Fisher Phillips, an international labor and employment law firm representing employers, is pleased to announce that partner Brittany “Britt” Swett and associate Jessica O’Rourke-Suchoff have joined the firm in its growing Portland, Maine office. Britt focuses her practice on educational institutions, with significant experience advising higher education institutions on Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX compliance, further strengthening the firm’s growing presence in the region. Jess helps employers, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations respond to sensitive workplace and civil rights complaints with careful fact development, clear findings, and practical guidance.
Britt works with colleges and universities to strengthen compliance programs, policies, and investigative processes, drawing on experience in prior leadership roles serving as Interim Title IX Coordinator, Interim Deputy Equal Opportunity Coordinator, and Interim Director of Investigations at colleges and universities throughout the United States. She also serves as a neutral Title IX hearing officer and external investigator, conducting trauma-informed investigations involving discrimination, harassment, misconduct, and workplace issues across higher education and other settings.
Her experience includes overseeing complex investigations, training investigators, and advising institutions on best practices for compliance and resolution processes. In addition, she delivers Title IX and workplace training, supporting institutions through policy development and regulatory compliance.
Jess also focuses her practice on investigations involving discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and retaliation under Title VII, Title IX, Title VI, and related state and federal laws. She guides clients through the investigatory and grievance process, including fact-finding, witness interviews, credibility assessments, report drafting, and service as a neutral decision maker or appointed advisor in administrative proceedings.
“Britt offers an in-demand combination of experiences in higher education settings,” said Chris Stief, Regional Managing Partner of the firm’s Portland office. “With Britt’s extensive experience in interim higher education leadership roles, she delivers practical advice and strategic guidance for education clients, while also being available as a neutral investigator or hearing officer, or even taking on further interim roles embedded in educational institutions. For her part, Jess brings us experience as an outside investigator in both higher education and K-12 schools while also having a background as a litigator handling complex litigation matters. Britt and Jess add even further depth to our Higher Education practice, which has been growing rapidly.” Stief added that “They also become part of a broader story of the Portland office’s upward trajectory. We are pleased to continue our investment in the Portland market as we grow alongside our clients.”
Britt is the ninth partner and Jess is the eighth associate to join Fisher Phillips since the firm opened its Portland office in 2025, bringing the office’s total attorney headcount to 18. Their addition underscores Fisher Phillips’ strong belief in Portland as a market for talent, and the firm’s commitment to serving clients with a combination of top-tier legal talent, important subject matter experience, and local market insight.
“Higher education institutions continue to face notable pressure on a large swath of issues,” noted Britt. “I’m excited to offer my clients the comprehensive and extensive backing of a firm like Fisher Phillips, and I’m looking forward to joining the team and helping to support the firm’s clients and its expanding Portland office.”
Britt received her J.D. from University of San Diego Law School, and her B.A. from Marymount Manhattan College.
Jess received her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law, her M.A. and Ph.D. from Princeton University, and her B.A. from the University of California-Berkeley.
About Fisher Phillips
With over 800 attorneys across the globe, Fisher Phillips advises and advocates for employers internationally on some of the most complex and high-profile workplace matters. We leverage our employment experience, tech and thought leadership credentials to keep our clients ready for what’s next. By understanding their business, we help them adapt faster to a faster-changing world, realize possibilities sooner and more effectively, and stay steps ahead when everything is on the line.
Related People
