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
EEOC Reports Increased Sex Harassment Charges, Lawsuits in FY 2018
October 11, 2018 – Last week, the EEOC released its preliminary findings on sexual harassment claims for fiscal year 2018, reporting a 12% jump in charges filed with the agency compared with 2017, as well as a staggering 50% increase in lawsuits filed on behalf of employees by the agency.
BTJW is Honored to Support Cancer Legal Care
September 27, 2018 – Baillon Thome Jozwiak & Wanta LLP is proud to support the great work of Cancer Legal Care and sponsor its 2018 Legal Care Affair. This fundraiser is the largest fundraising event for CLC with proceeds going directly to the legal programs and services CLC provides to Minnesotans affected by cancer.
Paid Family Leave Not a Reality for Most Employees
September 18, 2018 – Several Minnesota employers have recently expanded their employment benefit policies to include paid family leave to their employees who are new parents. But the reality is, only 13% of Americans have access to paid family leave benefits. And low-income workers, who make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce and are more often African-American or Latino, are the least likely to have access to these benefits.
Class Actions
Pest Control Independent Contractor Investigation
We are seeking to speak with individuals who are considered pest control independent contractors for pest control companies. It is our understanding that these individuals may in fact be employees, not “independent contractors” and, therefore, misclassified under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Wanta Authors Law Review Article on Class Action Fees
May 1, 2018 – Last month, firm partner Shawn Wanta was published in the Mitchell Hamline School of Law’s Law Review. In his article, “How Do Lawyers Get Paid by a Class of Plaintiffs When There is No Fee Shifting Statute?,” Wanta examined how courts are given broad discretion under FRCP Rule 23(h) to determine reasonable attorney fee awards in class action litigation.
Settlement Reached in Coyle v. Flowers Foods and Holsum Bakery
April 17, 2018 – After more than two years of hard-fought litigation, the parties have reached a settlement in the Arizona wage and hour class action lawsuit of Coyle v. Flowers Foods, Inc., and Holsum Bakery, Inc. This case is one of six independent contractor misclassification lawsuits filed against Flowers Food across the country.
Firm News
Baillon, Jozwiak & Thome Named to Best Lawyers 2019 List
August 28, 2018 – Baillon Thome Jozwiak & Wanta LLP is pleased to announce that firm partners Frances Baillon, Chris Jozwiak and Joni Thome have been named to the 2019 list of Best Lawyers in America.
Kaarin Nelson Schaffer Discusses Non-Disclosure Agreements on WCCO
August 24, 2018 – This week, firm partner Kaarin Nelson Schaffer appeared on WCCO radio’s Steele Talkin’ with Jearlyn Steele to discuss non-disclosure agreements. In the interview, Nelson Schaffer discussed the role of these contracts as they pertain to private and public employees and entities.
Judge Sends BTJW Case to Trial on All Claims
August 2, 2018 – This week, attorneys Kaarin Nelson Schaffer and Dustin Massie received a sweeping order in favor of their client from a Ramsey County judge. The case includes claims of age and gender discrimination, retaliation and tortious interference with an employment contract and is now set for trial later this year.