NEW YORK, NY (September 5, 2023) Nationwide employment law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. is pleased to announce Monica H. Khetarpal has been named co-leader of the firm’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) group. Monica has almost 20 years of experience in employment litigation and counseling, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) advice and higher education matters. Monica will lead the group alongside Laura A. Mitchell.
“Since joining the firm in 2008, Monica has proven herself as an exceptional advisor and litigator,” said Firm Chair Kevin G. Lauri. “She continually provides outstanding service to our clients and exemplifies the professionalism and high standards that Jackson Lewis embodies. Monica and Laura’s leadership will help further raise our reputation as an exceptional employment law firm in the ESG space.”
As co-leader, Monica will help further the ESG group’s goal of helping clients navigate the rapidly evolving concerns and priorities that often arise in the employer-employee relationship. The group collaborates with various practice and industry groups throughout the firm to seamlessly advise corporate boards and other stakeholders on how to set, reach and monitor their ESG-related goals, including advising on issues pertaining to corporate governance, crisis management, corporate social responsibility, DEI, ethics and compliance.
Monica is a principal in the firm’s Chicago office. Her litigation experience includes cases involving claims for discrimination, harassment, wage and hour violations, FMLA violations, disability discrimination and requests for accommodation in both single-plaintiff and class action matters. She regularly handles matters at all levels, from administrative agencies to jury trials to appeals in both state and federal courts. She also counsels clients through the mediation process and provides advice regarding best practices to avoid litigation. Monica's advice and counsel practice focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion matters. She regularly conducts investigations and climate surveys, advises on strategic DEI initiatives, and provides training in the areas of unconscious bias, inclusion and equity.
Monica focuses a significant portion of her practice on representing higher education clients and serves as co-leader of Jackson Lewis' Higher Education group. The group focuses on solving workplace law and other civil rights challenges facing higher education institutions. It represents both public and private universities in a range of matters including tenure cases, Title IX claims, strategic investigations, student claims, constitutional and state statutory issues and traditional labor matters. Monica has represented educational institutions throughout her career. She has experience defending denial of tenure cases, providing advice and counsel regarding high profile faculty and student matters, revising strategic policies and procedures, and conducting internal investigations and climate surveys. She has partnered with her clients in managing the student, faculty and media issues unique to the higher education setting.
“It is an honor to be given the opportunity to lead alongside Laura in this position,” said Monica. “As someone who has always put the needs of clients at the center of my work, I look forward to maintaining strong client relationships and helping organizations achieve their ESG-related goals.”
Monica is also co-leader of Jackson Lewis’ Asian American resource group and serves as the DEI liaison and mentoring coordinator for the firm’s Chicago office. Monica frequently speaks on topics related to women in law and obtaining a successful work-life balance. She founded the Chicago chapter of the firm's Practicing and Parenting attorney resource group to support attorneys who balance their legal practice with raising children.
Monica earned her J.D. from William and Mary Law School and her B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
About Jackson Lewis
Focused on labor and employment law since 1958, Jackson Lewis P.C.’s 950+ attorneys located in major cities nationwide consistently identify and respond to new ways workplace law intersects business. We help employers develop proactive strategies, strong policies and business-oriented solutions to cultivate high-functioning workforces that are engaged, stable and diverse, and share our clients' goals to emphasize inclusivity and respect for the contribution of every employee.
Additional information about the firm can be found at jacksonlewis.com.
For more information, please contact:
Lara Hamm, Chief Communications Officer
T: (267) 319-7803 / E: Lara.Hamm@jacksonlewis.com
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