YvetteMcGee Brown

Partner

Columbus + 1.614.281.3867 Cleveland + 1.216.586.7055

Yvette McGee Brown advises clients in government investigations involving police or corporate misconduct, discrimination, internal investigations, disparate impact, Title VII, and Title IX. Yvette spent 11 years as a jurist, including service as a justice on the Ohio Supreme Court, after which she returned to private practice, assisting clients across a range of difficult legal issues. Yvette has considerable experience navigating high-profile and time-sensitive matters, including those involving public corruption, discrimination, regulatory enforcement, and constitutional challenges. She divides her time between investigations, initial trial court representations, and appellate matters, defending clients in employment matters and complex litigation involving a variety of issues and industries. She also serves as an arbitrator and mediator.

Yvette is a corporate director for Encova Mutual Insurance Group, The Jeffrey Company, and KIPP Columbus.

As Jones Day's Partner-in-Charge of Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement, Yvette works with the Firm's leadership on diversity strategies and frequently works with clients on diversity initiatives that includes advising on legal guardrails for implementation.

Expérience

  • Minneapolis transforms city policingOn March 31, 2023, the city of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) filed a 144 page settlement agreement in state court that will fundamentally change the way Minneapolis police engage with its citizens.
  • Chamberlain University obtains Sixth Circuit affirmance dismissing breach of contract lawsuitA Jones Day cross-office team secured a significant appellate victory in the Sixth Circuit for Chamberlain University, a nursing school with campuses in 15 states and a subsidiary of Adtalem Global Education.
  • Cardinal Health persuades Sixth Circuit to uphold Ohio District Court's remand order in insurance coverage actionJones Day prevailed in a Sixth Circuit appeal on behalf of Cardinal Health, Inc.
  • J. M. Smucker Company secures complete dismissal in challenge to vaccination policyJones Day secured complete dismissal of all claims brought against The J. M. Smucker Company by former employees challenging their terminations pursuant to Smucker’s COVID-19 vaccination policy.
  • Private college conducts investigation of alleged sexual assault on campusJones Day was retained by a private college to investigate alleged sexual assault and recent racial issues creating concern within the student body.
  • College trustee defends sexual harassment allegations by college professorJones Day was retained by a private college to investigate sexual harassment allegations against one of their trustee members.
  • Nationwide Insurance prevails in lawsuit filed by former independent agent alleging employment, contract, and fraud claimsJones Day client Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company successfully appealed a $42 million jury verdict finding the company liable for breach of contract, constructive discharge, invasion of privacy, and duress before the Ohio Supreme Court.
  • Human Trafficking Legal Center files amicus brief in support of minor human trafficking victim seeking application of Ohio Safe Harbor lawJones Day filed an amicus brief on behalf of the Human Trafficking Pro Bono Legal Center that urged the Ohio Supreme Court to vacate the convictions of a juvenile victim of human trafficking based on the failure of the lower court to consider the application of Ohio's Safe Harbor law, which provides specific, rehabilitative processes and protections for minor human trafficking victims.
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce files amicus brief in support of Ford post market duty to warn caseJones Day filed an amicus brief on behalf of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in support of Ford Motor Company in a post market duty to warn case.
  • Cleveland successfully prepares for Republican National Convention, including resolving ACLU lawsuitJones Day was engaged to represent the City of Cleveland in preparation for the Republican National Convention held in Cleveland from July 18-21, 2016.
  • Several Ohio communities support plans to improve stormwater-management programJones Day represented the Village of Cuyahoga Heights, the Village of Moreland Hills, and Orange Village in support of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's stormwater-management program.
  • Chiquita appeals decision denying insurance coverageJones Day client Chiquita Brands International, Inc. is challenging a ruling denying insurance coverage for injury to Columbian citizens allegedly caused by Chiquita's conduct.
  • Former Columbus City Schools Superintendent defends against data scrubbing caseJones Day successfully defended Gene Harris, the former Columbus City Schools Superintendent, in a data scrubbing case.
  • Time Warner Cable reaches settlement of declaratory judgment action concerning audit of video service provider feesJones Day client Time Warner Cable Midwest, LLC successfully negotiated the settlement of a declaratory judgment action filed by the City of Columbus.
  • Lincoln Electric seeks Ohio Supreme Court ruling on important insurance coverage issuesJones Day client Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. filed a memorandum in support of the Ohio Supreme Court answering a certified question from the Federal District Court, Northern District, in the affirmative.
  • Autres publications

    • Summer 2018
      Savoy Magazine 2018 Most Influential Black Lawyers: Driving Diversity From The Top and Through The Middle
    • February 2017
      Definitively Driving Diversity, Metropolitan Corporate Counsel
    • March 2015
      Chief Justice O’Connor’s Juvenile Justice Jurisprudence: A Consistent Approach To Inconsistent Interests, The University of Akron Law Review
    • February 2015
      Up-and-Coming Lawyers Demand Diversity, Columbus Business First
    • February 19, 2013
      Bringing Balance To A Law Practice, Metropolitan Corporate Counsel

    Select published opinions as Ohio Supreme Court Justice 

    In re Application of Columbus S. Power Co., Supreme Court of Ohio, August 24, 2011, 129 Ohio St.3d 568  (Electric utility could implement rider to recover costs of discounted rate arrangement between utility and manufacturer.) 

    State ex rel. Doner v. Zody, Supreme Court of Ohio, December 1, 2011, 130 Ohio St.3d 446  (Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) was required to compensate property owners for flooding caused by construction of lake spillway.)

    Sunoco, Inc. (R & M) v. Toledo Edison Co., Supreme Court of Ohio, June 9, 2011, 129 Ohio St.3d 397 (“Most favored nation” clause of special contract allowed refinery operator to extend termination date to match date of competitor's special contract.)

    In re Complaint of Wilkes v. Ohio Edison Co., Supreme Court of Ohio, February 22, 2012, 131 Ohio St.3d 252  (Property owner failed to show that Public Utilities Commission had jurisdiction over its complaint against electric utility.)

    Measles v. Indus. Comm., Supreme Court of Ohio, April 6, 2011, 128 Ohio St.3d 458  (Court of Claims, not Court of Common Pleas, had subject matter jurisdiction over workers' compensation claimants' action against Bureau of Workers' Compensation.)

    Loudin v. Radiology & Imaging Servs., Inc., Supreme Court of Ohio, April 20, 2011, 128 Ohio St.3d 555  (Radiologist could be liable for failing to detect breast cancer while interpreting patient's screening mammogram.)

    Cleveland Metro. Bar Asn. v. Westfall, Supreme Court of Ohio, November 21, 2012, 134 Ohio St.3d 127  (Two-year suspension was appropriate for misconduct that included failing to promptly refund unearned fees.)

    King v. ProMedica Health Sys., Inc., Supreme Court of Ohio, August 30, 2011, 129 Ohio St.3d 596  (Statute requiring provider to seek payment from health insurer did not bar provider from billing auto insurer.)

    DiFranco v. FirstEnergy Corp., Supreme Court of Ohio, November 28, 2012, 134 Ohio St.3d 144 (Public utilities commission had exclusive jurisdiction over customers' fraud claim against electric utilities.)

    Holmes v. Crawford Machine, Inc., Supreme Court of Ohio, November 27, 2012, 134 Ohio St.3d 303  (Trial court awarding reimbursement for costs incurred by claimant who prevails on workers' compensation appeal is not required to apportion costs.)

    Rhodes v. New Philadelphia, Supreme Court of Ohio, July 7, 2011, 129 Ohio St.3d 304  (Requester was not aggrieved by improper destruction of public records as required to recover a forfeiture.)

    Miller v. Nelson-Miller, Supreme Court of Ohio, June 27, 2012, 132 Ohio St.3d 381  (Fact that trial court improperly delegated its duty to sign judgment entry of divorce to a magistrate rendered judgment voidable.)

    • August 30, 2018
      Nationwide Insurance AWAKE Signature Event Building Your Brand
    • June 16, 2018
      The Ohio State University and Ohio University Alumni Association Women's Leadership Symposium "Let's Get Gritty"
    • June 5, 2018
      Moving the Needle
    • January 23, 2018
      Federal Bar Council’s CLE Program, 'Call to Action: Credible Roles in the Courtroom for Diverse and Women Attorneys'
    • January 23, 2018
      Call to Action: Credible Roles in the Courtroom for Diverse and Women Attorneys
    • November 3, 2017
      City Year Legal Community Breakfast
    • October 18, 2017
      ALRP Annual Reception
    • June 9, 2017
      Progressive Federalism, American Constitution Society for Law and Policy
    • April 26, 2017
      Women in the Courtroom: A Discussion of Strategies and Best Practices to Empower Women Lawyers as Lead Counsel and Trial Counsel in Litigation
    • November 1, 2016
      NYU School of Law’s Third Annual Diversity Forum
    • October 20, 2016
      The Gavel Gap, panel discussion hosted by the Ohio State University's student chapters of the American Constitution Society and the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies
    • May 19, 2016
      Ohio Women's Bar Association - Beyond the Head Count: Inclusive Environments and Diverse Leadership
    • May 3-4, 2016
      The Culturally Competent Law Department: Promoting Inclusion
    • February 24, 2016
      Jones Day Hosts Mexico City Event to Advance Diversity in The Legal Profession
    • February 11, 2016
      William K. Thomas Inn of Court, Cleveland Employment Inn of Court and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association--Diversity in the Legal Profession: How Do We Change the Trajectory?
    • February 4, 2016
      Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association --Managing Your Career: Understand the Business of Law and the Tricks of the Trade
    • November 7, 2015
      The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts Conference - The Impact of Ohio v. Clark on child testimony
    • March 5, 2015
      American Bar Association, Insurance Section: Detour Ahead - How To Get Your Case Certified To The State Supreme Court