Phoenix Attorney Valdivia Shares Lessons from In-House Leadership Experience in Bloomberg Law

07.27.2026

Stinson LLP Partner Dawn Valdivia authored a Bloomberg Law article exploring how outside employment counsel can deliver greater value by approaching workforce decisions through a business lens. Drawing on more than a decade of experience as senior in-house employment counsel for a Fortune 100 aerospace company, Valdivia explains how legal advice can better support organizations competing for specialized talent in today's labor market.

In the article, Valdivia argues that effective employment counsel should provide practical, business-oriented guidance that enables organizations to make informed workforce decisions without sacrificing speed or strategic objectives. "In a tight market for specialized talent, legal advice can't stop at 'Can we do this?' or 'What is the risk?'" she wrote. "Businesses need both in-house and outside counsel who understand how employment decisions affect competitive advantage and help them build legal architecture for their talent strategy."

Valdivia also discusses the qualities that distinguish trusted legal advisors from strategic business partners, emphasizing the importance of timely guidance, practical recommendations and an understanding of how legal advice affects long-term business goals. She encourages outside counsel to remain invested beyond the immediate legal issue by considering how employment decisions will shape future operations, employee morale and talent acquisition.

"You should be as invested in the outcome as your client," Valdivia advises. "Check in on them – make sure you know how your recommendation ultimately landed."

Valdivia's practice spans complex employment and labor matters that arise across the full employee lifecycle, from day-to-day workforce decision-making to high-stakes disputes. She regularly handles employment litigation, labor relations matters, workplace investigations, wage and hour compliance and litigation, restrictive covenant disputes, reductions in force, and matters involving compliance with federal and state employment laws.

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