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 January 20, 2021, and her term as Commissioner will expire on July 1, 2022.

Prior to joining the EEOC, Ms. Dhillon served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Burlington Stores, Inc., a nationally recognized retailer of high-quality, branded apparel at everyday low prices. Burlington operates over 800 stores across the United States. In her role as General Counsel, Ms. Dhillon was responsible for all aspects of the company’s legal function, and oversaw the risk management group.

Previously, Ms. Dhillon served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of JC Penney Company, Inc. from 2009 to 2015. As General Counsel, Ms. Dhillon was responsible for all facets of the legal function, including corporate securities, transactions, litigation, tax, real estate, labor and employment and regulatory issues. She also oversaw the Company’s Government Affairs function, as well as its Ethics and Compliance group. In addition to her responsibilities at JCPenney, Ms. Dhillon served as Chair of the Board of the Retail Industry Leaders Association’s Retail Litigation Center for two years. The Retail Litigation Center’s mission is to give the retail industry an opportunity to weigh in at the appellate level on legal issues of significance to the industry. In 2014, while at JCPenney, Ms. Dhillon was named Outstanding General Counsel – Large Legal Department – Dallas/Fort Worth, by the Association of Corporate Counsel and D CEO Magazine.

Before joining JCPenney in 2009, Ms. Dhillon served as the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for US Airways Group, Inc. As General Counsel, Ms. Dhillon was responsible for the legal affairs and corporate security functions. During her tenure at US Airways, Ms. Dhillon oversaw the legal aspects of the merger of US Airways and America West Airlines, Inc., and was responsible for integrating the two airlines’ legal departments. In 2008, while at US Airways, Ms. Dhillon was named one of the ten most influential lawyers in Arizona by Arizona Business Magazine.

Ms. Dhillon began her legal career at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, working in its Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. offices.

Ms. Dhillon graduated from UCLA Law School, where she ranked first in her class and was awarded the Order of the Coif. She received her undergraduate degree in History from Occidental College, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Ms. Dhillon lives in Virginia.