Jackie Ford
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 privacy issues. 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. She also counsels companies regarding employment-related aspects of new technologies, social networking sites, and other emerging media. In addition to representing numerous retailers, Ms. Ford also works closely with a variety of manufacturers, educational institutions, health care providers, 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 (HIPAA) privacy training program for providers of behavioral health care services
Ms. Ford is a frequent speaker on the full range of employment-law topics and issues concerning privacy, electronic communications, and social media. 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.
Professional and Community Activities
- Columbus Speech and Hearing Center Board of Directors, 2001-2010
- Friends of the Homeless Board of Directors, 1997–2006
- Southeast Mental Health Board of Directors, 2006-2008
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Class Agent
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio PAC, Treasurer
Honors & Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law - Management, 2012
- Ohio Lawyers Weekly Lawyers of the Year Award, 2003
News
- More than 100 Vorys Attorneys named on 2012 The Best Lawyers in America® List
- Social Media Impacting Wide Range of Firms' Practice Areas
- Ford Quoted in The Daily Reporter Article "Employers Need Consistent Guidelines for Monitoring Employees' Behavior"
- Ford Quoted in The Daily Reporter Article "Conference Will Focus on Current Civil Rights Issues"
- Ford and Kinzer Quoted in The Daily Reporter Article "Local Attorneys Say Court Case Demonstrates Need for Electronic Communication Policies"
- Jackie Ford Quoted in Employment Law360 Article "Do's & Don'ts for Litigation-Proof Affinity Groups"
- Jackie Ford quoted in The Daily Reporter article "Webinar Will Address Dangers of Employees' Social Networking"
- Ford Interviewed by 610 WTVN about Cyber Monday
- Nursing Mothers Making Case for Increased Flexibility, Resources and Support
- Ford quoted in SHRM HR News article "As WHO declares pandemic, study shows many unprepared for HR issues"
Events
- 3rd Annual ANCOR Technology Leadership Summit: Technology Solutions for Tough Times
- Labor and Employment Update-2011
- OPRA 2010 Fall Conference
- OSBA's Corporate Counsel Institute
- Masters Series: Employment Law
- ACLU of Ohio Action Conference
- 2010 Ohio Employment Law Seminar Series
- Council for Ethical Leadership Roundtable Ethics Forum
- OPRA Annual Spring Conference
- Webinar: Can I get sued for what my employees blog about?
- Take Five Breakfast Series: Social Networking and Related HR Issues for Businesses
- Ohio Provider Resource Association 2009 Fall Conference
- Using Social Networks: How to Limit Liability and Increase Business Benefits
Publications
- “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
- Labor and Employment Alert: Supreme Court Ruling Offers Employers Hints for Searching Employee Electronic Communications
- Mealey's Cyber Tech & E-Commerce Report "'I Paid for this Microphone' - When Does Ownership of the Microphone Give You Ownership of the Messages?"
- MarketWatch "Think twice about shopping online from work"
- MarketWatch "Monitoring healthcare in the workplace"
- Client Alert: Social Networking Media – The Great Communicator?
- Client Alert: Ohio Supreme Court Divided on Whether State’s Gender Discrimination Law Applies to Women Who Are Lactating
- Ohio Matters "You and the Flu: Be Prepared When the Real Thing Hits"