Hon. Janet Dhillon

Janet Dhillon was sworn in as Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on May 15, 2019.  She was the 16th Chair of the EEOC.  Ms. Dhillon was first nominated by President Donald J. Trump on June 29, 2017 and confirmed on May 8, 2019.  Her term as Chair ended on Jan. 20, 2021.

Ms. Dhillon practiced law in the private sector for over 25 years before being nominated by President Trump.  Prior to joining the EEOC, Ms. Dhillon served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Burlington Stores, Inc.  Previously, Ms. Dhillon served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of JC Penney Company, Inc., and before that, as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of US Airways Group, Inc.

Ms. Dhillon was named Outstanding General Counsel – Large Legal Department – Dallas/Fort Worth in 2014 by the American Corporate Counsel Association and D CEO Magazine.  She was also the recipient of the Corporate Counsel Diversity Award by the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association in 2012, and awarded the Public Interest Award by the Burton Awards for Legal Achievement in 2012.  Ms. Dhillon was named one of the “Ten Most Influential Lawyers” in Arizona by the Arizona Business Magazine in 2008.  Ms. Dhillon previously served on the Board of Directors of the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and the Dallas branch of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).

Ms. Dhillon began her legal career at the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where she practiced for 13 years.  She is a graduate of Occidental College, magna cum laude, and the UCLA School of Law, where she graduated first in her class.  She is a member of the California, District of Columbia and Texas bars.  Ms. Dhillon lives in Virginia.