Opeyemi D. Akinde

Opeyemi ("Yemi") Akinde is an associate in the Berkeley Heights, New Jersey office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Her practice focuses on representing employers in all aspects employment law, including litigation and preventive counseling.

Yemi routinely defends employers against single- and multi-plaintiff claims of discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, and wrongful termination actions. She represents employers in state and federal court, arbitrations and before administrative agencies such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Yemi's practice also includes preventative counseling on a broad range of employment issues, as well as internal investigations.

While attending law school, Yemi served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Esther Salas in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey; an intern for the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Administrative Law; and a legal intern for the City of Jersey City Law Department. She also found great success and received numerous accolades while competing on Rutgers Law School's National Trial Team. After law school, Yemi served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Benjamin C. Telsey, A.J.S.C.

Prior to joining Jackson Lewis, Yemi worked at a mid-size regional firm and an AmLaw 200 firm, practicing both commercial and employment litigation. This background provides her with a holistic perspective of legal issues, enabling her to approach matters creatively and develop successful defense strategies.