Email Jill | 602-381-5481 | V-Card
Jill focuses on helping businesses of all sizes in a variety of industries with their employment law needs. She provides practical advice to employers regarding compliance with the many federal and state laws that govern the workplace and regularly provides training for supervisors and human resource professionals. When disputes arise, Jill represents employers before administrative agencies, in arbitration proceedings, and in litigation in federal and state courts regarding a variety of employment-related claims.
Jill joined Coppersmith Brockelman in 2008 after practicing for 13 years at regional and national firms in Boston and Phoenix. A collegiate and Olympic swimmer before embarking on her legal career, Jill brings both a natural competitiveness and a sense of sportsmanship to her law practice.
Representative Matters
- Providing guidance to businesses regarding compliance with workplace laws and regulations, including Title VII, FMLA, ADA, ADEA, NLRA, the WARN Act, I-9 and E-Verify requirements, federal and state wage and hour laws, and legal requirements specific to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Helping employers understand and minimize risks associated with personnel decisions, including medical leaves of absence, discipline, and discharge.
- Preparing offer letters, employment contracts, confidentiality agreements, separation agreements, employee handbooks, policies, and other employment-related documents.
- Assisting with planning and implementation of reductions in force (RIFs).
- Training human resources personnel and front-line managers regarding the workplace legal environment, including prevention of unlawful discrimination and harassment.
- Investigating and responding to administrative charges and complaints filed with the EEOC, NLRB, DOL, ACRD, and other government agencies, and guiding employers through agency audits and investigations.
- Representing employers in lawsuits alleging violation of employment laws, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, and unpaid wages.
- Providing advice and prosecuting and defending claims arising out of employee departures, including alleged breaches of post-employment restrictive covenants.
- Counsel for America West Airlines in Galati v. America West Airlines, Inc., 6 P.3d 1011 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2003) (affirming dismissal of wrongful discharge claim brought by alleged whistleblower under the Arizona Employment Protection Act).
Awards & Recognitions
- AzBusiness Leaders: Employment & Labor Relations (2024)
- The Best Lawyers in America©: Employment Law – Management (2012 – present); Labor Law – Management (2012 – present); Litigation – Labor and Employment (2021, 2024)
- Chambers USA: Labor & Employment (2022, 2023)
- PHOENIX Magazine: Top Lawyers (2022)
- AzBusiness Magazine: Most Influential Women in Arizona Business (2018)
- Southwest Super Lawyers: Employment & Labor Law (2016 – 2024)
- Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® rated
Publications & Speeches
- Author, “Traps await the unwary under Arizona’s minimum wage law,” HR Laws (Jan. 2024)
- Author, “Employer sanctioned after suing former employees without evidence to support claims,” HR Laws (Nov. 2023)
- Panelist, “Roundup: A Multi-Disciplinary Review of Domestic Violence Law and Issues,” Arizona State Bar Webinar (Oct. 2023)
- Author, “Ignore Offensive Music, and You May Have to Pay the Piper” HR Laws (Jun. 2023)
- Author, “Making peace with piece-rate pay,” HR Laws (Apr. 2023)
- Author, “Dogs and Horses and Reptiles, Oh My! Service Animals as Workplace Accommodations,” HR Daily Advisor (Dec. 2022)
- Author, “Considerations When Employees Pronounce Their Pronouns in Email Signatures,” HR Daily Advisor (Sep. 2022)
- Author, “It’s High Time to Review Your Drug Testing Policy,” HR Daily Advisor (June 2022)
- Commentor, “COVID-19 restrictions are easing up. But some of the workplace changes are here to stay,” 91.5 KJZZ (Mar. 2022)
- Author, “COVID-19 Return-to-Work Plans: Privacy Considerations Under the Americans With Disabilities Act,” OneTrust DataGuidance (Dec. 2021)
- Co-Author, “Our View: How to talk to your employees about federal vaccine mandates,” Phoenix Business Journal (Nov. 2021)
- Presenter, “Employment Law Fundamentals,” Arizona Department of Health Services Adult Use of Marijuana Social Equity Ownership Training Program (Sept. 2021)
- Co-Author with Kent Brockelman, “Our View: Examine Noncompete Agreements Now Before FTC Takes Action,” Phoenix Business Journal (Sept. 2021)
- Co-Presenter with Andy Gaona, “Legal Weed in Arizona: An Overview of the Smart and Safe Arizona Act and Workplace Drug Testing,” Pima County Bar Association Webinar (May 2021)
- Presenter, “Hiring and Paying Caregivers,” Arizona Fiduciaries Association Spring Conference (May 2021)
- Presenter, “Employment Law 101,” Arizona Paralegal Association Conference (March 2021)
- Co-Author with Andy Gaona, “Weed and the Workplace,” Arizona Attorney (March 2021)
- Commentor, “Hazards of Home,” AZ Business (Nov. 10, 2020)
- Commentor, “Scandals reveal murky workplace standards in Legislature,” Arizona Capitol Times (Feb. 2020)
- Author, “Are Your Exempt Employees Paid Enough?” In Business (Jan. 2020)
- Commentor, “Here’s how to prepare for new overtime rules in 2020,” AzBusiness (Nov. 2019)
- Presenter, “You Posted What?!? Social Media and the Healthcare Workplace,” Webinar for the Orthopedic Trauma Association (2019)
- Commentor, “Risky Business?” In Business (July 2018)
- Commentor, “New court ruling could limit what Arizona employers can ask job applicants,” Phoenix Business Journal (May 2018)
- Commentor, “Keep an eye on your boss and paycheck; workplaces ready for new sick leave rules,” Phoenix Business Journal (May 2017)
- Contributor, “Olympics bring fond memories for Ahwatukee lawyer who was part of 1992 games,” Ahwatukee Foothills News (Aug. 2016)
- Commentor, ” Can exempt workers be required to clock in and out?” Arizona Republic (Aug. 2016)
- Commentor, “Can employers hold out on your last paycheck?” Arizona Republic (Jan. 2016)
- Commentor, “Termination for not working off the clock,” Arizona Republic (Oct. 2015)
- Presenter, “Real FMLA Cases: What Would You Do?,” AZSHRM Employment & Legislative Conference (2015)
- Presenter, “The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act: It’s High Time for an Update,” Webinar for the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (2014)
- Presenter, “Managing Employee Absences and Leaves of Absence under the FMLA and ADA,” AZSHRM Employment Law & Legislative Conference (2013)
- Presenter, “FMLA: DOL Update and Real World Cases,” AZSHRM Employment Law & Legislative Conference (2012)
- Presenter, “FMLA Update and Strategies for Avoiding Abuse of Leave,” AZSHRM Employment Law & Legislative Conference (2011)
- Presenter, “The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act: High Time for Employers to Adapt,” Arizona Association of Health Care Lawyers (2011)
- Presenter, “Employment Law 101,” Legal Assistants of Metropolitan Phoenix (2011)
- Author of FMLA chapter, Contributor to ADEA chapter, Arizona Employment Law Handbook, Vol. 2 (2d ed. 2007).
- Presenter, “Taking Control of Your Workforce: Legal Strategies for Terminations and Reductions in Force,” Southwest Employment Law Symposium (2007)
- Contributor, “Ask the Experts” column on employment issues, Arizona Business Gazette (2007 – 2017)
Activities & Memberships
- Member, Civil Practice & Procedure Committee, State Bar of Arizona (2018 – 2021)
- Chair, Labor & Employment Section, State Bar of Arizona (2012 – 2013)
- Volunteer Alumni Interviewer, Stanford University (2016 – present)
- Certified Starter, Stroke & Turn Official, USA Swimming
- Certified Swimming Referee and Starter, Stroke & Turn Official, Arizona Interscholastic Association
Education & Admissions
- J.D. Boston University School of Law, 1995; cum laude
- B.A., Stanford University, 1990
- Admitted in Arizona, 1999
- Admitted in Massachusetts, 1995 (inactive)
