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    Jess Huffman photograph

    Jessica Coco Huffman

    Counsel

    Baton Rouge
    225-376-0202
    jessica.huffman@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    Labor and EmploymentEmployment Litigation

    Jess Huffman practices in the area of labor and employment law. She represents primarily employers in civil litigation, arbitrations and administrative proceedings regarding claims involving all areas of labor and employment, including employment discrimination, ERISA, sexual harassment, employee defamation and other employment-related tort claims, employment contracts, OSHA, union matters, wage and hour, and drafting and implementing employment policies. Ms. Huffman also represents employers in prosecuting and defending cases involving alleged breaches of non-competition agreements, and employment or business-related tort claims. Additionally, she counsels and assists employers regarding compliance with various applicable federal and state labor and employment laws, including the preparation and/or review of employment contracts, severance agreements, and employee handbooks and policies.

    Jess represents clients in federal and state litigation, arbitrations and administrative proceedings. Ms. Huffman represents employers in a variety of industries, including construction, oil and gas exploration and production, petrochemical, restaurant, insurance, health care, retail and financial services.

    Experience

    • Representation of numerous employers in defense of EEOC charges of discrimination, harassment and retaliation that have been successfully dismissed in the clients’ favor.
    • Representation of a national company in a federal action involving numerous claims, including constitutional challenges to the validity of a city ordinance, which was summarily dismissed in the client’s favor and affirmed on appeal by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
    • Representation of a retail client in a federal action involving claims of discrimination, harassment and retaliation under the ADEA, ADA and FMLA, which was dismissed in the client’s favor.
    • Representation of financial services client in federal action involving claims of retaliation and discrimination under Title VII and the Louisiana Employment Discrimination, which was dismissed in the client’s favor.
    • Representation of Fortune 100 company in federal action involving claims of sexual harassment and retaliation under Title VII, which was dismissed in the client’s favor, and affirmed on appeal by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and obtained denial of plaintiff’s petition for writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court.

    Insights

    • January 29, 2025

      What Federal Contractors Need to Know About President Trump’s Anti-Discrimination Order…

    • May 8, 2024

      Federal Jury Rejects Claims Against LSU in High-Profile Title IX Suit…

    More +
    • May 7, 2021

      DOL Ditches Rule Regarding Independent Contractor Test Under FLSA…

    • May 26, 2020

      DOL's Fluctuating Workweek Revamp Gives Employers Flexibility for Handling Work Shifts During COVID-19…

    • April 28, 2020

      What Businesses Can Do to Ease the Transition When Reopening Their Doors…

    Recognition

    • Louisiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, Super Lawyers (2015-2016)
    • Louisiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, Super Lawyers (2015-2016)

    Education

    • Louisiana State University Law Center, J.D./B.C.L., Board of Editors, Louisiana Law Review; Order of the Coif, 2006
    • Louisiana State University, B.S., Business Administration, summa cum laude, 2002
    • Louisiana State University Law Center, J.D./B.C.L., Board of Editors, Louisiana Law Review; Order of the Coif, 2006
    • Louisiana State University, B.S., Business Administration, summa cum laude, 2002

    Credentials

    • Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
    • Judicial Law Clerk for Hon. W. Eugene Davis, U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
    • Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
    • Judicial Law Clerk for Hon. W. Eugene Davis, U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

    Memberships and Affiliations

    • Federal Bar Association
    • Louisiana State Bar Association
    • American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
    • Baton Rouge Bar Association
    • Federal Bar Association
    • Louisiana State Bar Association
    • American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
    • Baton Rouge Bar Association
    • Overview
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    • Education
    • Credentials
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    Related Services

    • Labor and Employment
    • Employment Litigation
    • Employee Benefits/Executive Compensation
    • Labor Relations
    • Wage and Hour
    • Health Care
    • Real Estate and Construction
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