Law Bulletins

Carolyn A. Davis
- E cdavis@taftlaw.com
- T (614) 334-7187
- F (614) 221-2007
Summary
Carolyn counsels clients in all areas of labor and employment including employee hiring and termination, employment agreements, personnel policies, harassment, workplace investigations, discrimination, wage/hour issues, ADA, FMLA, NLRA, EEOC, and workers’ compensation. She has amassed a successful track record helping companies in the healthcare, hospitality, and education industries troubleshoot employee crises and conduct thorough human resource investigations. Her passion for employer-side legal issues and seasoned investigative instincts have helped make her an invaluable asset for companies needing litigation or negotiation assistance.
Since she started practicing law in 2009, Carolyn has developed extensive experience with helping employers resolve not only employee-related litigation matters, but also with negotiations and background checks. She regularly provides advice and help on topics as varied as workplace safety and health, FMLA, ADA, trade secrets, municipal law, workers’ compensation, non-compete agreements, and class action claims. Her hands-on experience with resolving employee and human resources issues, along with her sharp legal instincts and investigative skills, allow Carolyn to provide effective counsel during trials, mediation, agency proceedings and depositions.
In addition, Carolyn advises both higher and secondary education clients on public law matters. She has experience in compliance areas including, Title IX, FERPA, ADA/Section 504, Clery Act, VAWA and the DFSCA. Carolyn has successfully assisted with the implementation of student processes and procedures, trained Title IX investigators and assisted clients with education audits.
Carolyn is passionate about a number of causes in the Columbus community. She strongly advocates for women’s rights and health advancement through her work with the United Way of Central Ohio’s Women’s Leadership Council, the Ohio Women’s Bar Association board of directors and through her strong support as a Board Member of the Central Ohio Kidney Foundation. She was also named a member of the Ohio Women’s Bar Foundation’s Leadership Institute Class of 2016-17. Carolyn’s legal accomplishments and dedicated community involvement have earned her recognition by Ohio Super Lawyers as a Rising Star for seven consecutive years.
Carolyn received her J.D. and Bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University.
Awards
All Service Areas
All Practices
All Industries
Education
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law (2009)
- Case Western Reserve University (2006)
Admissions
- State - Ohio
- Federal - Northern District of Ohio
- Federal - Southern District of Ohio
- Federal - Western District of Pennsylvania
Speeches and Publications
Speeches
BASA Celebrating Women In Leadership Conference, “Female Attorneys are People Too,” March 18, 2020
“Managing a Workforce in Employment Purgatory: Severance Agreements, Layoffs, Furloughs, and Working Remotely,” Webinar, Sept. 2020
Taft Columbus Employment & Labor Relations Annual Seminar, Oct. 2019
Taft Cincinnati Labor and Employment Law Annual Update, Nov. 2018
Buckeye Association of School Administrators' Adminiscope - FMLA Refresher for Schools, 2017
Taft Cleveland’s 16th Annual Labor & Employment Law Update, Nov. 2016
National Business Institute (NBI) Seminar, “Workplace Behavioral Issues: Appropriately Handling Thorny Situations,” 2016
National Business Institute (NBI) Seminar, "Drafting and Negotiating Business Contracts,” 2015
Ohio State Bar Association - Employment Law Select Issues, “Employers’ Obligation to LGBT Employees and Couples,” 2014
Employer’s Association Training, “Investigations: Purposes, Parameters and Pitfalls,” 2013
National Business Institute (NBI) Seminar, “Employer Investigations,” 2013
Women's Entrepreneurial Network Training, “Employee Hiring and Firing,” 2013
Lima Society of Human Resources Management Seminar, “Social Media in the Workplace,” 2013
Lima Society of Human Resources Management Seminar, “Employer Background Checks,” 2013
Interviewed and quoted by The Daily Standard, “Like it or Not, Selective Protection for Social Media,” 2013
Lima Society of Human Resources Management Seminar, “The Impact of Social Networking on Employers,” 2011
Publications
Co-author, “The Financial and Employment Impact of COVID-19 on Physicians in the United States,” The Journal of Vascular Surgery, Aug. 31, 2020
Co-author, “A Corporate Commitment to Social Justice: How Businesses Can Turn Messaging into Action,” Columbus CEO, Aug. 2020
Co-author, Office of Special Education Programs Explains Implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act During the COVID-19 Pandemic, July 7, 2020
Co-author, Department of Agriculture Issued Nationwide Waivers for Summer Nutrition Program, June 30, 2020
Co-author, Requirements and Considerations for Educational Institutions Serving Children with Special Needs Under IDEA, Rehabilitation Act and ADA, May 8, 2020
Co-author, House Bill 197 Provisions Regarding School Leadership Evaluations, Education Metrics and Distance Learning, April 28, 2020
Author, Taft Law Bulletin, “What Does an “Individualized Assessment Look Like When the Student is a Threat to Self?” June 2018
Co-author, “Is a Long-Term Leave of Absence a Reasonable Accommodation?” ABA Commercial & Business Litigation newsletter, March 2018
Author, Taft Law Bulletin, “Halloween at Work: Costumes, Call-Offs and Celebrations, Oh My!” Oct. 2017
Author, Taft Law Bulletin, “Court Issues Final Order Striking Down DOL Overtime Rules,” Sept. 2017
Author, Taft Law Bulletin, “Company Agrees to Settle Lawsuit Challenging its Maximum Leave Policy,” Aug. 2017
Author, Taft Law Bulletin, “Department of Labor Opinion Letters Are Back,” July 2017
Co-author, Taft Law Bulletin, “Ohio Statute Revised to Add Attorney’s Fees for Discrimination Claim Respondents,” March 2017
Co-author, Taft Law Bulletin, “EEOC Extends Time for Stakeholder Comments on Harassment Guidance,” Feb. 2017
News
Change Is in the Air: Ohio Adopts Major Reforms To the Civil Rights Law With H.B. 352 News
Seventeen Taft Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2021 News
Davis, Spencer, and Tucker Write Columbus CEO A Corporate Commitment to Social Justice Focus Article Law Bulletins
Office of Special Education Programs Explains Implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Past Events
Professional Affiliations
- Human Resources Association of Central Ohio
Member (2015 - present)
- Ohio Women’s Bar Foundation
Mentor
Member, Leadership Institute (2016 - 2017) - Ohio State Bar Association
Member
- Society for Human Resource Management
Member (2015 - present)
- Ohio Women's Bar Association
Trustee, District 5
- Women Lawyers of Franklin County
Member
Community Involvement
- Abbotsford Shire
Board Member (2016 - present)
- United Way of Central Ohio - Women's Leadership Council
Member
- Central Ohio Kidney Foundation
Board Member (May, 2019 - present)