Victoria A. Lipnic is an American lawyer and former government official known for her extensive career in labor law and policy, particularly her service as a Commissioner and Acting Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Early Life and Education Lipnic earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Allegheny College. She later received her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Career
Early Career and Department of Labor: Lipnic began her career working on Capitol Hill, where she served as Counsel to the House Education and the Workforce Committee and as Chief of Staff for various members of Congress. In 2002, she was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment Standards. In this role, she oversaw a wide range of federal labor laws and programs, including those related to minimum wage, overtime, child labor, and workers' compensation, until 2007.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): In 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Lipnic to serve as a Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and she was confirmed by the Senate later that year. She served as a Commissioner for nearly a decade.
- Acting Chair (2017-2019): Following the inauguration of President Donald Trump in 2017, Lipnic was designated Acting Chair of the EEOC, a position she held until January 2019. During her tenure as Acting Chair, she focused on several key areas, including:
- Harassment Prevention: She co-chaired the EEOC's Select Task Force on the Study of Harassment in the Workplace, which produced a comprehensive report in 2016 offering recommendations for preventing harassment.
- Pay Equity: Lipnic was a vocal proponent of addressing pay discrimination and played a role in the EEOC's efforts to collect pay data from employers.
- Age Discrimination: She emphasized the importance of enforcing protections against age discrimination, particularly in light of an aging workforce.
- Sub-Regulatory Guidance: Lipnic advocated for the EEOC to provide clear and concise guidance to employers and employees on their rights and responsibilities under federal anti-discrimination laws.
Lipnic's term as Commissioner concluded in 2020.
Post-EEOC Career: After leaving the EEOC, Lipnic joined the law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP as a partner in their Labor and Employment Group, where she advises clients on complex employment law matters and workplace compliance.
Publications and Advocacy Throughout her career, Lipnic has been a frequent speaker and author on employment law topics. Her work has focused on practical solutions for employers to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws and foster inclusive workplaces. She is particularly noted for her expertise in harassment prevention and addressing emerging issues in the workplace.