Jessica Van Ranken, Associate at our Phoenix law office
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Jessica Van Ranken

Associate
Biography

Jessica Van Ranken’s practice is concentrated in employment law and immigration law. She counsels clients on compliance with state and federal employment laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Arizona Civil Rights Act (ACRA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and paid sick time law compliance. She enjoys helping employers navigate the wide range of issues that can arise in the workplace.

Jessica represents clients in employment-based litigation involving a range of issues, including restrictive covenants, paid sick time, wage and hour, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference with contract, and other related areas. She also responds to charges of workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation before state and federal agencies. Jessica regularly drafts and reviews employee handbooks, policies, and agreements, including non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, confidentiality agreements, severance agreements, and independent contractor agreements.

Jessica also advises employers on immigration law compliance, handling Form I-9 audits and counseling on worksite enforcement issues. She has experience helping clients obtain employment and family-based visas.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona


Education

  • The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (J.D., cum laude)
    • Ohio State Law Journal, Chief Managing Editor
    • Moot Court Governing Board, Executive Justice of Lawyering Skills
    • LL.M. Legal Writing Fellow
    • Dennis B. Eastman Memorial Law Journal Award
    • John J. Adams Memorial Award
    • Dean’s Scholar Award Recipient
    • CALI Award for Seminar: Labor and the Constitution
  • Kansas State University (B.S., Political Science)
    • Minor in Business
    • Student Body President, Student Governing Association
    • Blue Key Senior Honorary
    • Dean of Student Life Outstanding Graduating Senior Award
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch, Labor and Employment, Litigation (2025)
  • Top 50 Pro Bono Attorneys, Arizona State Bar Foundation (2024)
  • Highest Score on October 2020 Arizona Bar Exam

Representative Experience

  • Representing employers before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Arizona Civil Rights Commission against discrimination and retaliation charges, including conducting investigations, drafting position statements, and participating in mediation
  • Representing employers in wage and hour litigation
  • Drafting employment agreements, policies, and handbooks for employers
  • Drafting restrictive covenants, including non-competition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements in the employment setting

Previous Professional Experience

  • Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., Summer Associate (2019)
  • Supreme Court of Ohio, Dispute Resolution Section Extern (2019)
  • The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Research Assistant to Professor Martha Chamallas (2018-2019)
  • U.S. Department of Education Washington, D.C., Legal Intern, Office of the General Counsel (2018)

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • State Bar of Arizona
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association

Community Involvement

  • UMOM New Day Centers, Young Professionals Board (2024-Present)
  • Florence Immigration & Refugee Rights Project, Pro Bono Attorney

Representative Presentations and Publications