Yvette McGee Brown is a former trial and appellate judge who has defended clients in public corruption, discrimination matters, regulatory enforcement, and constitutional challenges. She represents public companies and universities in Title VII and Title IX investigations and presides in arbitration proceedings. Her approach to litigating complex legal matters was honed during her 11 years as a jurist, including her service as a Justice on the Ohio Supreme Court. After her judicial service, Yvette returned to private practice, assisting clients across a variety of industries and a range of difficult legal issues. Her experience includes defending clients from spurious employment and fraudulent contract claims, representing policyholders in insurance coverage matters, and advising clients facing government scrutiny. She has considerable experience navigating high-profile and time-sensitive matters and divides her time between investigations, initial trial court representations, and appellate cases.
As the Firm's Partner-in-Charge of Diversity, Inclusion and Advancement, she frequently advises clients on diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
Yvette is an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association. She has served as a director for two public companies and as the board chair for The Ohio State University Alumni Association. She currently serves on the boards of Encova Insurance, KIPP Columbus, and Claremont McKenna College.
Experience
Additional 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 - October 2013
University Governance After Penn State, University Business - 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.)
Speaking Engagements
- 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
- The Ohio State University (J.D. 1985); Ohio University (B.S. in Journalism 1982)
- Ohio and U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
- Justice, Ohio Supreme Court (2011-2012); Ohio Elections Commission (2008-2009); Judge, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas (1993-2002)
2020 BTI Client Service All-Star
The Best Lawyers in America (Appellate Practice, 2018-2021), including 2020 "Lawyer of the Year"
2019 Most Influential Women in Corporate America (Savoy magazine)
2013 Central Ohio Business Hall of Fame
2008 Ohio Women's Hall of Fame