Experience

Defense Jury Verdict for Employer in Discrimination Case

We obtained a total defense jury verdict for an employer, in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri, in a case seeking approximately $500,000 in damages based on alleged race and age discrimination and constructive discharge under the Missouri Human Rights Act. The plaintiff was a former human resources employee who alleged that she was demoted to a non-human resources assignment based on her age and Hispanic race in an effort to force her to quit employment. The defendant denied that any protected characteristics played a role in the assignment and that the plaintiff quit for a better employment opportunity. 

Defense Verdict in Discrimination, Retaliation Case

Obtained a defense verdict in a Jackson County, Missouri jury trial on claims of race, gender, and national origin discrimination and retaliation. The plaintiff alleged that she did not receive a new contract as a school vice principal after making complaints of retaliation under the Missouri Human Rights Act.

Dismissal for Government Client on FOIA Claims

Obtained dismissal of Complaint alleging Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) violations in Illinois state court for a governmental client.

Summary Judgment for Fortune 100 Company on MHRA Claims

Obtained summary judgment on Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA) claims in state court for a Fortune 100 company based on untimeliness and failure to exhaust administrative remedies.

Handled Multiple Investigations of Employment Discrimination, Employee Misconduct and Whistleblower Conduct

Conducted investigations for multiple clients related to complaints of employment discrimination, harassment and other allegations of conduct related to state and federal discrimination laws in addition to allegations concerning employee misconduct and whistleblower activity. Authored comprehensive investigative reports and executive summaries, and presented to executives and board members.

Successfully Defended College in Discrimination Case Before the EEOC

Successfully defended EEOC charges alleging race and gender discrimination on behalf of private liberal arts college. 

Defense Verdict for Fortune 500 Logistics Company in Race Discrimination Case

Served as lead counsel in jury trial where the jury returned a defense verdict for Fortune 500 client in Title VII race discrimination case. 

$65 Million Sale of Specialty Home Furnishings Business

Represented the seller, a manufacturer of specialty home furnishings, in its acquisition by a leading brand aggregator in numerous different consumer products spaces. The sale, for $65 million in cash and equity, represented the buyer’s first acquisition in the home furnishings space. We also provided counsel on employment, employee benefits, tax, patent, and intellectual property aspects of the transaction.

Obtained Defense Verdict for School District on Discrimination, Retaliation Claims

Obtained a full defense jury verdict in Jackson County, Missouri, circuit court for a school district on claims of race and disability discrimination and retaliation under the Missouri Human Rights Act, and retaliation under Missouri's public employee whistleblower protection statute. The plaintiff, who had been terminated from employment following discovery of time fraud, sought more than $500,000 in damages.

Representation of Logistics Provider in Noncompete Case

Represented a national third-party logistics provider in action to enforce noncompetition provision against a former employee.

Defense of Global Direct Sales Company in Breach of Contract Case

Represented a global direct sales company in connection with breach of contract claims alleging that members of its independent contractor sales force were prohibited from recruiting salespeople from other direct sales companies.

Severance Package Negotiation for Top Executive

Negotiated an appropriate severance package for a top salesperson in the construction materials industry.

Counsel to Multinational Hedge Fund on Post-Employment Obligations

Counseled multinational hedge fund and financial serves company regarding post-employment obligations of employees.

Successful Representation of an Executive in a Wrongful Termination Case

Represented an executive in a wrongful termination case which settled during trial.

Vindicated CEO Terminated For “Cause” and Denied All Compensation

Successfully represented former CEO of publicly traded international business in dispute arising from the company’s termination of our client “for cause” and denial of all incentives and other compensation due to the client.

Representation in Employee Terminations, Alleged Rutan Violations

Represented the state of Illinois in disputes involving employee terminations and alleged Rutan violations.

Defense of Chicago Manufacturer Against Wage Payment Action Claims

Successfully defended a Chicago manufacturer against Wage Payment Act claims brought by its former president.

Prosecution of High-Profile Embezzlers

Prosecuted embezzlers, including the partner of a real estate venture, the treasurer of an energy company and the bookkeeper of a significant business.

Prosecution in Matter Involving Breach of Employment Agreement

Prosecuted and defended claims for breach of an employment agreement.

Representation of National Aviation Insurance Broker in Noncompete, Nonsolicitation Case

Represented a national aviation insurance broker in action to enforce contractual noncompete and nonsolicitation provisions against a former employee.

Summary Judgment for School District in Disability Discrimination Case

Obtained summary judgment for a public school district in a disability discrimination case under the Missouri Human Rights Act. The plaintiff argued that a disability prevented her from performing job duties that became necessary due to distance learning models when schools were closed due to COVID-19. Although the job duties were not explicitly discussed in the job description for her position, we demonstrated that the job duties were essential, performed by all other employees in the department, and there was no other vacant position for which the plaintiff was qualified.

Successfully Defended University, Individual Against Missouri Human Right Act Claims

Secured a full defense verdict for a university and individual on multiple claims alleging violations of the Missouri Human Rights Act. After a one-week trial in the City of St. Louis Circuit Court, the jury returned verdicts in favor of our client on all counts.

Summary Judgment in $850,000 Employment Contract Dispute

Obtained summary judgment in Missouri state court on behalf of an employer in the health care and life sciences field. A former employee had sought over $850,000 in alleged unpaid bonuses.

Summary Judgment for Hospital in FMLA Retaliation Suit

Obtained summary judgment ruling for a hospital in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. The lawsuit brought by former employee alleged retaliation under the Family and Medical Leave Act. 

Successfully Defended School District in Termination, Discrimination Suit

Successfully defended school district in a wrongful termination and age discrimination lawsuit.

Dismissal of Suit for Public Entity in the Education Industry

Won a dismissal after removal to federal court on behalf of a public entity and its employees for failure to exhaust administrative remedies with proper administrative agency.

Secured Withdrawal of OSHA Citations for Manufacturing Client

Defended company that received two willful citations under OSHA lead standard when manufacturing with leaded brass. OSHA withdrew both willful citations.

Successfully Resolved Matter for Company in OSHA Severe Violator Enforcement Program

Defended company placed in OSHA Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP) involving combustible dust explosion and serious injuries. The case was settled with no willful violations and the company was removed from SVEP.

Dismissal of Multi-State Unpaid Overtime Class Action Claims

Obtained dismissal of numerous state law class action claims based on lack of standing in a multi-state unpaid overtime lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, resulting in a substantial reduction in the potential size of the class and, accordingly, substantially reducing the company's potential exposure.

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Chicago, IL
100 North Riverside Plaza
Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60606-1520
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Chicago, Illinois
Denver, CO
4643 S. Ulster St.
Suite 800
Denver, CO 80237
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Denver, Colorado
Edwardsville, IL
115 N. Second St.
Edwardsville, IL 62025
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Edwardsville, Illinois
Jefferson City, MO
101 E. High St.
First Floor
Jefferson City, MO 65101
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Jefferson City, Missouri
Kansas City, MO
2345 Grand Blvd.
Suite 1500
Kansas City, MO 64108
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Kansas City, Missouri
Las Vegas, NV
7160 Rafael Rivera Way
Suite 320
Las Vegas, NV 89113
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Las Vegas, Nevada
Miami, FL
355 Alhambra Circle
Suite 1200
Coral Gables, FL 33134
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New York, NY
7 Times Square, 44th Floor
New York, NY 10036
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Orange County, CA
19800 MacArthur Boulevard
Suite 300
Irvine, CA 92612
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Philadelphia, PA
2005 Market Street
29th Floor, One Commerce Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
St. Louis, MO
7700 Forsyth Blvd.
Suite 1800
St. Louis, MO 63105
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St. Louis, Missouri
Washington, D.C.
1717 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006
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Wilmington, DE
1007 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
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Wilmington, Delaware