Yvette R. Simpson
Counsel | Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
A national commentator, speaker, trainer, and executive strategist, Yvette has coached and counseled small and large businesses, executives, and emerging leaders in business, government, and non-profit sectors. A trusted advisor to industry leaders from healthcare to tourism, Yvette has provided training and strategic consulting on leadership, DEI, and government relations, and serves as an advisor for national political leaders and C-Suite executives.
A licensed lawyer for nearly 20 years, Yvette focuses her legal practice on Employment & Labor Law. She served as an in-house employment legal advisor for a major media company, and advises and assists clients in various matters, including employment litigation, workers’ compensation, policy development, HR consulting, and compliance and training. Yvette served as a President Pro Tempore of Cincinnati City Council, focusing on several initiatives including community and economic development and small business support and development.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Miami University
(B.A., B.S., 2000)
- University of Cincinnati College of Law
(J.D., 2004)
Order of the Barristers, Human Rights Quarterly, Senior Editor - Xavier University
(M.B.A., 2014)
Admissions
- State of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Experience
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Client Counseling, Compliance and Training: Draft client advisories, employee handbooks and other workplace policies, employment contracts, and severance agreements. Prepare and present training and advise clients on various labor and employment law matters, including workers’ compensation, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) compliance, discrimination, sexual harassment, unemployment compensation, reductions in force, mergers and acquisitions, documentation retention, and employee discipline.
- Employment Litigation: Drafts briefs, motions, memoranda, answers, interrogatories, and position statements. Represents clients in mediation and arbitration, administration, and litigation of employment disputes.
- Conducts proactive, preventative Human Resources audits for small, medium, and large businesses.
- Served as onsite in-house counsel for a major media company.
Publications & Presentations
Publications
- “Media Law Resource Center Employment Libel and Privacy Law 50-State Survey,” Ohio Law Update (2005)
Presentations
- “Rise, Advocate, Educate, and Cooperate: The Challenge of Change,” National Conference on Civil Rights (June 2021)
- “Bridging the Divide: Growth & Leadership Through Inclusion,” The Metropolitan Club, Covington Kentucky (August 2020)
- “It Starts With You: DEI in the Wake of National Systemic Racism,” Think Tank: Equity and Inclusion, The Abercrumbie Group (2020)
- “Our Collective Voices: Working to Achieve Equity Together,” The Cincinnati Project Symposium (February 2018)
- “Measuring Your Business’ Effectiveness. Five Steps to Conducting a Successful HR Audit,” Ulmer & Berne LLP Employment Law Update Seminar (May 2013)
- “Blowing the Whistle: An Update on Legal Issues in Light of Sarbanes-Oxley and the Other Anti-Retaliation Statutes,” Cincinnati Bar Association Law Symposium (October 2005)
- “State and Federal Recordkeeping Statutes,” Lorman Education Services (June 2005)
- “Sarbanes-Oxley Tort Reform Act of 2005: Update,” Lorman Education Services (October 2004)
Involvement
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- American Inns of Court
- American Bar Association
- Black Lawyers Association of Cincinnati
- Cincinnati Bar Association
- Ohio Bar Association
- National Bar Association
- American Trial Lawyers Association
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- City of Cincinnati (Former President Pro Tempore, Cincinnati City Council)
- Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses (7HNH), Board Chair
- MORTAR (Board Member)
- Contemporary Arts Center (Former Board Member)
- Urban League of Greater Cincinnati (Former Board Member; Graduate, African-American Leadership Development Program)
- YWCA of Greater Cincinnati (Former Board Member; Former Member, Career Women of Achievement (CWOA); Publicity Committee; Member, Racial Justice Committee; Member, CWOA MamieEarl Sells Scholarship Committee; Graduate, Rising Star Board Leadership Program)
FIRM INVOLVEMENT
- Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Honors
HONORS
- Women’s History Month Honoree, City of Cincinnati (2023)
- Pillar of the Community Award, University of Cincinnati Alumni Association (2020)
- Top 100 Influencers, American City Business Journals (2020)
- Theodore M. Berry Award, Cincinnati NAACP Freedom Fund Awards (2019)
- Woman of Influence, Venue Magazine
- Woman of Distinction, Girl Scouts of Greater Southwestern Ohio (2020)
- Cincinnati Business Courier’s “Women Who Mean Business” list (2019)
- National Association of Social Workers, Ohio Public Official of the Year (2018)
- Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (2016-2018)
- YWCA’s 2014 Career Women of Achievement Award – View YWCA Video
- Leaders of Promise Award, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio (2012)
- MLK Dreamkeeper’s Award, Voices of the Valley (2012)
- Miami University Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, Delta Upsilon, Faculty of the Year Award (2012)
- Applause Magazine’s Reach for the Stars (Semi-finalist, 2006)
- YWCA Rising Star (2005)
- Cincinnati Business Courier “Top 40 Under 40” (2005)