Jo Bennett

Jo advises and represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law, helping businesses manage workplace risk, navigate day-to-day employment issues, and resolve complex disputes.

She partners with executives, in-house counsel, and human resources professionals on workforce issues across the employment lifecycle, developing practical solutions that align legal compliance with business objectives. Her practice includes advising employers on wage and hour compliance, employee classification, workplace policies, employee discipline, leaves of absence, disability accommodations, reductions in force, restrictive covenants, and workplace investigations. Jo also has extensive experience advising government contractors on federal and state EEO and diversity compliance obligations.

In her litigation practice, Jo represents employers in individual lawsuits, collective and class actions, arbitrations, and administrative proceedings involving claims under the ADA, FMLA, Title VII, wage and hour laws, and other employment laws. Her firsthand litigation experience informs the practical, proactive advice she provides clients on workplace policies, investigations, and compliance strategies designed to reduce litigation risk.

Honors & Recognition

• The Best Lawyers in America^®, Employment Law – Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment (2018-2026, 2020-2026)
• American Association for Access, Equity, and Diversity, President’s Award for Leadership & Service (2016)
• American Association for Affirmative Action, President’s Award for Leadership & Service (2012)
• National Diversity Council, Most Powerful & Influential Woman Award (2016)
• Benchmark Litigation "Local Litigation Stars" and "Labor & Employment Stars – Northeast" – Pennsylvania, 2019–2021

About Me

Before becoming a lawyer, Jo worked as an editor for major metropolitan newspapers, including The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Miami Herald. She has worked in both union and non-union workplaces with front-line supervisory responsibilities.

Representative Matters

• Obtained summary judgment rulings for behavioral health provider in cases alleging religious discrimination, age discrimination, race discrimination, and retaliation under Title VII, ADA and FMLA.
• Obtained summary judgment rulings for behavioral health provider in cases alleging religious discrimination, age discrimination, race discrimination, and retaliation under Title VII, ADA and FMLA.
• Obtained directed verdicts for school system on ADA accommodation and FMLA termination claims and defense verdict on ADA retaliation claim.
• Served as lead trial counsel for a national franchise owner-operator in Title VII gender harassment case, resulting in successful post-trial motion granting judgment in favor of defendant.
• Obtained defense verdict for transportation agency in lawsuit alleging race discrimination and retaliation.
• Served as lead counsel for a Fortune 10 company in wage-and-hour collective and class action litigation.
• Served as lead counsel for transportation agency in wage-and-hour collective actions.

Education

• Temple University – James E. Beasley School of Law
  • J.D., cum laude
• Western Kentucky University
  • B.A., summa cum laude

News

Civic

• Arcadia University Board of Trustees (2007–2016)
  • Executive Committee
  • Audit Committee
  • Governance Committee

Professional

• American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
• Society for Human Resource Management
• Philadelphia Bar Association
• Philadelphia Industry Liaison Group
  • Board of Directors (2018–present)
• American Association for Affirmative Action
  • Board of Directors (2009-2012)