Education: University of Wisconsin Law School
Degree: JD
Year: 1984

Key Practice Experience

• Preventive Employment Counseling
• Non-Compete Litigation
• Shareholder Disputes
• Employment Agreements
• Unfair Labor Practices
• Union Avoidance
• Discrimination Defense
• Policy Design and Training

Key Industry Experience

• Manufacturing
• Financial Services
• Health
• Retail
• Hospitality

Representative Cases/Transactions

• Broadman v. Univita, et al. (FMLA retaliation; client dismissed by plaintiff and indemnified by co-defendant)
• Geving, et al. v. Long Term Care Group, Inc. (FLSA/collective action; opt-in settlement class limited to five individuals)
• Carroll v. Edina Eye Physicians & Surgeons, et al. (minority shareholder and disability discrimination; favorable settlement)
• Primary Surgical v. Smith & Nephew, Inc., et al. (non-competition and tortious interference; injunctive relief vs. clients denied, favorable settlement)
• Key Surgical v. First Step Asset Tracking, LLC, et al. (unfair competition; injunctive relief vs. clients denied, complaint dismissed)
• Carter v. Tennant Company (workers’ compensation retaliation; summary judgment for employer, affirmed on appeal)
• Carney v. Universal Hospital Services, Inc. (gender and sexual orientation discrimination; summary judgment for employer, affirmed on appeal)
• Bemis Company, Inc. v. Frantschach AG, et al. (non-compete and non-disclosure injunction granted for client, favorable settlement)
• Garrido v. Restaurant Technologies, Inc. (FLSA overtime; nominal settlement)
• Bowerman, et al. v. Lenox Group, Inc. (FMLA, ADA discrimination involving unionized employees; nominal settlement)
• Holderness v. GLS Companies, et al. (age, disability discrimination; summary judgment granted)
• GCIU Local 1B (Heinrich Envelope Corporation) (union’s discriminatory enforcement of union security and dues requirements under NLRA; tried to ALJ decision in favor of client)
• Waag v. Thomas Pontiac, et al. (same sex harassment; partial summary judgment for defendants, nominal settlement)
• Aubrecht v. Heinrich Envelope Corporation, et al. (class action sex harassment; partial summary judgment and settlement class limited to 1% of putative group)
• Alamo Rent-A-Car (Paul Lelii) (discriminatory discharge under NLRA; tried to ALJ decision in favor of client)

Professional Recognitions/Honors

• Featured in Minnesota Super Lawyers (Labor and Employment), Minnesota Law & Politics, 1991-2011
• “100 People to Watch”, Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, February 2000
• Minnesota Business Guidebook, Law & Leading Attorneys, 1994/1996
• Leading Minnesota Attorneys, 1997

Selected Publications/Presentations

• “The Union Organizing and Bargaining Landscape Under the New Administration,” ALFA International, November 2010
• “Dealing with U.S. and International Unions and Works Councils,” ALFA International, March 2009
• “Should Employers Rein In Employee Blogging?” Association of Corporate Counsel of America, MN Chapter, September 2008
• “Employer’s Right to Limit Employee’s E-mail Use Upheld,” The Corporate Counselor, December 17, 2007
• “The New Meaning of ‘Supervisor’,” Employee Benefits Planner, First Quarter 2007
• “Scenes from the 27th Floor: Gender Issues in the Legal Workplace,” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2006
• “Card Checks to Unionize Erode Fairness for Workers,” St. Paul Pioneer Press, October 13, 2005
• “Gender Issues in the Legal Workplace,” MN CLE, 2005
• “Avoidable Mistakes and Preventative Strategies: Americans with Disabilities Act Claims,” MILE, February 10, 2000
• “The Competitive Employer: Litigation Strategy and Alternatives,” Minnesota Law & Politics, 1997
• “Selected Employment Law Issues in New Venture Law,” University of St. Thomas, 1996
• “Jury Instructions in Age Discrimination Cases,” MN CLE, 1996
• “Employment Law Issues in the Unionized Workforce,” MILE, 1995
• “Effective Employment Strategies for the Entrepreneurial Employer,” The Collaborative Workshop, 1995
• “New Forms of Sexual Harassment,” Council on Education in Management, 1994

Professional Associations

• Steering Committee, Labor & Employment Practice Group, ALFA International
• Labor & Employment Section, Wisconsin State Bar Association

Community Involvement

• Board and Executive Committee Member, Artspace Projects, Inc.
• Past Board Member, Storefront Group

Bar Admissions

• Minnesota and Wisconsin State Courts
• U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit

Other Education

• B.A., St. Olaf College