JaVon A. Payton Stevenson, J.D.

Hailing “straight outta” Compton, California, JaVon is an attorney at Jackson Lewis, P.C., a national tier 1 employer defense law firm.  JaVon has been recognized by the National Black Lawyers as one of the top 100 lawyers in California since 2019.  She has also been named as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for 2021. JaVon specializes in representing employers on traditional labor law issues, which include collective bargaining negotiations, unfair labor practice charges, and election campaigns.  Additionally, she defends employers against discrimination, retaliation, and harassment claims.  JaVon earned her law degree (J.D.) at Vanderbilt University Law School in Nashville, Tennessee.

Aside from her legal expertise, JaVon has a passion for studying unique and creative ways on how people communicate to promote change in society. She volunteers as a judge for the American Moot Court Association, providing feedback to college students on how to effectively craft arguments on constitutional issues.  JaVon also sits on the Board of Advisors of the First Amendment Studies Program at CSULB, a platform designed to help students express their views and opinions to the full extent of their First Amendment rights. JaVon graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Long Beach (“CSULB”), with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies, focusing on communication, culture and public affairs.

As a member of Healthy Heart Nation, JaVon is dedicated to serving the needs of her African American community.  She has appeared on panels to discuss career goals for young African American professionals and recently held the Diversity and Inclusion Associate Chair position at her firm. Currently, JaVon is in the process of writing a book on marriage for Black women. In her free time, JaVon enjoys going on weekend getaways with her husband and spoiling her pug dog, Harald.