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.
In her spare time, Elsa maintains an active pro bono practice, advising the boards of various nonprofits on corporate governance, tax-exemption, and conflict of interest issues.
Elsa also serves as an advisory board member for the education nonprofit Turning the Page and volunteers as a mentor for Chicago nonprofits Link Unlimited and Working in the Schools.
Experience
- Georgetown University (J.D. cum laude 2013; The Georgetown Law Journal: Editor and Meritorious Service Award; Executive Editor, The Annual Review of Criminal Procedure; Thomas and Helen Moloney Scholar; B.A. magna cum laude 2008)
- Illinois, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois and District of Maryland
- Legal intern, U.S. Department of Justice: Antitrust Division (2012) and Civil Division (2011)
- Law Clerk to Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland (2014-2015)