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
Wage Theft: Millions Lost to Unlawful Employment Practices Each Year
June 23, 2017 – Each year, thousands of Minnesota workers lose millions of dollars to wage theft by employers. Whether an employer requires employees to log into their computer five minutes before their shift and not pay them, misclassifies workers as independent contractors to avoid overtime pay and deny benefits, or pays less than minimum wage, employees of all socio-economic background are at risk of wage theft.
Background Checks: What Are My Employment Rights?
June 9, 2017 - Employment background checks can be an unnerving experience. Yet, employers are increasingly requiring new job applicants and current employees to submit to them, often in the form of criminal background checks and credit history checks. This article provides answers to some frequently asked questions about background checks.
Employee v. Independent Contractor: Misconceptions About Misclassification
May 19, 2017 – Misclassification of employees as independent contractors continues to be a problem in the U.S. workplace. Many independent contractors do not realize they may be employees and that certain factors are immaterial to determining whether they are independent contractors.
Class Actions
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.
Rehberg v. Flowers of Jamestown Settlement Documents
Below are documents related to the Flowers Baking Company of Jamestown settlement. Everyone who signed a Distributor Agreement with Flowers Baking Co. of Jamestown, LLC and worked as Distributors in the State of North Carolina and who were classified as independent contractors at any time from September 12, 2010, until the date the Court preliminarily approves this settlement are Class Members under this settlement.
Firm News
Massie Authors Article on Hostile Work Environment
July 24, 2017 – Firm attorney Dustin Massie was published in the July 2017 issue of the Hennepin Lawyer, the official publication of the Hennepin County Bar Association. His article, “When a Hostile Work Environment Becomes Legally Actionable,” examines the landscape of employee rights relating to unlawful workplace harassment.
Jozwiak Co-Authors Article on Drafting Effective Settlement Agreements
July 10, 2017 - Firm partner Chris Jozwiak co-authored an article that was published in the July 2017 issue of Bench & Bar of Minnesota, the official publication of the Minnesota State Bar Association. Titled “Effective Drafting for Employment Settlement Agreements,” the feature examines how both parties in an employment law dispute can benefit from a simplified and concise settlement agreement.
Six BTJW Attorneys Named 2017 Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
July 6, 2017 – This week, Super Lawyers announced that six Baillon Thome Jozwiak & Wanta LLP attorneys were named to the 2017 Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Frances Baillon, Joni Thome and Chris Jozwiak were recognized again as Super Lawyers for their work on behalf of employees in employment ligitation. Dustin Massie and Matt Nolan were named Rising Stars in employment litigation-plaintiffs. Shawn Wanta was named again as a Rising Star in class actions.