevate the Importance of Water Cooler Talk,” Ohio Matters, July/August 2007 
• “Workplace Laws Lead to New Employer Privacy Implications,” Ohio Matters, July/August 2006
• “Disaster Plans Essential Part of Business Planning,” Midwest In-House Counsel, February 2006  
• “It’s a FACT: Employers Required to Destroy Specific Information Derived from Background Checks,” Ohio Matters, May/June 2005  

Professional and Community Activities

• Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio PAC, Treasurer, 2007
• The Columbus Speech and Hearing Center, Board of Directors, 2007
• Southeast Recovery and Mental Health Services, Inc., Board of Directors

Honors and Awards

• Ohio Lawyers Weekly Lawyers of the Year Award, 2003