Chelsea focuses her practice primarily in the areas of education and employment law. She prides herself on truly listening and getting to know her clients, so as to best remedy their legal issues and accomplish their goals in the process. Chelsea regularly appears in state and federal courts, and at administrative hearings. She has also argued appellate cases in front of the Sixth Circuit and state district courts.
Education & Credentials
Education
The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law
J.D., 2012- CALI Award for Excellence in the Justice for Children Clinic
- The Ohio State Law Journal-Managing Editor
- Leadership Scholarship 2009-2012
- Public Service Fellow
University of Pittsburgh
B.A., 2008- summa cum laude, Top 2% of class
Bar Admission
Acknowledgements
- Ohio Super Lawyers®
- "Rising Stars," Schools & Education,2020 - 2024
- Columbus Bar Association Barrister Leadership Program
- Participant, 2015
Prominent Assignments
Chelsea provides legal services to school districts, community schools, career-technical schools, and other educational institutions, on a variety of issues, including:
-
Represented a school in a two-week jury trial involving claims for breach of contract, promissory estoppel, and indemnification;
- Employee leaves of absence and accommodations;
- Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation allegations and investigations;
- Employment contracts;
- Non-compete issues;
- Civil litigation matters;
- School policies, procedures, and handbooks;
- Legislative and administrative rules and regulations;
- State and Federal laws and regulations, and Ohio Department of Education oversight;
- Public ethics and board governance;
- Student discipline;
- Special education;
- Unemployment and workers’ compensation;
- COVID-19 preparedness; and
- Title IX.
Professional Involvement
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Columbus Bar Association
Community Involvement
- Dublin Chamber of Commerce 2016 Leadership Academy Graduate
- Be My Eyes-Volunteer
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Publications/Presentations
- Author, "Employment Law Reminder for Educational Entities — Consider Special Rules Within FMLA, FLSA, and Title IX,” Dickinson Wright All Things HR Blog (April 2023)
- Co-Author, “U.S. Supreme Court Decides Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools,” Dickinson Wright Client Alert (March 2023)
- Author, “Employers – Post the New EEOC Poster in Your Workplace (It is REQUIRED)”, Dickinson Wright All Things HR Blog (November 2022)
- Author, "Updated Federal Forms Part 2: I-9 Identification Documents Must Be Unexpired," Dickinson Wright All Things HR Blog (April 2022)
- Author, "Updated Federal Forms Part 1: EEOC Additional Gender Marker Option," Dickinson Wright All Things HR Blog (April 2022)
- Author, "COVID-19 Surge Medical Leave Refresher for Employers," All Things HR Blog (September 2021)
- Title IX Coordinator Training – Dickinson Wright Webinar (2020)
- K-12 Title IX Training: Are You Ready? – Dickinson Wright Webinar (2020)
- Free Speech and School Employees: A Legal Guide – NBI Seminar (2020)
- Successfully Handling Disciplinary Actions for Special Needs Students – NBI Seminar (2018)
- Can You Accommodate My Tattooed Ferret– Training sponsored by the Ohio Association of Corporate Counsel (2018)
- Online Threats and Civil Protection Orders – Ohio Association for Justice (July 2015)