Jenna M. Bedsole

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.

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.

EDUCATION:

• University of Alabama School of Law, J.D., 1997
• University of Alabama, B.A., 1993, magna cum laude

ADMISSIONS:

• Alabama, 1997
• Alabama State Courts
• U.S. District Courts for Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama
• U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

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 race discrimination case for a national movie theater company.
• Obtained summary judgment in favor of a publicly traded energy company for allegations of sexual harassment, race discrimination and retaliation.

Professional Honors & Activities:

• Named by B-Metro Magazine as a “Top Flight Attorney” (2018)
• Named by B-Metro Magazine as one of “Birmingham’s Top Women Lawyers” (2015 – 2018)
• Listed in Alabama Rising Stars, Labor & Employment (2011)
• Member – Alabama Bar Association
• Member – Birmingham Bar Association
• Member – Economic Development Association of Alabama