For over thirty years Joni M. Thome has focused her practice working on behalf of employees who have been wrongfully terminated from their jobs due to discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation. Joni is a founding member of Wanta Thome PLC. Joni consistently obtains positive results for her clients through court awards and settlements and is well known for her advocacy and commitment to employee rights.
Best Employment Lawyers in Minnesota
Joseph Osterbauer
Employment Lawyer
Joe Osterbauer was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School, St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, and received his law degree in 1990 from the William Mitchell College of Law. While going to law school, Mr. Osterbauer clerked at the Cody Law Firm in St. Paul. Upon graduation, Mr. Osterbauer worked with the Taylor Law Firm in Minneapolis for a year and a half.
He then founded the Osterbauer Law Firm in the summer of 1992. Mr. Osterbauer is recognized as one of the top attorneys in MN and practices in the areas of workers’ compensation and personal injury.
At Osterbauer Law Firm, we have a strong belief in the relationship between our lawyers and our clients. With twenty years of experience to offer, our clients have full confidence in us with all of their legal services. We represent people and their families in many types of legal matters, but we have learned to develop our skills with Personal Injury as well as Workers’ Compensation Claims. We provide free initial consultations, and there are no fees for any legal services unless we recover. Our goal is to meet your legal needs and continue our legacy of service to our community. Regardless of the size of matter, we are committed to our clients and will dedicate our knowledge and expertise to finding a solution.
Kenneth H. Bayliss III
Employment Lawyer
Ken is an experienced trial attorney who has tried cases throughout Minnesota. He is also an accomplished appellate advocate, having argued more than 70 appellate cases in state and federal courts. Much of his practice includes the defense of governmental entities, including counties, townships, and cities, but he also represents individuals and businesses in a wide range of disputes, including cases involving professional liability, land use planning, auto liability, premises liability, personal injury, construction defects, property damage, and business disputes.
He has been active in professional organizations and has served on Minnesota Supreme Court Rules Committees and State Bar Section Governing Councils (Civil and Appellate). He is a regular speaker at professional conferences and has spoken to lawyers and the business community about many different areas of the law, including: Government Immunities, Evidence, Legal Writing, Construction Litigation, Insurance Coverage, and Land Use Planning.
Education
- University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- J.D. – 1984
- St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota
- B.A. – 1981
- Honors: cum laude
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 1984
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1985
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1995
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2001
Joni M. Thome
Employment Lawyer
Education
- Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, MN, J.D.; Journal of Law and Policy, Associate
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, B.A.
Lawrence P. Schaefer
Employment Lawyer
Larry has earned a reputation as a lawyer who assists clients in every way possible to best recover from the effects of illegal workplace conduct. He has represented numerous executives in severance negotiations and litigation. He was lead counsel in a case establishing the “just cause” standard for termination in Minnesota on behalf of a former Cargill Vice President, securing a judgment of more than $500,000 and establishing the legal principal that just cause is not present unless there is some form of misconduct.
In his free time, Larry enjoys golfing, bicycling, attending sporting events and traveling with his wife, Toni.
Areas of Practice:
- Employment Litigation
- Class Action
- Multi-Plaintiff Cases
- Executive Severance
Tara Jensen
Employment Lawyer
Tara Jensen represents individuals in litigation and negotiation of a wide range of employment and civil rights matters involving discrimination, retaliation and whistleblower, sexual harassment and assault, and medical malpractice.
With over 15 years of employment law experience, Tara recognizes that discrimination takes many forms and is often quite subtle. She is creative in her approach to advocacy and is accustomed to navigating highly complex employment matters.
Tara began her practice in New York where she worked as a litigation partner and attorney for two reputable labor and employment firms. She represented labor unions and individual employees in all areas of labor and workplace disputes, including discrimination, retaliation, and wage and hour violations. She is a skilled litigator with experience practicing before state and federal trial and appellate courts, administrative agencies, and in mediation and arbitration proceedings.
Before entering private practice, Tara served as a law clerk for the Honorable Ronald L. Ellis of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and a Civil Rights Litigation Fellow at Bernabei & Wachtel, a civil rights firm in Washington, D.C.
Tara graduated from the City University of New York School of Law w
Ben Kwan
Employment Lawyer
In or out of the courtroom, Ben Kwan’s innate ability to share a compelling story drives his client advocacy. Prior to law school, he put that talent to use as a television news anchor and reporter with CBS and FOX affiliates in Michigan and working with a South African national news network in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
As a Partner and Founder of Haller Kwan LLP, Ben primarily represents employees who have been treated illegally in the workplace. Clients and colleagues welcome his strong voice, patient listening skills, and creative legal mind. He’s a dynamic advocate for wrongfully terminated employees, those thrust into a whistleblower role, and those who have experienced discrimination and retaliation. Ben also counsels employees facing various other legal dilemmas including exit counseling, severance negotiations, non-compete advice, and other employment contracts.
Ben’s empathy for workers was nurtured from an early age. “My father is an immigrant from China. He arrived with the proverbial ‘nothing but the clothes on his back.’ To him, work was the only path to a better life and – quite frankly – dignity. To this day, my father serves as a role model for my advocacy. Work in restaurants was his path to dignity and meaning.”
Understanding the indignities caused by discrimination or losing a job, Ben works hard to put clients first, and at ease. To him, it’s personal. Spending extra time to ensure a client understands the legal process, making the additional phone call or sending the detailed email, are all part of Ben’s commitment to help his clients move forward with their lives.
Shifa Alkhatib
Employment Lawyer
Ms. Shifa Alkhatib is the managing partner of our Phoenix, Arizona office. Ms. Alkhatib represents employees in all aspects of employment law matters. Prior to joining HKM Employment Attorneys, she served as a Public Defender for Maricopa County where she gained extensive jury trial experience. Ms. Alkhatib graduated from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law in 2013. As a student, she worked with the Arizona Justice Project, the ACLU, and the Clark County Public Defender’s Office. Ms. Alkhatib also interned for an international NGO that advocated for prisoners rights. Ms. Alkhatib is a board member for the Homeless Legal Assistance Project and the Treasurer of the Central Arizona National Lawyers Guild.
Areas of Practice:
- Employment Law
- Criminal Defense
Education:
- Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, ASU
Concentration in International and Transnational Law
Post Conviction Relief Law Clinic
International Law Fellow - Arizona State University (B.A. Global Studies and Certificate in Arabic)
FRANCES BAILLON
Employment Lawyer
Frances E. Baillon is a recognized advocate for those who have been treated unfairly by the illegal practices of employers. 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 of Top 50 Minnesota Women Super Lawyers, Top 100 Minnesota Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America repeatedly. She is a certified employment law specialist, serves as a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure and as a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association’s Eighth Circuit Conference Board. Frances formerly served on the Governing Council of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law Section and was the former president and former amicus committee chair of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association.
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN, J.D.; Rosalie E. Wahl Moot Court Competition, Competitor and Board Member
- Drake University, Des Moines, IA, B.A. in English
Admissions
- Minnesota Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
Having the best employment lawyers in Minnesota can offer several advantages for both employees and employers. Employment lawyers play a crucial role in ensuring that workplace rights and regulations are upheld. Here are some of the advantages of having top-notch employment lawyers in Minnesota and their key roles and duties:
Advantages:
Legal Expertise: Employment lawyers are well-versed in employment laws and regulations at both the federal and state levels, ensuring their clients receive informed and expert legal counsel.
Conflict Resolution: They can help resolve workplace disputes, potentially avoiding costly litigation and maintaining a harmonious work environment.
Compliance: Employment lawyers assist employers in understanding and complying with employment laws, helping them avoid legal issues.
Protection of Employee Rights: For employees, employment lawyers advocate for their rights, ensuring fair treatment, preventing discrimination, and addressing issues like wrongful termination or harassment.
Legal Counsel: Employers can consult employment lawyers to draft and review employment contracts, handbooks, and policies, reducing the risk of legal issues in the future.
Litigation Support: In cases of legal disputes, employment lawyers can represent their clients in court, increasing the chances of a favorable outcome.
Preventive Measures: They help employers establish procedures and policies to minimize the risk of legal issues in the workplace.
Roles and Duties:
Legal Representation: Employment lawyers provide legal representation in employment-related matters, such as discrimination claims, wage disputes, and wrongful termination cases.
Consultation: They offer legal advice to both employees and employers on employment-related issues, helping them understand their rights and obligations.
Mediation and Negotiation: Employment lawyers often mediate between conflicting parties to reach mutually agreeable resolutions, avoiding protracted litigation.
Documentation and Compliance: They assist employers in creating, reviewing, and updating employment contracts, policies, and handbooks to ensure they comply with relevant laws.
Investigation: Employment lawyers may conduct investigations into workplace issues, such as harassment or discrimination, to gather evidence and advise their clients on how to proceed.
Litigation: In cases that go to court, employment lawyers prepare legal documents, present evidence, and argue on behalf of their clients to protect their interests.
Training: They may provide training to employers and employees on employment law compliance and best practices to prevent legal issues.
Advocacy: Employment lawyers advocate for their clients’ interests and work to secure favorable outcomes in disputes or negotiations.
Risk Management: They help employers implement strategies to reduce the risk of legal disputes by ensuring their employment practices align with the law.
In summary, having the best employment lawyers in Minnesota can help both employees and employers navigate the complex legal landscape of employment. They offer legal expertise, dispute resolution, and proactive measures to protect the rights and interests of their clients.