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Grace A. Byrd is Of Counsel to the Sills Cummis & Gross Employment and Labor Practice Group.

Ms. Byrd has worked with business owners, executives and other professionals to develop and execute well–thought–out and practical legal strategies to effectively achieve their litigation and business goals. She counsels with an eye towards helping clients meet their business objectives while remaining legally compliant.

She has represented corporate clients from a range of industries, including financial services, health care, pharmaceutical, hospitality and manufacturing, among others, in connection with employment disputes before federal and state courts and agencies. In addition to her litigation practice, Ms. Byrd frequently counsels management regarding the implementation of employment policies and personnel issues that arise in the workplace, such as family and medical leave eligibility, disability accommodations, wage and hour matters, reductions-in-force, and hiring and discharge of personnel.

She provides training to employees and management level personnel on various topics including anti-harassment, diversity, ethics and whistleblowing. Ms. Byrd also conducts in-house harassment investigations, drafts and updates personnel policies and employment handbooks, and drafts and negotiates separation agreements and employee contracts.

Ms. Byrd is a recognized leader in the New Jersey legal community. She is currently serving a two year term as a Co-Chair of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association (NJWLA) Gala Committee. She has also provided her mentorship to students in NJ LEEP’s four-year college bound program, which rigorously prepares students in the greater Newark area to attend a four-year school after graduation.

Ms. Byrd currently serves on the Firm’s Professional Relations Committee and co-chairs the Firm’s Diversity Committee. Ms. Byrd graduated magna cum laude from Seton Hall University School of Law where she was elected to the Order of the Coif. During law school, Ms. Byrd also participated in Seton Hall’s Civil Litigation Clinic. She also participated in Seton Hall’s Center for Policy and Research, where she is currently a Senior Research Fellow.