FordHarrison LLP, one of the country’s largest management-side labor and employment law firms, is pleased to announce that Keya C. Denner has joined the Berkeley Heights, NJ office as partner. Keya comes to FordHarrison from Norris McLaughlin, P.A.
“Keya is an accomplished employment litigator who is dedicated to understanding his clients’ needs and managing their costs. Providing excellent legal services while balancing the business needs of our clients is the cornerstone of FordHarrison’s client service promise. Keya is a great addition to our team and we are enthusiastic about him joining Ford Harrison.”
Keya devotes his practice to the counsel and defense of employers in labor and employment law, executive compensation, and cannabis law. He frequently provides training for his clients on topics like harassment awareness and prevention and best workplace practices for managers and supervisors. He counsels employers faced with challenging employee leave entitlement issues under both the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. As a member of FordHarrison's Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice group, Keya also has a deep understanding of employment compensation and employee benefits issues.
Keya is a formidable employment law litigator, representing management in issues including defending against claims of violations of statutes related to non-compete and trade secrets protections, discrimination, disability, and wage and hour regulations, under both federal and state laws. He has extensive experience helping companies navigate new and evolving laws and regulations related to medical and recreational marijuana including advising on accommodation concerns for employees who use medical marijuana pursuant to the New Jersey Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Act, and drafting and refining employers’ drug testing and enforcement policies.
In 2017, the New Jersey Law Journal recognized Keya as its “New Leader of the Bar” for his extraordinary accomplishments and potential in the legal profession. Keya is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association Cannabis Law Committee, the host of the Somerset County Business Partnership’s monthly Human Resources Roundtable, and co-Chair of the Somerset County Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Committee. He also lends his legal expertise to several charitable and not-for-profit groups, serving on the Board of the Community Visiting Nurse Association and the personnel committee for the YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge, and South Amboy. Keya is an avid musician and in his earlier years, was an Emmy award-winning child actor.
“FordHarrison’s reputation and resources will allow me to better serve my clients,” said Keya. “I look forward to growing my practice at such a well-respected firm.”