As an award-winning workplace educator, Adrienne Lawrence does more than just talk. The former “big law” litigator is passionate about developing knowledge through informative, thought-provoking content and training—particularly on matters impacting people in their professional lives.
Consulting + Training
As a Vice President and Senior Consultant for Jennifer Brown Consulting, Adrienne successfully educates executives and personnel across industries on matters concerning professional development, strategic organizational growth, and inclusive leadership. Leveraging her communication and cultural competency skills, Adrienne is adept at connecting with professionals from all walks of life who are seeking inter- and intrapersonal growth.
In her work, Adrienne conducts organizational assessments and investigations and thoughtfully advises clients on how to tactfully navigate sensitive matters. And, merging her media skills with her passion for L&D, the skilled communicator also works with companies in developing engaging educational content. She has facilitated a number of award-winning training programs that are currently used by the majority of Fortune 100 companies.
In May 2021, Adrienne was recognized in Forbes for developing an impactful webinar on dismantling anti-Asian bias in the workplace.
Crowds + Classrooms
When she’s not elevating conversations on professional development and inclusion, Adrienne makes time to share her knowledge with groups at forums such as South by Southwest (SXSW), The 3% Conference, Women’s Media Center Progressive Women’s Voices, The Better Man Conference, among others. She guest lectures and speaks at colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad, such as UC Berkeley, Stanford Law School, and London School of Economics and Political Science.
Once an adjunct professor at the start of her legal career, Adrienne returned to the classroom in Fall 2023 to teach media law at the University of Southern California.
Author + Writer
After going public in 2017 about the rampant sexual harassment, misogynoir and gender discrimination at her former employer ESPN, and subsequently becoming the first on-air personality to sue the sports network for sexual harassment, Adrienne wrote the business book she would’ve wanted along her journey. Her book, Staying in the Game: The Playbook for Beating Workplace Sexual Harassment, has changed the game—much like its author.
Published by Penguin Random House, the first-of-its-kind survival guide earned Axiom’s 2021 Business Book of the Year Award in the Women and Minorities in Business category. Staying in the Game has been heralded as “a must-read for any woman in any workplace” and designated “[a] highly readable and informative introduction to managing workplace harassment.” Additionally, Adrienne’s book earned two 2021 International Book Awards, winning in the categories of Women’s Issues and Business (Careers).
Adrienne’s coveted insight on gender and racial parity issues and unique legal analysis are frequently cited in leading publications, from the Los Angeles Times to the Chicago Tribune to USA Today. Adrienne also has penned pieces for the Harvard Business Review, The Lily by The Washington Post, Bitch Magazine, and other outlets.
Education
A northern California native, Adrienne graduated high school at the age of 16 after skipping a grade, earning her B.S. cum laude from Cal State Sacramento (Criminal Justice) at the age of 19, an M.A. from City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice (Criminal Law & Procedure with Dean’s Honors), and a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School. After completing her legal education, the rising star clerked for Chief Judge Eric T. Washington of the D.C. Court of Appeals before going on to work for several major law firms.
In May 2015, Adrienne completed the M.A. specialized journalism program at the University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, subsequently putting her thesis on hold to join ESPN as a legal analyst and anchor. After settling her lawsuit against the sports network in 2019, she finished her thesis at USC, receiving her second master’s degree in 2020.
Adrienne’s currently living the life with her partner in California.
