J. Phenise Poole

About J. Phenise Poole

As the Deputy General Counsel and SVP of Strategic & Bank Operations, Employment Law and Legal Operations at Fifth Third Bank, I have extensive experience in managing employment law matters and legal operations for a large financial institution. I provide strategic advice and counsel to executives and senior management on all aspects of employment law, including issues related to M&A transactions, benefit matters, sustainability matters, employee discipline and terminations, reductions in force, restrictive covenants, and employment agreements. I also manage legal services related to enterprise-wide workplace services, such as corporate real estate, project/construction management, and physical security and have experience managing legal functions related to supplier sourcing and contracting. I advise Employee Relations team members and other HR professionals on sensitive employment matters to proactively minimize litigation and reputational risk. I also partner with other control groups, including investigatory functions, on multidisciplinary matters and develop best practices.

Experience

1. Deputy General Counsel, Svp- Strategic & Bank Operations, Employment Law and Legal Operations

   Fifth Third Bank

   Sep 2020 — Present

   Manage teams of legal professionals who are responsible for labor and employment law matters, and legal services related to enterprise-wide workplace services (corporate real estate, project/construction management and physical security) and legal operations. Provide strategic advice and counsel to executives and senior management on employment law-related matters, including compliance with federal, state and local employment laws, accommodations and disability and leave related matters, whistleblower requirements, restrictive covenant protections, regulatory requirements, employment issues associated with corporate reorganizations, acquisitions and divestitures, diversity and inclusion practices, benefits law, compensation plans, and wage and hour compliance. Advise Employee Relations team and other HR professionals on sensitive employment matters such as discipline and terminations, investigation of internal complaints of discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and employee disability issues, leaves and accommodation requests, to proactively minimize litigation and reputational risk. Partner with other control groups, including investigatory functions, on multidisciplinary matters and develop best practices. Oversee employment litigation in federal and state courts, arbitration tribunals and administrative agencies, including assigning and managing outside counsel, managing budgets and reserves, recommending strategy for defense, overseeing litigation hold process and document collection, participating in mediations, and recommending settlement strategy. Evaluate, investigate and respond to attorney demand letters involving sensitive matters. Draft and negotiate executive employment-related agreements, including offer letters, and retention and separation agreements. Assist and oversee drafting, revision, and development of employment policies and practices. Collaborate with Human Resources, Employee Relations and Compliance.

Education

• University of Dayton School of Law

  J.D.

  1997 — 2000

• University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  Bachelor's degree, Communications, Journalism

  1991 — 1995

Skills

• Mediation
• Adea
• Labor and Employment Law
• Wage & Hour
• Employment Law
• Leave of Absence Administration
• Legal Compliance
• Leadership
• Courts
• Fmla
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Restrictive Covenants
• Trials
• Employee Relations
• Non-Compete Agreements
• Team Leadership
• Legal Writing
• Litigation
• Retaliation
• Civil Litigation
• Legal Research
• Leave of Absence Management
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Employment Discrimination
• Litigation Management
• Human Resource Counseling
• Appeals
• Contract Negotiation
• Commercial Litigation