Labor & Employment: Minnesota

THE FIRM One of the preeminent labor and employment practices in the state, Briggs handles the full range of matters on behalf of some of Minnesota's biggest employers. A diverse client roster, which includes the likes of the Minnesota Twins baseball franchise, has enabled the team of 24 attorneys to remain buoyant throughout the recession. On the employment side, the team focuses on representing management, while the firm's labor lawyers continue to be busy handling complex class action litigations and labor practice trials.

Sources say: "It has a great reputation for providing strong work at reasonable rates."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ann Huntrods is "a top-notch adviser and an excellent technician" who enjoys a strong reputation for her work on noncompete and discrimination matters. Michael Miller heads the practice and is described as "a professor: when you don't know the answer to a tough problem, you ask him." He has been actively involved in helping the Minnesota Twins with employment matters arising from their relocation to the new Target Field. Gregory Stenmoe is "an established practitioner with great presence in the courtroom," and has recently been involved in defending a national beverage manufacture from EEOC/state human rights claims. Ira Friedrich is "a diligent lawyer with a great demeanor" who enjoys a strong reputation for work on employee benefits and executive compensation. Daniel Wachtler is a labor lawyer with over 30 years' experience, and recent highlights include representing a Minneapolis restaurant in an unfair labor practice trial. Counsel Scott Davies is described as "a legendary practitioner in the field of labor and employment." He has over 25 years' experience in the field and is an increasingly visible presence in alternative dispute resolution.

THE FIRM This team draws on the strength of the firm's corporate practice, and benefits from its position as one of Minnesota's largest firms, meaning that it has the strength in depth to resource some of the larger labor and employment matters. The team, overseen by nine partners, enjoys a strong reputation for its work handling large-scale putative class action lawsuits, and has experienced an uptick in wage and hour disputes across a range of industrial sectors. Head of department Holly Eng recently left the firm to go in-house at Cargill.

Sources say: "Very well respected in Minnesota, with the resources to put together high-value teams which are so effective as to eliminate the need for ongoing legal advice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Now heading the team is Robert Hobbins, "an experienced and well-respected practitioner with a broad practice." Robert Reinhart is "one of the standout lawyers on the scene; a passionate advocate, and an employment defense specialist who really knows his stuff." He represents telecom company Qwest in an ongoing federal FLSA litigation. Roy Ginsburg is "a personable and knowledgeable counselor who conveys a significant level of expertise" in the field of labor and employment law. He recently advised Adeptyx Consulting on a raft of employment claims. Melissa Raphan is "an industrious and bright performer" who focuses on representing employers in employment litigation; along with Robert Reinhart, she is on the team advising Qwest. Douglas Christensen is "a highly skilled attorney with a responsive and practical nature as well as experience in every area of labor and employment law." He is the relationship partner for the labor and employment group at 3M. Joseph Hammell is becoming a widely recognized authority on labor and employment law, with a reputation extending beyond the state. Described as "thorough and responsive with an excellent understanding of clients' business needs," Hammell is currently acting for C. H. Robinson Worldwide in an ongoing suit against several former employees concerning breach of covenant and misappropriation of trade secrets. 

THE FIRM This firm's labor and employment group continues to impress, and is particularly singled out for the strength of its traditional labor group, which focuses mainly on acting for both public and private employers in labor relations and employment law. Recent matters have included contract negotiations, union elections and grievance arbitrations, as well as courtroom defense of a range of claims under Title VII and the FLSA. The team continues to act for hospitals and healthcare providers in and around the Twin Cities area, which has enabled it to remain active in spite of widespread economic uncertainty.

Sources say: "It provided us with excellent representation and forged an honest and open relationship with us, which enabled us to avoid litigation in numerous cases, and saved us dollars."

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Dawson is an employment litigation specialist, and has wide-ranging experience of representing clients before the NLRB. With a strong focus on acting for healthcare consortia, he is described as "an extremely accomplished negotiator who is not only assertive and responsive, but also highly supportive of clients' needs." Paul Zech has handled a number of constitutional law challenges of late, and continues to focus on employment litigation. Described as "an excellent and client-oriented attorney," he is particularly well regarded for his work handling discrimination claims. Sara McGrane is "a passionate advocate who is always well prepared." Her practice encompasses both employment litigation and counseling/risk prevention in the field of labor law. The "practical and accessible" Jan Halverson is praised as a practitioner who "gives concise, clear advice and remains calm and unflustered at all times." He has extensive experience of labor and employment matters in the healthcare arena, particularly discrimination, harassment and related litigation. Penny Phillips is cochair of the labor and employment group, and focuses mainly on counseling and representation of employers. Sources point to her strength in wage and hour issues. 

THE FIRM This firm is well regarded across the upper Midwest in the field of labor and employment, and the fact that it is one of the biggest in Minnesota means that it can resource some large-scale matters. The team employs a double-pronged approach to labor and employment law, with teams handling compliance and counseling and litigation separately. The litigation wing of the practice focuses on representing employers in matters such as collective and class action lawsuits, reduction in force, wage and hour litigation and noncompetition covenants, while the compliance team advises on fast-changing laws affecting the workplace.

Sources say: "A team with a strong reputation and a wide array of expertise."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "extremely pragmatic" Charles Knapp continues to focus on defending employers in claims relating to various workplace issues, such as wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment and breach of contract. He represented Brunswick and Lund Boat in a class action lawsuit brought by 300 employees alleging improper denial of accrued vacation time. Kathlyn Noecker concentrates on advising employers on laws that affect the workplace, and is highly regarded for the quality of her advice. She serves as counsel to 3M on employment matters relating to M&A.

THE FIRM This team provides strategic advice to companies across Minnesota and beyond, and is particularly well regarded for its work helping unionized companies maintain constructive union/management relationships, and for its work helping nonunionized companies retain their nonunion status. As well as acting for local and national corporations, the team lists several privately held businesses on its diverse client roster. Recent matters have included wage and hour disputes, whistle-blower litigation and OSHA matters. The team is increasingly involved in alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

Sources say: "Very responsive; you get the sense that, when you work with this group, you're its most important client."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ellen Sampson is described as "the matriarch of employment law." An increasingly prominent figure in ADR, she has also litigated numerous tort, statutory and contract employment claims. Dominic Cecere chairs the labor and employment group, and continues to focus his practice on labor relations, contract negotiations and litigation. Joel Abrahamson is a well-regarded labor and employment attorney with experience that encompasses ADR as well as litigation before state and federal courts. He recently successfully defended Intek Plastics in a discrimination and retaliation claim brought by a former employee alleging contravention of the Human Rights Act and the ADA.  

THE FIRM The strength of this firm's corporate practice ensures a healthy flow of work to the labor and employment group. Of late, the team has been handling matters relating to immigration, compensation and employee benefits, noncompetition covenants and trade secrets. The team acts for companies both in defense and prosecution, as well as appearing in arbitrations and mediations on labor and employment matters.

Sources say: "A strong business firm with a full-service labor and employment practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Karen Schanfield is "a very strong adviser" when it comes to employment counseling, and is highly regarded for her work representing healthcare providers throughout Minnesota on the full range of labor and employment matters. Richard Ross is "a pillar of the labor and employment community;" with wide-ranging experience of handling claims of harassment, discrimination, breach of contractual terms of employment and severance agreements. The "skilled and articulate" Anne Radolinski advises employers, directors and managers in relation to all areas of employment law, while Robert Boisvert is a "practical, articulate and creative practitioner with a broad spectrum of expertise" in labor and employment. With a strong reputation for his work on hiring and firing, harassment and discipline, Boisvert also counsels employers on employee handbooks and confidentiality agreements.

THE FIRM This labor and employment group draws on the strength of the firm's franchising expertise. Membership of the Employment Law Alliance enables the team to benefit from the expertise of a worldwide network of 3,000 lawyers and handle matters in multiple jurisdictions. The team has handled an increased amount of litigation in the past twelve months, acting both for defendants and plaintiffs across a broad spectrum of employment matters.

Sources say: "The lawyers impress with exceptional client service, speed of turnaround and an impressive knowledge base across a range of issues."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Judith Langevin is "a great lawyer who is especially strong on employment defense," according to sources. She heads the labor and employment group at the firm, and is particularly well regarded for her work defending employers from claims of discrimination, wage and hour claims and those of wrongful termination.

THE FIRM This national firm's Minneapolis office is considered a go-to labor and employment boutique in Minnesota, and has particular expertise in matters relating to benefits. In the past twelve months, the team has handled an increased flow of employment litigation, with emphasis on claims of discrimination, seasonal migrant workers' protection and overtime. A diverse client roster includes the Minnesota Wild hockey franchise.

Sources say: "A strong boutique labor and employment firm that does a lot of things very well."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Marko Mrkonich is "a passionate advocate" who is also president of the firm. He focuses his practice on discrimination claims, and has handled a number of them in the past twelve months.

THE FIRM This team employs a triple-pronged approach to labor and employment, providing a service that defends employers in litigation, counsels employers to avoid litigation and oversees labor/management relations. Its diverse caseload includes matters relating to discrimination, wage and hour disputes, ERISA litigation and equal opportunity litigation. The team is well regarded across the state and the upper Midwest. A strong litigation practice means that the team can resource large-scale labor and employment matters, as well as those for smaller and midsized companies.

Sources say: "The group combines an investigative culture with full mastery of the details of any case."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Howard Tarkow is "a fast, efficient and thorough practitioner with an invaluable level of knowledge of labor law." His practice encompasses the full range of employment advice, and he offers litigation, counseling and labor/management advice. Jessica Pecoraro is "a passionate advocate and an accomplished adviser" who acts for employers across the board on employment law.