WASHINGTON, DC – Outten & Golden, a nationally recognized workers’ rights law firm, has announced that former U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Jenny R. Yang has joined the firm as a partner. Jenny brings to the firm nearly three decades of experience at the forefront of employment and civil rights law, including key leadership positions at federal labor and civil rights agencies.
Jenny joins the firm at a pivotal moment for American workers; as the executive branch wages an aggressive campaign focused on the dismantling of federal agencies, assaults on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and equal employment opportunity, and the erosion of longstanding civil rights protections.
As a partner at O&G, Jenny will help advance the firm’s mission to protect all workers from discrimination and unfair treatment. Her arrival also bolsters the firm’s Government Representation practice, which represents state and local governments in workers’ rights enforcement actions.
Jenny most recently served as President Biden’s Deputy Assistant for Racial Justice and Equity, where she helped craft national policies on democracy, voting rights, racial justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, and economic mobility. She also served as the Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) in the U.S. Department of Labor, where she led the enforcement of federal contractors’ obligations to ensure federal funds are not used to discriminate against their workers.
Jenny was appointed by President Obama to serve as EEOC Commissioner, unanimously confirmed by the Senate in May 2013, and sworn in as EEOC Chair in September 2014; serving on the Commission until January 2018. In addition to her federal leadership roles, Jenny has worked as a civil rights attorney, policymaker and strategic advisor across the public and private sectors, including a decade representing workers in private practice, and five years as a senior trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Now more than ever, workers need advocates who are unafraid to speak the truth and will fight tirelessly for their rights, said Jenny Yang. “I’m excited to join an elite team at O&G, to leverage my experience and help our clients navigate these unprecedented attacks on their rights.”
“Jenny has dedicated her life to helping American workers,” said Adam Klein, managing partner at Outten & Golden. “Her remarkable tenure as a public servant will be invaluable as we continue to protect our clients from the federal government’s attempts to roll back their rights. We are excited to work with Jenny and honored that she’s joined O&G at this moment in our nation’s history.”
About Outten & Golden
Outten & Golden LLP is one of the largest U.S. law firms dedicated to the representation of employees and individuals. With offices in New York City, Washington D.C. and San Francisco, the firm has taken on many of the country’s largest and most powerful employers, forging landmark settlements and historic verdicts that contribute to a more equitable workplace. As a mission-driven firm, O&G uses litigation and other means to expand the rights of all employees to fair wages and working conditions, and a workplace free of discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Learn more at outtengolden.com.