Sibley County Employment Lawyers

Shawn J. Wanta has dedicated his career to championing workplace equity and individual rights through class and collective actions. As the Managing Member of Wanta Thome, Shawn exemplifies principled leadership through his deft navigation of complex and individual litigation. His authentic understanding, strategic alignment with clients' goals, and relentless pursuit of excellence have solidified his reputation as a formidable advocate for employees facing workplace injustice. Recognized for his skill in challenging cases, Shawn vigorously defends the rights of individuals and communities, ensuring their legal protections are enforced in trials and other legal settings. His nuanced grasp of employment law intricacies has...

A well-known Minnesota employment lawyer and civil rights attorney, Joshua Newville is the litigation leader at Halunen Law, where he litigates employment cases on behalf of employees. Mr. Newville has successfully litigated high-profile disputes and obtained favorable recoveries for his clients. His achievements include winning marriage equality in South Dakota and securing precedent-setting legal protection for undocumented Minnesotans. He has also served as outside general counsel, officer, and board member at a multi-state manufacturing business. A Rule 114 Qualified Neutral, Mr. Newville mediates cases, conducts internal investigations, and resolves workplace disputes. In addition to teaching, he contributes to the legal profession by...

Scott Moriarity litigates complex employment and class action disputes throughout the United States, helping clients vindicate their rights against large, well-funded adversaries. He has formulated winning strategies in major employment and products liability litigation and achieved lasting results for his clients. Scott also handles ERISA benefit disputes and advises key employees about their executive compensation and benefits.

I represent clients in a wide variety of labor & employment law, civil rights, and nonprofit law matters in Minnesota and across the Midwest. My work includes litigating client cases involving: * Contract claims * Whistleblower or other retaliation claims * Pay claims * Harassment claims * False Claims Act or other fraud claims * Leave claims * Non-compete claims * Fiduciary duty claims * Mass layoff claims * Unfair business practice claims * Discrimination claims * Benefits claims * Constitutional claims In addition to providing responsive, principled, and effective representation to clients regarding their claims, I develop the law in the public interest as amicus curiae counsel in high-profile cases.

Andrew Parker, Founding Partner/Attorney, Parker Daniels Kibort.

Professional Experience:
• Founded Parker Daniels Kibort – 2017-present.
• Founded Parker Rosen – 2005-2017.
• Founded Smith Parker – 1995-2005.
• Shareholder Popham Haik Law Firm – 1988-1995.
• Selected by peers as top 5% of all lawyers in the State of Minnesota each year 1998 to present.
• Chair, 30 attorney Labor and Employment Practice Group, Popham Haik Law Firm.
• Lead trial counsel on numerous successful multi-million-dollar litigation matters involving civil rights violations, defamation, and contract and employment disputes.
• Represented some of largest employers in State of Minnesota, including University of Minnesota, City of Minneapolis and the Metropolitan Council as defendants and numerous senior executives and...

Joni champions the rights of employees in cases involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and whistleblower issues, fueled by a passion for giving a voice to the oppressed within the workplace. As an exceptional advocate for her clients is Joni consistently demonstrates her ability to truly understand her clients unique situations through authentic listening. Joni takes the time to truly understand each client’s unique situation and objectives, crafting personalized legal strategies that align with their specific goals, enabling her to advocate for them in the most impactful and effective manner possible. Her work as an attorney has included groundbreaking wins, that...

Nicholas DeMaris is passionate about protecting the rights of employees who have been discriminated against, retaliated against, or harassed in the workplace. During his time at the University of Iowa College of Law, Nicholas served as an Articles Editor on the Iowa Law Review and as a clinical law student in the Employment Law practice group representing workers in employment related disputes.

Paul Lelii has been a legal advisor to his community since 2004. Mr. Lelii is able to offer legal services for a wide variety of cases; however, Mr. Lelii’s primary focus is on employer WAGE THEFT and employment discrimination. Additionally, Mr. Lelii represents victims that have suffered severe personal injuries as a result of the negligence of others. Mr. Lelii knows your time is valuable and that your case is important, which is why he is committed to getting you results as quickly as possible but maximizing your recovery.

PRACTICE AREAS
Civil Litigation, General Business, Contract Disputes, Appeals, Family Law, Employment Law, Construction Law

Mary Hahn has honed her skills in the courtroom over the last 25 years, specializing in civil litigation and appellate law, in particular multi-party business litigation, construction law, business contract disputes and divorce proceedings.

She practices in State District Courts and in Federal Court. She has substantial appellate law experience. She serves as the firm’s primary practitioner at the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION

Prior to moving to Northfield in 2000, Hahn practiced law at the Atlanta construction law firm of Shapiro, Fussel, Wedge, Smotherman, Martin & Price.

Hahn...

Christopher T. Porter represents businesses and creative individuals in commercial litigation, intellectual property matters, sales representative litigation, and employment law matters. Christopher, a passionate litigator and intellectual property attorney, zealously advocates for his clients and provides practical guidance to help maximize each client's legal rights and recoveries. Since graduating from the University of Minnesota Law School, Christopher has worked as an attorney with Trepanier MacGillis Battina P.A. His experiences range from trademark applications and pre-trial motion practice to client engagement, mediation, and contract review and drafting.

Bryan R. Battina represents businesses and individuals in commercial litigation, real estate litigation, and employment law matters. Bryan, a seasoned litigator and trial attorney, brings passion, tenacity and hard earned wisdom to his advocacy for clients. He is results driven and seeks to efficiently and effectively resolve disputes for his clients. After graduating from William Mitchell College of Law, Bryan worked as an associate in-house counsel with the Beltmann Group Incorporated before becoming a sole practitioner to pursue his passion for trial work. Bryan co-founded Bock & Battina, LLP and later founded Battina Law, PLLC before joining Trepanier MacGillis...

James C. MacGillis is a business attorney focusing on the corporate, employment, and litigation needs of entrepreneurs and growing businesses. Jim prides himself on exceeding his clients’ expectations by addressing their legal concerns promptly, efficiently, and effectively. His responsiveness, creativity, and ability to efficiently evaluate, advise, and advocate for his clients has earned him the respect of his peers, as Jim was named a 2006, 2009 and 2010 Rising Star by Minnesota Super Lawyers magazine. Jim graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1997, where he was a managing editor for the Minnesota Law Review. Jim earned a...

I am a Minnesota employment law attorney (V. John Ella) practicing in the areas of employment defense, executive law, non-compete and trade secret litigation, breach of duty of loyalty litigation, tortious interference, executive compensation, stock options, defamation, employment contracts, employment agreements, handbooks, drug testing law, privacy law, commission claims, fraud, sexual harassment claims, employment and housing discrimination, ERISA benefits litigation, public accommodations under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act and state law, wage and hour compliance, whistleblower and Sarbanes-Oxley claims, professional licensing issues, appeals, manufacturer sales representative contracts, and closely-held corporation and partnership disputes. I am also...

Joseph Gangi is a Mankato-area trial and appellate lawyer. Give Joseph a call today: 507-625-2525.

Brendan leads the firm’s labor law practice. He has handled numerous judicial, administative, and arbitration proceedings, including many high-profile appellate cases. Brendan also has drafted legislation and policies adopted by State and Local governments, and he routinely develops cutting-edge organizing strategies for the firm’s union clients. Brendan has served on the Governing Council of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law Section. He also has taught at Northwestern University School of Law, the University of Minnesota Law School, and William Mitchell College of Law. In addition, Brendan has published articles in the American Bar Association Journal of Labor &...

Beth E. Bertelson is the founder of Bertelson Law Offices, P.A., located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Focusing her practice on labor and employment law, she represents employees in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and throughout Minnesota in litigation and pre-litigation negotiations in matters involving severance, employment and noncompete agreements, and related issues. Certified as a specialist in labor and employment law by the Minnesota State Bar Association, Ms. Bertelson also mediates employment disputes and has been designated as a "qualified neutral" under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice for the District Courts. She also assists clients in a...

Jerri Adams Belcher is a fearless and tenacious advocate for employees’ rights. She represents individuals who have experienced discrimination, retaliation, and harassment in the workplace. Prior to joining Engelmeier & Umanah, P.A. Jerri litigated and tried employment, insurance, and construction-defect cases. During law school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she developed her advocacy skills as a judicial intern for then Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Further, she completed externships at the Wisconsin Department of Justice in its Civil Litigation unit, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Washington, D.C. Jerri also...

HOW I HELP I support employees separating from employment under less than ideal circumstances, provide guidance to business owners experiencing messy business divorces or other legal challenges, and support small employers by providing on-demand employment advice. MY EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE I am an experienced trial lawyer--having conducted multiple trials before both state and federal juries. I am also an experienced litigator, negotiator, and advisor with extensive experience in Minnesota's state and federal courts, as well as courts across the country. I have represented both businesses and individuals in wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, non-competition, and non-solicitation cases; fought on behalf of companies...

I practiced criminal law in California for 16 years and continue to practice criminal law in both the State and Federal Courts in Minnesota. I was honored as an attorney of the year from the San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association in 2002. I have handled and tried cases to juries in everything from petty theft, DWI, and minor drug cases to very serious robberies, burglaries and homicides. I have won numerous cases and most recently won a felony sexual assault appeal and then won the jury retrial in the case in Washington County Minnesota in 2010. I...

Christopher D. Jozwiak is a skilled litigator who has won striking victories on behalf of his clients in a diverse range of employment issues. He is a founding partner of Baillon Thome Jozwiak & Wanta LLP and has been recognized as a Rising Star since 2011 and a Super Lawyer since 2014 and was named to the Best Lawyers in America 2018 list for his work in employment law. Chris works tirelessly for his clients in cases involving whistleblower retaliation, sexual harassment, wage and hour violations, reprisal, discrimination, and wrongful termination. He also represents employees and consumers in national class...

I'm a trial lawyer. I'm grateful for the opportunity to fight for justice on behalf of individuals going through hard times against some of the largest corporations in the country.

After law school, I joined the Marine Corps and served as a judge advocate. There's no better training ground for a trial lawyer - I tried over 100 felony and misdemeanor cases. I'm proud of the results I got, including one of the first successful defenses of a Marine discriminated against based on sexual orientation. I deployed to Iraq in a nation building capacity to work with...

I was born and raised in Illinois and spent my undergraduate years at the University of Alabama. (Roll Tide!) I graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Political Science. Afterward, I moved back north to attend the University of Minnesota Law School, where I earned my degree in 2023. I am currently admitted to practice law in the state of Minnesota. During my time in law school, I served as the co-President of the University’s chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. I was also involved with the Latinx Law Students Association (LLSA), OutLaw, and participated in clinics with the Binger...

Barton C. Gernander is a partner at Burns & Hansen, P.A., who practices in the areas of civil and commercial litigation, with a focus in construction and real estate issues. In addition to representing business clients involved in standard and complex litigation in both state and federal courts, he serves emerging and mid-size companies in a general counsel capacity - assisting clients on achieving business solutions while minimizing exposure to liability. Gernander is licensed to practice law in the state and federal courts in Minnesota, the United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Eleventh Circuit Court of...

Wil H. Florin was born in Salzburg, Austria and raised in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He received his B.A. from Ball State University. He obtained his Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law in 1980. Wil was recently selected to serve a four (4) year term as a member of the Stetson University Board of Trustees. In addition, he is serving his second three (3) year term as a member of the Stetson University College of Law Board of Overseers.

In October 2018, Wil became only the 89th inductee to the Stetson University College of Law’s Hall of Fame in the...

Barry O’Neil is a trial attorney, who is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the Minnesota Bar Association. Mr. O’Neil’s practice involves the resolution of complex commercial disputes, professional liability claims, employment-related issues and insurance claims. A significant portion of Mr. O’Neil’s practice is in the area of professional liability defense with emphasis in legal malpractice. Mr. O’Neil is the practice group manager of the firm’s Trials and Litigation Practice Group, and he also heads Lommen Abdo’s entertainment litigation initiative. Mr. O’Neil has extensive experience in employment litigation including all types of employment discrimination claims, and he has additionally acted...

Holden Law Firm, is a private law practice with a focus on Employment Law (for employers and employees), based in the Twin Cities. Holden Law Firm represents employees and small businesses with employment law matters. Holden Law Firm provides legal advice about all areas of employment law, including employment contracts, severance agreements, independent contractor agreements, non-competition agreements, executive contracts, resolving discrimination/harassment employee complaints, discipline, terminations, leaves, wage and hour, employee handbooks and policies, EEOC charges, and other employment law matters. From our office in Minnetonka I serve clients in Minneapolis, Saint Paul and the surrounding communities. Give us a call at 952-943-3960 or...

He has worked as an investigator, public prosecutor and private counsel. Mr. Neff has served on the Hennepin County Public Defender's Conflicts Panel, the Hennepin County Juvenile Justice Panel, and various bar association committees. He handles complex litigation including multi-district litigation, wrongful death, large employment cases and qui tam cases.

Michelle Gibbons practices exclusively on behalf of employees who have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other unlawful treatment in the workplace. While in law school, Michelle honed her legal skills as Associate Editor-in-Chief of the Mitchell Hamline Law Review. She also worked as a Judicial Law Clerk in Ramsey County district court and completed over 150 hours of volunteer work through the Minnesota Justice Foundation’s Law School Public Service Program.

In 2012 and 2015, Minnesota Super Lawyers recognized Matt as a “Rising Star,” which is an honor that less than three percent of Minnesota’s young attorneys earn. In 2014, the National Trial Lawyers recognized Matt as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer for his exemplary leadership, reputation, influence, stature and profile as civil trial lawyer.

Anna focuses her practice on family law matters, including divorce, adoption, custody, parenting time/visitation, grandparent visitation, and paternity and estate planning and probate matters, including wills, trusts, health care directives, and powers of attorney. She also represents clients in the areas of employment law and business law. Anna obtained her Bachelor of Science from Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota in 2004 and obtained her Juris Doctorate from Hamline University School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 2008.

During law school, Anna served on the Hamline Law Review and maintained her presidential merit scholarship. Prior to joining Tentinger...

Bob served as the Minneapolis City Attorney for nearly two decades, advising all elected and appointed officers, department heads, and employees. As City Attorney, he also litigated numerous cases and served as labor relations and licensing counsel. In addition, Bob has served as President of the International Municipal Lawyers Association and the Minnesota Municipal Lawyers Association as well as an Administrative Law Judge for the State of Minnesota. In private practice, Bob has focused on both public sector and private sector labor and employment matters.

John is the founder of the Minneapolis employment and civil rights litigation firm of John A. Klassen, P.A. He received law degrees from the University of British Columbia (1992) and Seattle University (1993). Since 1994, John has practiced exclusively in the areas of employment and civil rights law. He has represented employees and victims of civil rights violations throughout the United States, in the areas of harassment and discrimination law, False Claims Act/Qui Tam claims, whistleblower law, wage and hour disputes, class action claims, employment contract disputes, and sexual abuse. Employees consult with him on a regular...

Frances E. Baillon is a recognized advocate for those who have been treated unfairly by the illegal practices of employers. A founding partner of Baillon Thome Jozwiak & Wanta LLP, Frances litigates and tries employment cases in state and federal court involving sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation. She has also successfully argued cases before the Minnesota state and federal district courts, the Minnesota Court of Appeals, the Minnesota Supreme Court, and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Frances has consistently been named to the lists of Super Lawyers and Rising Stars by her peers and has made the lists...

Adam's work focuses on representation of labor organizations in Federal and State court, in administrative proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board, and in arbitrations of labor disputes. He also provides strategic advice to labor organizations in various non-litigation matters. In addition, Adam handles employment discrimination and wage issues. Before coming to the firm, Adam interned at the Regional Office of the National Labor Relations Board.

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Jack E. Pierce is a Minnesota-based lawyer with the firm Bernick Lifson. His areas of focus include business and real estate litigation. In addition to trial experience, he has argued cases before federal courts of appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court. Trials he has participated in have covered issues related to employment and shareholder disputes, construction defects, and real estate disagreements. In his work, Jack places an emphasis on advising clients on how to avoid litigation, as a means to avoid going to trial in court. In his free time, Jack enjoys volunteering at a local high school as a...