Nonnie Shivers

Practice Areas

Employment Law, Litigation, Higher Education, Appellate, RIF/WARN, Leaves of Absence/Reasonable Accommodation, Diversity and Inclusion, Multistate Advice and Counseling, Workplace Investigations and Organizational Assessments

Career

Nonnie partners with employers and managers in three primary ways: litigation avoidance through proactive and maximally compliant 50-state counseling and training; complex workplace investigations including at the C-Suite level; and litigating legally complex and factually challenging cases to defend employers actions.

Nonnie advises and counsels employers in all aspects of employment law, including an emphasis on complex but proactive compliance projects, such as 50-state compliant wage deductions and lawful parental leave programs. Nonnie regularly partners with clients to plan and implement reductions in force, severance plans and agreements, and pre-litigation disciplinary matters. Nonnie regularly conducts high-level internal investigations for clients and assists in identifying and resolving potential areas of liability and exposure in a proactive but practical way. Nonnie’s unique practice also includes providing employment advice for employers doing business within the Navajo Nation’s territorial jurisdiction and other tribal lands, including cultural and employment law training on unique tribal code requirements.

Nonnie has successfully defended employers against allegations of discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful termination in state and federal court, as well as administrative forums. Nonnie has handled hundreds of charges with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Arizona Civil Rights Division, as well as claims and appeals filed with the Industrial Commission of Arizona. Nonnie has also litigated whistleblower claims against air carriers under AIR 21 and handled investigations and enforcement actions with numerous other federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Labor and other employers under SOX.

Nonnie regularly speaks and trains on current and emerging employment law topics, including recent presentations to industry and trade groups on civility in the #MeToo era, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender workplace issues, avoidance of retaliation claims, and political expression in the workplace. Nonnie’s advanced degree in education and years of experience as an instructor and student affairs professional at Arizona State University help make her training sessions and presentations simultaneously educational and entertaining. Nonnie has also published several scholarly articles focused on employment law, including a book chapter on the impact of reasonable workplace accommodations for employees with disabilities on employers, employees’ expectations of privacy for off-duty conduct, and most recently an article on ADA caselaw related to benefits and other evolving protections for transgender employees.

Prior to joining the firm, Nonnie served as a law clerk to the Honorable Patricia K. Norris on the Arizona Court of Appeals (Division One).

Professional Memberships

Member, Arizona Community Foundation – Grant Program Review Committee (2018 and 2019)

Lambda Legal in Arizona – Event Co-Chair (2018 and 2019)

Member, American Employment Law Council (AELC) (2022-2023)

American Bar Association (Employment Law Section)

Federal Bar Association

Arizona State Bar, Labor & Employment Section Member

Chair and Member, Arizona State Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee (2009-2016)

Member, Arizona State Bar Board of Legal Specialization (2014-2016)

Instructor, Arizona State Bar Professionalism Course (2009-2016)

Member, Arizona State Bar Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Task Force (2011)

Member, City of Avondale Judicial Advisory Board (2014-2016)