Press Releases

Benesch Partner Yelena Katz Named to Crain’s Cleveland Business 40 Under 40 Class

November 13, 2024

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Benesch is pleased to announce that Labor & Employment Partner Yelena Katz has been named to the 2024 Crain’s Cleveland Business 40 Under 40 class. For more than 30 years, Crain’s Cleveland Business has celebrated its annual “40 Under 40” program, honoring outstanding professionals shaping the future of Northeast Ohio.

This year’s honorees come from diverse fields, including real estate, law, nonprofits and sports, each making significant contributions to their communities. To be recognized as a “40 Under 40” honoree, nominees must demonstrate a notable impact on Northeast Ohio’s business and civic communities, with evaluations based on professional achievements and community involvement.

“Yelena’s dedication to her clients, passion for diversity and inclusion, and leadership both within our firm and in the broader community make her truly worthy of this recognition,” said Eric Baisden, Co-Chair of Benesch’s Labor & Employment Practice Group.

In her role at the firm, Yelena handles federal and state labor and employment matters, including issues under the FLSA, ADA, ADEA and Title VII. She has extensive experience in collective and class action wage and hour cases, noncompetition and trade secret litigation, and NLRA matters. Yelena also provides guidance on best practices for hiring, compensation, employee handbooks and compliance.

Yelena is actively involved in diversity and inclusion initiatives, serving as the Vice Chair of External Programming for the firm’s Women’s Initiative and leading the B-Sharp initiative, which connects women in-house counsel at all levels. She also formally mentors three attorneys and informally mentors many others.

Additionally, Yelena is an active member of the Ohio Bar Association, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (Labor & Employment Section), and a Barrister in the Cleveland Employment American Inn of Court. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Valley Art Center in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

The full list of honorees will be announced on Crain’s Cleveland Business Awards website on November 18, and the 40 Under 40 awards celebration will take place on November 21 at The Agora.