Jenna Bedsole represents employers in a broad range of employment matters, including the defense of cases under federal and state discrimination laws, and the enforcement of non-compete agreements.

Featured Videos

Transgender Individuals in the Workplace September 27, 2016

Compliance with U.S. Employment Laws March 24, 2016

Workplace Challenges and Communication – How to Reduce Risk July 14, 2015

2015 FLSA Changes Webinar: How to Plan, Budget and Prepare July 6, 2015

Navigating the Bermuda Triangle of FMLA, ADA and Workers' Compensation January 13, 2015

Properly Evaluate Your Employees February 6, 2014

Featured Experience

Successfully negotiated resolution of individual wage and hour law claim when employer failed to appropriately classify the employee.

Professional Biography

Overview

Ms. Bedsole is a shareholder in the Birmingham office and leads the Firm's Labor & Employment Group. With the recent increase of wage and hour law cases, she has defended employers successfully in both single plaintiff cases and collective actions.

Ms. Bedsole advises U.S. companies with U.S. workers in foreign jurisdictions about the effect of U.S. law on those workers, and advises foreign companies in the U.S. on compliance with U.S. labor and employment laws. Ms. Bedsole conducts management and employee training relating to employment issues in the workplace, drafts handbooks and employment agreements, provides policy review and regularly counsels employers to ensure compliance with applicable employment and labor laws.

Ms. Bedsole also represents educational institutions and school boards regarding issues with the Teacher Tenure Act, the Fair Dismissal Act, No Child Left Behind, the IDEA, due process proceedings, special education, FERPA issues, truancy proceedings, attendance zoning and the First Amendment. She has defended education clients before the EEOC, the Office of Civil Rights and FMCS Arbitrators.

Ms. Bedsole is also a registered mediator with the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution.

Representative Matters

Successfully negotiated resolution of individual wage and hour law claim when employer failed to appropriately classify the employee.
Successfully defended employer in a RICO and collective action case.
Defeated EEOC in a same-sex harassment and retaliation case for a petroleum recycling company on a motion for summary judgment and the EEOC withdrew its appeal.
After employees left and began their own defense contracting company, successfully represented new entity against multi-billion dollar former defense contractor-employer who was intent on crushing the small business.
Won jury trial in an age discrimination case on behalf of a media company.
Won jury trial in race discrimination case for a national movie theater company.
Won jury trial in an age discrimination claim for computer software company which included successfully demonstrating after-acquired evidence.
Obtained summary judgment in favor of a publicly traded energy company for allegations of sexual harassment, race discrimination and retaliation.
Obtained summary judgment in favor of a school district in a case filed by the Alabama Disability Advocacy Program alleging violations of § 504.

Professional Honors & Activities

AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Listed in Best Lawyers in America® since 2015 in Labor and Employment Litigation; Employment Law - Management
Named by Birmingham magazine as one of "Birmingham's Top Attorneys" in Employment Law (2014 – 2015)
Named by B-Metro magazine as one of "Birmingham's Top Women Lawyers" (2015 – 2016)
Recipient – Birmingham Business Journal's 2015 Women to Watch Award
Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers, Labor & Employment (2014 – 2016); listed as one of the top 50 female attorneys (2016)
Listed in Alabama Rising Stars, Labor & Employment (2011)
Recipient of the Susan E. Rich Women's Initiative Award (2015)
Named by National Diversity Council as one of the "Top 15 Business Women in Alabama" (2015)
Chairwoman – Women's Business Council
Member – Alabama Bar Association
- Leadership Forum (inaugural class)
- Former Member – MCLE Committee
- Former Member – Mentoring Task Force
Member – Birmingham Bar Association
- Women's Section
- Long Range Planning Committee
- Federal Court Practice Task Force
- Board of Directors – Birmingham Bar Foundation
Member – Economic Development Association of Alabama