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 super-power 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 mediations 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

AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated through Martindale-Hubbell

Listed, Top 100 Ohio, Ohio Super Lawyers, 2023

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

Listed, Ohio Super Lawyers (Employment & Labor: Employer; State, Local & Municipal; Workers' Compensation: Employer/Insurance; Employment Litigation: Defense; Nonprofit Organizations), 2007–2023

Listed, Top 25 Women Columbus, Ohio Super Lawyers, 2017–2023

Listed, Top 50 Columbus, Ohio Super Lawyers, 2017–2019, 2021–2023

Listed, Top 50 Women Ohio, Ohio Super Lawyers, 2017–2019, 2021–2023

Recognized, ChambersUSA, Labor & Employment - Band 3, 2023; Band 4, 2018–2022

Recognized, Who's Who Legal, Thought Leader - Labour and Employment 2020

Recipient, Bowling Green State University's Outstanding College Alumni Award, 2017

Recipient, Ohio Diversity Council’s Most Powerful and Influential Women in Ohio Award, 2009, 2017

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

Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers

Honored, Grandview Chamber of Commerce established the Khouzam Workforce Development Scholarship, 2013

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

Recipient, Ohio Diversity Council’s Most Powerful and Influential Women in Ohio Award, 2009

Recipient, Northwest Rotary Woman of the Year

Recipient, Columbus Bar Association Community Service Award

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

Former President, Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association

Former Board Member/Officer, Grandview Chamber of Commerce; Children’s Hunger Alliance; St. Stephen’s Community House; Members First Credit Union

News

Blog Posts

Speaking Engagements

Publications