We are an employment and consumer protection law firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Recognized for our expertise and results, our consumer and employment attorneys are specialists, Super Lawyers and leaders in the legal community. We are dedicated advocates and work tirelessly to secure justice and striking outcomes for our clients.
Employment Law
Cancer and Reasonable Accommodations
September 28, 2017 – Disability discrimination remains one of the most filed forms of discrimination with the EEOC. In 2016, nearly one-third of charges filed with the agency involved claims of disability discrimination. Reasonable accommodations remain a focus for enforcement by the EEOC in 2017. In recent weeks, the agency filed two separate lawsuits against employers who failed to provide a limited medical leave as a reasonable accommodation to employees undergoing cancer treatment.
50 Years of ADEA, Yet Age Discrimination Persists
August 22, 2017 – Fifty years have passed since the enactment of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Yet, discrimination against older workers continues in great numbers. As older workers stay in the workplace longer, some are calling for Congress to strengthen and update the ADEA, much as it did with the Americans with Disabilities Act in 2008.
MN Supreme Court Clarifies "Good Faith" in Whistleblower Claims
August 11, 2017 – This week, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a landmark decision clarifying the Minnesota Whistleblower Act’s definition of a “good faith” report in whistleblower claims. The decision is a resouding victory for employees who have otherwise found it difficult to seek redress for unlawful termination, retaliation, harassment and/or threats for their reports of unlawful conduct by the employer under the Act.
Class Actions
Rehberg et al. v. Flowers Baking Co. of Jamestown Settlement
September 5, 2017 – Distributors can click on the above headline-link for information about the Rehberg class action settlement payments.
Rehberg et al. v. Flowers Baking Co. of Jamestown et al.: Answers to Common Distributor Questions
Distributors can click on the above headline-link for answers to questions about the claim form and pending class action settlement.
Flowers Foods Distributors Win Sixth Consecutive Conditional Class Certification
May 8, 2017 - Distributors of bakery products for Flowers Foods have scored another conditional class certification victory in their wage and hour case against the company. Carr et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc. et al. (E.D. Penn.) marks the sixth straight win for distributors, who are challenging their classification by Flowers Foods as independent contractors, rather than employees. One of these lawsuits, Rehberg (North Carolina), has already been certified as a class, and a preliminary settlement has been made. Baillon Thome Jozwiak & Wanta LLP serves as Lead Class Counsel in all six lawsuits.
Firm News
Baillon Presents on Employment Settlement Agreements
October 13, 2017 – Firm partner Frances Baillon helped lead a panel discussion to the MDLA on settlement negotiations and drafting an effective employment settlement agreement. The presentation included a discussion about the importance of a settlement term sheet, which claims can and cannot be released, and the value of clarity and simplicity in the final agreement.
Jozwiak Presents on Drafting Effective Settlement Agreements
October 10, 2017 - Firm partner Chris Jozwiak took part in a panel discussion to the Minnesota Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association on the effective drafting of employment settlement agreements. Chris joined attorney Sarah Bushnell to share their experience and discuss how both parties in an employment law dispute can benefit from a simplified and concise settlement agreement.
BTJW is Proud to Support Cancer Legal Care
September 14, 2017 – Baillon Thome Jozwiak & Wanta LLP is honored to support the great work of Cancer Legal Care and sponsor its 10th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser. This year’s event will take place on Thursday, September 28, 2017, at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley, Minnesota.