Thome and Baillon Present at 2013 Employment Law Institute
Thome and Baillon Present at 2013 Employment Law Institute. The employment lawyers spoke on developing Minnesota case law and hot topics in FMLA litigation.
Firm News
Baillon Presents Sexual Harassment Update to Agency Investigators
On February 6, Frances Baillon, along with Sheila Engelmeier, of Engelmeier & Umanah, addressed agency investigators on sexual harassment updates. The two attorneys spoke on a range of topics, from defining what constitutes sexual harassment to who qualifies as a supervisor and establishing what makes sexual harassment “severe or pervasive.” They also covered the Minnesota Supreme Court’s recent case law concerning sexual harassment.
Thome and Baillon Named 2012 Top Women Attorneys
Baillon Thome Jozwiak & Wanta is proud to announce that Joni M. Thome and Frances E. Baillon have been named to the 2012 Top Women Attorneys in Minnesota list by Super Lawyers. The list can be found in the April 2013 issue of Twin Cities Business magazine.
BTJW Defeats Summary Judgment Motion in Employment Retaliation Case
In an employment retaliation case, Baillon Thome recently prevailed against a Motion for Summary Judgment filed by defense counsel in federal district court. The Court’s opinion is also significant because it held that a plaintiff can pursue a retaliation claim under the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Act using the “direct evidence” method.
Leland and Baillon Contribute to Bar Association's Employment Law Update
Each year, the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association publish an electronic newsletter containing updates and developments in case law or legislation. For the past few years, Daniel Leland has been a contributing author to the employment law newsletter, writing the federal wage and hour section along with Jessica Marsh of Felhaber Larson Fenlon & Vogt.
Baillon Thome Attorneys Named 2012 Super Lawyers & Rising Stars
In an impressive showing for a specialized law firm, five of the lawyers at Baillon Thome have been named 2012 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars!
Joni Thome Wins Dedicated Advocacy Award
BTJW congratulates founding partner Joni Thome on being the recipient of the Karla Wahl Dedicated Advocacy Award. Each year, the Executive Committee of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Employment Lawyer Association (NELA) honors one Minnesota attorney for her or his “ceaseless and courageous efforts to better the rights of Minnesota employees, honoring the spirit and memory of Karla Wahl.”
Baillon Thome Joins Mondale, Blatz to Oppose Marriage Amendment
We are proud to stand alongside former Vice President of the United States Walter Mondale and retired Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen A. Blatz in opposing a proposed amendment to the Minnesota constitution that would permanently ban marriage for same-sex couples in Minnesota.
Baillon Speaks on Marital Status Discrimination for Minnesota State Bar Association
Frances Baillon, in conjunction with V. John Ella of Jackson Lewis LLP, speak on March 21, 2012, at a CLE for the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Section. Baillon and Ella present “Marital Status Discrimination - March Madness?” They will discuss marital status discrimination claims under the Minnesota Human Rights Act in light of a recent ruling by the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Baillon, Jozwiak Prevail in Disability Case
Frances Baillon and Chris Jozwiak recently prevailed against a motion to dismiss filed by defense counsel in federal district court. The underlying case, Joan Gilbert v. Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company (MetLife), is a disability discrimination case concerning a plaintiff who, after being diagnosed with cancer, was the only supervisor not retained following MetLife’s closure of its Bloomington, Minnesota office.
Thome Interviewed on KARE 11 Regarding Hostile Work Environment
Joni Thome appeared on NBC affilliate KARE 11 on December 7, 2011. Joni Thome was interviewed regarding the Minneapolis Fire Department’s recent promotion of former Fire Chief Bonnie Bleskachek, who was the subject of several lawsuits alleging that she created a hostile work environment for her subordinates who refused her sexual advances.
Appearance Discrimination: A New Frontier of Employment Litigation?
Chris Jozwiak, along with Penelope Phillips, of Felhaber Larson Fenlon & Vogt, recently spoke on appearance discrimination claims. The two discussed workplace dress codes, body weight scrutiny and other ways that appearance discrimination claims are surfacing. The program is part of a training series put on by Minnesota State Bar Association's Employment and Labor Section members and is geared toward EEOC and MDHR investigators.