BIO

This year, Jamala S. McFadden, celebrates 10 years of client service and community leadership through the Employment Law Solution (“ELS”), a firm she owns and originally founded with three partners. ELS’ team of seven lawyers and seven professional staff partners with employers to identify, minimize and resolve workplace legal issues from advice and counseling to representation in class action litigation.
Jamala earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois, followed by a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. During her time at Michigan, she served as the Executive Editor the Michigan Law Review. Prior to establishing ELS in 2013, Jamala was a member of (now) Eversheds Sutherland's litigation team.
With an impressive legal background, Jamala is admitted to practice law in the states of Georgia, Michigan, and Illinois. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is actively engaged in the community, holding various leadership roles. She has notably served as President of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys and as a board president for the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. She was appointed by the Georgia Supreme Court to the Judicial Qualifications Commission and now serves on the Board to Determine Fitness of Bar Applicants.
Jamala is an alumnus of Leadership Atlanta and the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, showcasing her commitment to personal growth and leadership development. Perhaps one of her proudest achievements is her ten years of dedicated service as an Attorney Coach for Therrell High School's Mock Trial Team, where she exposed numerous students to the legal profession, inspiring several of them to pursue careers as practicing attorneys. Her exceptional professional achievements and community involvement have earned her well-deserved recognition from various organizations, including Georgia Super Lawyers, where she is recognized as a Super Lawyer, Top 50 Women Lawyer, and Top 100 Lawyer. Additionally, she has been honored by Georgia Trend, Atlanta Business League, Fulton County Daily Report, National Bar Association, and the Atlanta Bar Association.
Her expertise in employment law and leadership has garnered significant attention, and she is a highly sought-after speaker regarding these topics. Her presentation will focus on the most common worker legal issue that can cost a business thousands of dollars and time away from their business: misclassification of workers as 1099 Independent Contractors, exempt employees, and unpaid interns. As an experienced employment law attorney representing businesses, Jamala will provide participants with a distinct understanding of why these issues are important and explore ways to prevent, minimize and correct those issues should they arise.
Beyond her career, Jamala cherishes her role as a mother to her son, Jamal, and now revels in the joy of being a grandmother, referred to as "Luvie" by her grandson. During her self-care time, Jamala finds solace in the sun and the outdoors. She enjoys spending time on Caribbean beaches, engaging in trail walking, bike riding, experiencing live music, and energizing herself through Zumba sessions.