Helsell Fetterman Welcomes Onik’a Gilliam


Education and Employment Practice Groups Strengthened with Hire

Onik’a Gilliam has joined Helsell Fetterman and practices in the firm’s education and employment practice groups. Onik’a brings over eighteen years of legal experience, primarily in the litigation and labor and employment practice areas.  Her practice at Helsell Fetterman will focus primarily on defending educational organizations, both public and private, and other entities, in a wide range of civil litigation matters, with an emphasis on employment-based and negligence claims.  In addition, she will provide training and guidance on employment best practices and conduct investigations.

Onik’a has practiced in Washington for the past seven years following a move from the island of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where her practice extended to all aspects of civil litigation before the U.S. District (Federal) and Territorial Courts in defense of corporate clients in varying tort and employment matters.  Prior to her work in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Onik’a served almost two years as a Staff Attorney for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Onik’a received her B.A. in Theater and Film from Evergreen State College before attending Northeastern University School of Law.