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print full bioRayna H. Jones
Profile
Rayna Jones servers as Of Counsel in the Phoenix office of Ogletree Deakins. As Of Counsel, Rayna focuses on all aspects of employment law, including handling federal and state employment-related lawsuits and providing advice and counsel to employers.
Rayna received her J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law in 1998. While attending law school, Rayna received was recipient of the Cain Public Interest Fellowship and the Robert S. Strauss Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Law. Rayna was also the Articles and Notes Editor for the Texas International Law Journal, and was a participant in The University of Texas School of Law’s London Program for International and Comparative law.
Prior to working at Ogletree, Rayna practiced in Austin, Texas where she had a particular emphasis on counseling technology and emerging-growth companies on employment issues. In addition to practicing at firms in Texas and Georgia, Rayna served as in-house Corporate Counsel for The Home Depot from 2004 through 2006 where she managed employment litigation and regularly advised internal clients on handling employment disputes, responding to administrative charges and managing day-to-day employee issues.
Rayna is admitted in Texas, Georgia, and is currently seeking admittance to the Arizona Bar.
Experience
Rayna advises and defends clients in federal and state employment-related lawsuits, including actions alleging discrimination, harassment, retaliation, various torts and breach of contract. Rayna’s experience also includes defending employers in administrative proceedings and hearings.
In addition, Rayna helps employers avoid litigation by providing advice and counsel on a variety of employment issues, and by assisting them in the development of effective employment policies and procedures. Rayna provides advice and counsel to employers concerning such topics as personnel policies, wage and hour laws, leaves of absence, employee discipline, hiring and termination issues, noncompete and nonsolicitation agreements, trade secrets, reductions in force, and other employment matters. Rayna also has extensive experience reviewing and creating employee handbooks and policies of all types; drafting and negotiating employment agreements, severance agreements, and covenants not to compete; conducting internal investigations; and providing training for employers on employment-related issues.
Education and Honors
J.D., with honors, The University of Texas School of Law, 1998
Visiting Student, University College London, International and Comparative Law, 1997
B.A., with honors, University of Texas, 1993
Georgia Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (2007)
Professional Activities
- Society for Human Resource Management National and Phoenix Chapters
- Founding Member, Society for Human Resource Management - Atlanta Buckhead GEM
- Arizona, Georgia and Texas Bar Associations
- American Bar Association (Labor and Employment Law Section)
- SHRM –Atlanta Human Resources Conference - "Minimizing Unintended Risks from Today’s Mobile Workforce" - Atlanta - October 19, 2010
- Ogletree Deakins Breakfast Briefing - "Managing the Risks of New Technology in the Workplace" - Duluth - September 15, 2010
- Atlanta Engineering Personnel Association (AEPA) Meeting - "Potential Pitfalls of Social Media in Employment Practices" - Atlanta - April 21, 2010
- SHRM – Atlanta, Buckhead GEM Meeting - "Let’s Face It, Social Networking Is LinkedIn To Your Workplace" - Atlanta - January 19, 2010
- Ogletree Deakins Breakfast Briefing - "Let’s Face It, Social Networking Is LinkedIn To Your Workplace" - Atlanta - October 28, 2009
- SHRM – Atlanta Human Resources Conference - "HR and Legal – Partnering for Success" - Atlanta - October 19, 2009
- SHRM – Athens Meeting - "New FMLA Regulations -- Important Changes for Employers" - Athens - February 10, 2009
- Ogletree Deakins Seminar - "Workplace Privacy – New Technology Creates New Issues for Employers" - Atlanta - October 23, 2008
In The News
- December 22, 2010 - Practical Law Company - "Anti-Discrimination Laws: Georgia"
- December 22, 2010 - Practical Law Company - "Drug Testing Laws: Georgia"
- December 22, 2010 - Practical Law Company - "Leave Laws: Georgia"
- January 18, 2008 - SHRM Online, Federal Court Report - "11th Circuit: Employee with Cancer Not Disabled"
Arizona
Georgia
Texas
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas