ElsaAndrianifahanana

Partner

Chicago + 1.312.269.1516

Elsa Andrianifahanana focuses on complex labor and employment issues, including employment discrimination, trade secrets, and restrictive covenants. She counsels clients on the labor and employment aspects of cross-border mergers and acquisitions and has represented clients through various phases of internal investigations, arbitrations, and litigation. She also provides guidance to clients on preventative measures, including reviewing wage and hour practices, drafting company policies, and negotiating agreements.

Prior to joining Jones Day, Elsa was a member of the corporate restructuring and bankruptcy group of another firm, where she represented distressed companies undergoing reorganizations and debt restructurings. Significant representations included Atlas Resource Partners in the first prepackaged restructuring of a publicly traded master limited partnership, a transaction that was recognized by Turnaround & Workouts magazine as one of the 12 most successful restructurings for 2016, and Key Safety Systems in connection with its $1.588 billion bid to acquire Takata Corporation. During the course of the Takata restructuring, Elsa spearheaded the liability management work stream and was instrumental in devising a robust risk management strategy for the client.

Elsa is the current president of the Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. and host of the 2023 National Summit of Black Women Lawyers.

Experience

  • McDonald's obtains dismissal after moving for summary judgment on BIPA claimsJones Day defended McDonald's Corporation against allegations that an artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) system for automating orders at a restaurant drive-thru violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by capturing Plaintiff's biometric information when he placed his restaurant order.
  • The Duchossois Group sells The Chamberlain Group LLC to BlackstoneJones Day advised The Duchossois Group, Inc. in the sale of The Chamberlain Group LLC, a global leader in smart access solutions, to private equity funds managed by Blackstone.
  • Park Place Technologies secures trial win with full dismissal of all claims brought by former executiveJones Day client Park Place Technologies, LLC ("PPT") was successful against all claims in an arbitration filed with the American Arbitration Association by a former executive challenging for cause termination.
  • WMATA engages advisors for executive boardJones Day is serving as the strategic executive advisor to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's General Manager/Chief Executive Officer and its Board of Directors in connection with its efforts to evaluate its finances, operations, and governance.
  • Blue Sea Capital acquires RESA PowerJones Day represented Blue Sea Capital in connection with its acquisition of RESA Power, LLC, a provider of electrical life extension products and services to a broad variety of end markets.
  • Speaking Engagements

    • October 13, 2022
      The Use of Arbitration Agreements in the Workplace (Again): Impact of Viking River Cruises, 2022 Annual Labor & Employment Law Discussion Group