Adriana R. Joens

ADRIANA R. JOENS

ASSOCIATE

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Tele: (202) 689-1200 | Fax: (202) 689-1209
ajoens@fortneyscott.com

Adriana Joens is an Associate with 25 years of experience in the legal field, including paralegal (10 years) and compliance specialist (15 years) positions.


Ms. Joens works closely with employers to provide counsel and guidance on a broad spectrum of workplace issues, including: wage & hour matters; compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and other EEO laws; navigating the recent Administration changes relating to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA); investigations of workplace misconduct; federal contractor obligations, and the development of workplace policies that comply with state and federal law. 


Ms. Joens has extensive knowledge and experience in matters regarding the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA) and Davis-Bacon Act (DBA).  She advises and represents clients in applying FLSA, SCA, and DBA during self-audits, or audits brought on by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s Wage and Hour Division.  She also works closely with clients to implement and develop policies and practices that comply with the prevailing wage and benefit requirements of the SCA and DBA. Recently, Ms. Joens has assisted clients in securing SCA conformances for jobs that were not listed in the SCA Occupational Directory; successfully representing and closing DOL wage and hour audits with no violations, navigating the prevailing wage obligations under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs, Inflation Reduction, and CHIPS Acts; advising clients through self-audits in complying with SCA and DBA prevailing wage requirements; maintaining a DBA database of wage determinations and conformance rates in preparation for nationwide work under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; and providing support in FortneyScott successfully negotiating regional rates for an SCA nationwide contract.

Firm Practices


Admitted to Practice

  • District of Columbia


Education

  • Creighton University School of Law (J.D.) 
  • Creighton University (M.S., Public Policy)
  • University of Nebraska – Omaha (B.A.) 
October 23, 2025
Understanding that everyone is going into Q4, which is the kickoff of your merit and compensation cycles, we want to support those compliance efforts. Join FortneyScott attorneys and our guest speaker, Rick Holt from Resolution Economics, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at noon EDT for a discussion on strategies for reviewing compensation decisions under the governing legal standards and the Trump Administration’s enforcement priorities.  We will focus on discussing: Changes in legal enforcements; Legal considerations for conducting pay analyses; Recommendations on refreshing analysis models; and, Remediation strategies.
October 7, 2025
On Tuesday, December 2, at 2pm EST , join attorneys from Novus Law Firm and FortneyScott and an I/O Psychologist from DCI as we discuss the scope of data being requested by the federal government and how to ensure that your institution is prepared. To register for this webinar, please CLICK HERE . Higher Education continues to be targeted by the Administration’s enforcement efforts to ensure compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. Employment and admissions practices are subject to increased scrutiny by multiple federal agencies. For instance, both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Health & Human Services (HHS) have issued Civil Investigation Demand (CID) letters requiring the submission of voluminous data and documents. These investigations pose significant risks, including potential civil and criminal lability, and the loss of federal contracts and grants. Additionally, the Department of Education (ED) has proposed major changes to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) which, if implemented, would require institutions to report up to six years of detailed admissions data including applicant demographics and admissions criteria for undergraduate and graduate programs. Given this rapidly changing legal compliance landscape, higher education institutions should be prepared for government investigations that scrutinize wide-ranging practices, including those related to employment, admissions, and compensation.  We will cover: Responding to federal agency investigations, which can include CIDs & scope of data production How to prepare for a potential investigation How the proposed IPED revisions may impact reporting burdens How federal agencies may use and share institute data Prospective data analytics that should be conducted
October 1, 2025
Understanding that everyone is going into Q4, which is the kickoff of your merit and compensation cycles, we want to support those compliance efforts. Join FortneyScott attorneys and our guest speaker, Rick Holt from Resolution Economics, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at noon EDT for a discussion on strategies for reviewing compensation decisions under the governing legal standards and the Trump Administration’s enforcement priorities. We will focus on discussing: Changes in legal enforcements; Legal considerations for conducting pay analyses; Recommendations on refreshing analysis models; and, Remediation strategies.  To register for FortneyScott’s Workplace Legal Compliance training series, please click here .
September 18, 2025
Federal policies under the Trump Administration are reshaping workplaces nationwide. Employers must stay ahead of evolving laws and shifting EEOC priorities. Join FortneyScott attorneys on Thursday, September 18th at noon EDT to learn the key steps organizations should take now to ensure compliance with EEO laws influenced by these broader policy changes. Key Topics to be Covered Include: Status of the Commission and what to expect once there is a restored quorum; Current EEOC priorities , including protecting religious liberties, eliminating unlawful DEI, and reshaping sex discrimination; Notable EEOC enforcement actions, updates, and emerging trends; and Actionable strategies and key takeaways to ensure compliance with Title VII, the PWFA, etc . This webinar is the first in a four-part series designed for compliance professionals, in-house counsel, HR and inclusion leaders, and other business leaders responsible for labor and employment law compliance.
September 4, 2025
Federal policies under the Trump Administration are reshaping workplaces nationwide. Employers must stay ahead of evolving laws and shifting EEOC priorities. Join FortneyScott attorneys on Thursday, September 18 th at noon EDT to learn the key steps organizations should take now to ensure compliance with EEO laws influenced by these broader policy changes. Key Topics to be Covered Include: Status of the Commission and what to expect once there is a restored quorum; Current EEOC priorities , including protecting religious liberties, eliminating unlawful DEI, and reshaping sex discrimination; Notable EEOC enforcement actions, updates, and emerging trends; and Actionable strategies and key takeaways to ensure compliance with Title VII, the PWFA, etc. This webinar is the first in a four-part series designed for compliance professionals, in-house counsel, HR and inclusion leaders, and other business leaders responsible for labor and employment law compliance. To register for FortneyScott’s Workplace Legal Compliance training series, please click here .
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