Dionysia L. Johnson-Massie

djmassie@littler.com
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Dionysia Johnson-Massie is a litigator who focuses her practice on federal employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wage-hour litigation and strategic compliance issues, including diversity and inclusion strategies and matters arising under:

  • Title VII and Section 1981
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act
  • The Age Discrimination in Employment Act
  • The Family and Medical Leave Act
  • The Fair Labor Standards Act

Dionysia uses a combination of legal skills and business acumen to offer her clients creative and cost-effective strategies that minimize exposure to a myriad of legal risks. She regularly provides advice and counsel on the practical and legal implications of everyday employment decisions. She also has extensive experience investigating potential legal issues and developing appropriate legal and compliance strategies for companies.

Through mediations, arbitrations, trials or summary judgment motions, she effectively resolves difficult and complex “bet the company” matters. She also has unique experience handling religious accommodation matters for employers in a variety of industries and promotion and tenure issues for educational institutions.

A dynamic presenter on employment law topics, Dionysia has conducted numerous training sessions for clients and presented to business associations and organizations, including the Atlanta and American Bar Associations, Corporate Counsel Association,  Minority Corporate Counsel Association, Corporate Counsel Women of Color, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), National Association of African Americans in Human Resource professionals and other legal and human resources organizations throughout the country. She has authored a number of articles and papers and has been quoted in national and local publications regarding employment law issues.

Dionysia has experience representing and counseling the following types of clients:

  • Financial services
  • Retail
  • Entertainment
  • Telecommunications
  • Healthcare
  • Consumer services
  • Manufacturing
  • Higher education
  • Religious organizations
  • Restaurants
  • Hotels
  • Public sector

Dionysia has an emeritus role and serves in an advisory capacity to the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Council. She was among the founding members of the D&I Council and served as its co-chair for many years. She is also co-chair of the firm’s Career Advocacy Program (CAP). Dionysia is a member of the firm's National Recruitment and Governance committees and formerly served as the hiring shareholder for the Atlanta office.

Previously, Dionysia worked with another labor and employment boutique in Atlanta and also served as a general counsel for another entity.

Credentials & Recognition

Speaking Engagements

Panelist, Effective Diversity and Inclusion Management in the Workplace: What You Should Know and Do

  • February 21, 2020
  • The Knowledge Group, LLC, Live Webcast

Connecting the Dots in Federal Contract Compliance: Moving from Burden to Benefit

  • May 3, 2018
  • Littler Executive Employer, Phoenix, AZ

Accommodating a Multireligious and Multicultural Workforce

  • May 3, 2018
  • Littler Executive Employer, Phoenix, AZ

Challenges and Differences in Accommodating Religion, Pregnancy and Disabilities in the Workplace

  • December 13, 2017
  • Webinar

Pay Equity: A Rapidly Expanding Frontier

  • May 11, 2017

The Role of HR Professionals in Investigating Compliance and Whistleblower Claims

  • May 5, 2016

Workplace Bullying: Identifying, Preventing and Managing It in the Workplace

  • October 2015
  • Women in Power and Law (WIPL) Conference, Washington, D.C.

What Every In-House Counsel Needs to Know About Employment Law

  • September 2015
  • Corporate Counsel Women of Color (CCWC) 11th Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA

Sexual Harassment Policy and Investigation Procedure

  • August 2015
  • C4CM Webinar

Past, Present & Future of Employment & Labor Law: Lessons Learned, Critical New Developments & Future Challenges

  • August 2015
  • 2015 Atlanta Employer Conference, Atlanta, GA

Additional Thought Leadership

Office Holiday Parties – Some Advice on Having Fun….Lawfully

  • December 2015
  • Atlanta Tribune

HURRY: California’s Fair Pay Act (SB 358) Demands IMMEDIATE Attention From Georgia Employers with California Operations

  • December, 2015
  • Atlanta Tribune

Is Bullying Occurring in Your Workplace?

  • November 2015
  • Atlanta Tribune

GINA Shields Defecating Employees in Company Investigation – Say What??

  • September 2015
  • Atlanta Tribune

The Dodd-Frank Act’s Joint Policy Statement on Diversity Opts for Voluntary - Compliance Model

  • June 2015
  • Atlanta Tribune

Pregnant Employees Receive Support from the United States Supreme Court

  • May 2015
  • Atlanta Tribune

The Honest Belief Defense Often Shields Employers From Liability, Even If Decisions Are Based On Inaccurate Facts

  • February 2015
  • Atlanta Tribune

The Honest Belief Defense Often Shields Employers From Liability, Even If Decisions are Based on Inaccurate Facts

  • December 2014
  • Atlanta Tribune

Accommodating Religious Requests in the Workplace

  • September 2014
  • Atlanta Tribune

U.S. Supreme Court Expands Sox Coverage To Include More Private Employers

  • June 2014
  • Atlanta Tribune

ADA Disability Claims: How Medical Documentation Can Support Accommodation Requests

  • May 2014
  • Atlanta Tribune

What Is the Current Impact of the Dodd-Frank Act’s Diversity Provision?

  • February 2014
  • Atlanta Tribune

Retaliation Claims: The Difficulty of “Making the Connection” Between Complaints and Alleged Negative Conduct

  • December 2013
  • Atlanta Tribune

Settling Fair Labor Standards Act Claims Still Requires the Department of Labor’s Supervision or a Court Approved Stipulated Judgment in Georgia

  • October 2013
  • Atlanta Tribune

Does the Supreme Court’s Fisher Decision Impact Private Employer Diversity Related Efforts?

  • August 2013
  • Atlanta Tribune

Avoiding Retaliation Claims: A “Win-Win” For Employers and Employees

  • July 2013
  • Atlanta Tribune

Electronic Use Policy: Critical For Any Employment Environment

  • March 2013
  • Atlanta Tribune

The Family and Medical Leave Act Protects More Georgia Employees

  • August 2012
  • Atlanta Tribune

Georgia Public Employers: Discriminating Against Transgender Employees violates the Law

  • April 2012
  • Atlanta Tribune

New Year's Resolution: Make Time for an Employment Law Check-up

  • January 2012
  • Atlanta Tribune

Workplace Diversity: Who is Championing African-American Professional Women in the Workplace?

  • September 2011
  • Atlanta Tribune (Diversity Issue)

Significant New Fair Labor Standards Act Case: One More Reason to Strengthen Policies, Procedures & Training

  • July 2011
  • Atlanta Tribune

Employer's Diversity & Inclusion Strategies: Why "Now" is Indeed the Time for Action

  • May 2011
  • Atlanta Tribune

Avoiding Workplace Headaches: Training is Critical

  • March 2011
  • Atlanta Tribune

Help! Navigating Challenges to Employers’ Diversity Efforts

  • October 3, 2008
  • Lead-Zine E-Magazine

Let us know how we can help you navigate your particular workplace legal issues.