Overview

Marie-Joëlle C. Khouzam counsels employers and business owners in employment law matters, and also advises public entities on municipal law issues. With over 30 years of experience, Joëlle provides clients with practical advice on issues that include workplace discrimination and harassment, breach of contract, non-compete/restraint of trade, and other aspects of the employment relationship. Her superpower is providing pragmatic, straightforward support, helping management develop and implement realistic policies, and, when needed, defending clients before courts and administrative agencies. For many clients, Joëlle is their one-stop HR department.

Joëlle is also a firm believer in mediation, advocating on behalf of clients in mediation and also serving as a retained mediator (neutral). She conducts frequent in-house training to help management ensure legal compliance and avoid litigation and is a frequent author and speaker on developing employment law topics. Joëlle has served as the City Attorney for Grandview Heights since 2006. Her service to public entities includes representing cities and villages, libraries, airport and transit authorities, school districts, and various councils of government.

Joëlle currently serves as the Market Leader for Bricker Graydon’s Columbus office.  She chaired the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee from 2014 to 2018 and continues her commitment to this work by offering customized DEI training to clients. Joëlle is active in the leadership of several employment-related and law-related organizations, and outside of her practice, she serves on the boards of several central Ohio non-profit boards, including LifeCare Alliance, Catholic Social Services, and the Columbus Metropolitan Club.

Education

University of Toledo, J.D. (1991)

Fulbright Fellowship, Universität Innsbruck, Austria (1986)

Georgetown University Institute on Comparative Political & Economic Systems (1985)

Bowling Green State University, B.A., cum laude (1985)

Distinctions

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated™

Recipient, Professionalism Award, Columbus Bar Association (2024)

Ranked, Chambers USA – Labor & Employment: Band 3 (2023–2024); Band 4 (2018–2022)

Listed, The Best Lawyers in America® – Employment Law: Management; Labor Law: Management (2010–2023)

Listed, Super Lawyers®, part of Thomson Reuters®  Ohio, Employment & Labor: Emloyer; State, Local, & Municpal; Workers' Compensation: Employer/Insurance; Employment Litigation: Defense; Nonprofit Organizations (2007–2023)

Listed, Super Lawyers®, part of Thomson Reuters®  Ohio, Top 100 (2023); Top 50 Women (2017–2019, 2021–2023); Top 25 Women Columbus (2017–2023); Top 50 Columbus (2017–2023)

Recognized, Thought Leader: Labour & Employment, Who's Who Legal (2020)

Recipient, Outstanding College Alumni Award, Bowling Green State University (2017)

Recipient, Most Powerful and Influential Women in Ohio Award, Ohio Diversity Council (2009, 2017)

Recipient, Multicultural Leadership Award, Ohio Diversity Council (October 2015)

Listed, Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers

Honored, Establishment of the Khouzam Workforce Development Scholarship, Grandview Chamber of Commerce (2013)

Listed, Who’s Who of Management Labour & Employment Lawyers, International Bar Association

Recipient, Most Powerful and Influential Women in Ohio Award, Ohio Diversity Council (2009)

Recipient, Woman of the Year, Northwest Rotary Club

Recipient, Community Service Award, Columbus Bar Association

Professional Activities

Fellow, College of Labor and Employment Lawyers

Co-Chair, Ohio State Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section Council Webinar Subcommittee

Chair, Nominating Committee; HR Committee, The Catholic Foundation Board of Trustees

Steering Committee Member, Ohio Management Lawyers Association

Faculty Instructor, National Institute for Trial Advocacy “Deposition Skills” Training Program

Member, Columbus Bar Association (Past Member, Board of Governors; Past Chair, Labor & Employment Law Committee; Past Chair, Community Service Committee)

Member, Ohio State Bar Association

Member, American Bar Association

Member, Ohio Management Lawyers' Association

Member, Ohio Municipal Attorneys' Association

Former President, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association

Former Board Member/Officer, Grandview Chamber of Commerce

Former Board Member/Officer, Children’s Hunger Alliance

Former Board Member/Officer, St. Stephen’s Community House

Former Board Member/Officer, Members First Credit Union

Experience

Insights

News

Presentations & Publications

Publications

Additional Items

  • Speaker, "Social Media Implications for the Public Sector” OSBA Webinar (June 2024)
Marie-Joëlle Khouzam, Bricker Graydon LLP Photo

Marie-Joëlle C. Khouzam

Partner
  • 100 South Third Street
    Columbus, OH 43215 -4291

Admissions

  • Ohio
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