Leigh Anne Williams, a partner in Porter Wright’s Labor and Employment Department, has been selected as a Columbus Business First 2021 “40 Under 40” honoree. The publication announced the list of honorees on April 12, 2021.

Leigh Anne has considerable experience in employment law counseling and litigation and has represented large companies on a wide range of legal issues including internal investigations, compliance matters and representation before various state and federal agencies. She provides essential guidance on best practices for employers in the areas of wage and hour compliance, leave management and accommodations. Leigh Anne is also a standout in emerging areas including cannabis and COVID-19.

“Leigh Anne is a dynamic advocate for her clients. When the legal landscape changed quickly and drastically in the wake of COVID-19 last year, Leigh Anne helped lead the firm in creating a team to provide employment-related legal advice on its impact,” said Deb Boiarsky, the firm’s Chief Operating Partner, who nominated Leigh Anne for this award. “She did an incredible job of guiding clients through developments in all phases of the pandemic, from state laws and orders at the outset to return-to-work and vaccination procedures now. It is this same expertise and dedication that Leigh Anne brings to everything that she does.”

Leigh Anne is a member of the steering committee for Porter Wright’s Women’s Leadership Initiative and provides guidance to young attorneys on developing business, networking and mentorship to help them succeed in their practice. She writes often on labor and employment topics and has been published by or quoted in Thomas Reuters, HR Hero and Ohio Employment Law Letter. She also blogs on Porter Wright’s Employer Law Report.

Leigh Anne earned her J.D. magna cum laude from The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law and her B.A. magna cum laude from The Ohio State University.

The award recipients will be honored during a virtual event on May 27, 2021 and will be showcased in the May 28 issue of Columbus Business First.