Practice Group | Bassford Remele

Employment

From Fortune 500 Companies to non-profit organizations, and every type of employer in between, we provide practical advice and seasoned representation in all matters of employment law. Bassford Remele’s employment-law team is led by attorneys recognized as leading practitioners in the field. The accomplishments of these lawyers include service as an adjunct professor of employment law, selection as faculty of the Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, authorship in leading treatises, and identification by Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and Rising Stars.

Representative Cases

Trials and Arbitrations

Obtained a defense verdict for a Fortune 150 company in an ADA retaliation case.

Obtained defense verdict for a Fortune 150 company in an ADA discrimination case.

Obtained defense verdict for a health-care system at trial in a defamation case.

Defended a health-care system at trial, obtaining a defense jury verdict in a defamation case.

Defended broadcasting company at arbitration, obtaining a complete defense order in breach of employment contract case.

Successfully obtained judgment as a matter of law for manufacturing client after week-long trial on claims for breach of non-compete agreement and tortious interference brought against terminated employee and his new employer.

Obtained defense verdict for international food company, as well as a $90,000 judgment against plaintiff, in employment discrimination case.

Summary Judgment and Similar Successes

Obtained summary judgment for employer in a disability-discrimination case.

Obtained summary judgment for Fortune 150 company in an ADA discrimination case.

Obtained summary judgment for health-care system in a public-accommodations case.

Obtained summary judgment and affirmance of summary judgment order for health-care provider in a whistleblower case.

Obtained summary judgment for employer in a disability-discrimination case.

Obtained affirmance of summary judgment order for health-care provider in a whistleblower case.

Obtained summary judgment for professional sports team in age-discrimination case.

Obtained summary judgment for travel company on claims for disability discrimination, sexual harassment, reprisal and marital-status discrimination.

Obtained summary judgment for residential management company on claims for sexual harassment and negligence.

Obtained temporary restraining order for transportation client against accounting manager who sought to work for a competitor in violation of her non-compete agreement.

Defended insurance company by obtaining Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal on former employee’s claims for tortious interference and defamation.

Other Representative Matters

Obtained favorable settlement for a financial institution in an unfair-competition case.

Obtained favorable settlement for an individual in a whistleblower case.

Obtained favorable settlement for an individual in a race-discrimination case.

Obtained favorable settlement for an individual in an unpaid-commissions case.

Obtained settlement in unpaid-commissions case.

Defended temporary staffing company against claims of religious discrimination and failure to accommodate religious beliefs regarding prayer breaks.

Defended dental supply company against claims of age and sex discrimination, reprisal, and violation of the Equal Pay Act.

Defended international food company against claims for sex-plus discrimination, reprisal and marital status discrimination.

Defended employer and its owner against claims of disability discrimination, reprisal, aiding and abetting discrimination, violation of Minnesota's whistleblower statute, negligence and intentional interference with economic advantage.

Defended philanthropic organization against former employee’s allegations that he was wrongfully discharged in violation of the parties’ lifetime employment agreement.

Defended surgeon in hospital’s internal investigation related to claims for sexual harassment.

Defended real estate company and its employees against claims by competitor for breach of confidentiality and breach of the duty of loyalty.

Represented numerous school administrators in employment contract negotiations, school board investigations and various workplace issues.

Defended hospice care provider against claims for breach of non-competition agreement and misappropriation.

Defended biotech company against former employees’ claims for age discrimination, breach of contract, promissory estoppel, fraud, civil conspiracy, and tortious interference.

Represented publicly held company in investigating sexual harassment allegations against C-suite employee and defended client against claims for sexual harassment and sex discrimination.

Represented the former chairman, chief executive officer, and selling-shareholder in a class-action ESOP litigation, winning summary judgment from the district court for the firm’s client on the eve of trial. (Following separate trials on liability and damages, the plaintiff class was awarded more than $15 million in relief. Judgment in favor of the firm’s client was unchallenged on appeal.) Chesemore v. All. Holdings, Inc., 276 F.R.D. 506 (W.D. Wis. 2011); 886 F. Supp. 2d 1007 (W.D. Wis. 2012); aff'd sub nom. Chesemore v. Fenkell, 829 F.3d 803 (7th Cir. 2016).

Comments from clients and the legal community:

Dan Olson at Bassford Remele has been great to work with. He stepped in a difficult situation, made recommendations and was always available to answer questions. (Vice President, Operations, Credit and Collections Industry)


Dan Olson of Bassford Remele was a pleasure to work with: effective, personable, responsive, and helpful. We had a very positive outcome, and I give Dan much of the credit for that. (President, Bank)


I have relied on Bassford Remele for legal support for many years and have been extremely satisfied. My experience working with their attorneys has been positive in many ways, including their responsiveness, knowledge, professionalism and caring attitude.


Bassford Remele has provided expert legal counsel and representation to our organization. Their advice is practical and wise.


Bassford Remele's employment attorneys are excellent. We had the opportunity to work with them multiple times in the past year as we managed personnel issues related to the pandemic and they were extremely responsive and helpful in guiding us to decisions even when there were no clear answers. I appreciate that they take into consideration the practical side of any issue and consider the business implications, as well as the legal ones. I would highly recommend Bassford Remele. (General Counsel, Health Care Provider)


Bassford Remele's labor and employment law team provides exceptional value to our institution. Their lawyers have deep expertise in both employment law and litigation in general. In addition, they are genuinely enjoyable to work with and exceedingly professional. (General Counsel, Education Provider)


Bassford Remele is a terrific partner for us. They drive strong results, are exceptionally responsive, and cost-effective. I highly recommend them. (Senior Vice President, Bank)


We use Bassford Remele for multiple labor and employment needs. They are extremely responsive, knowledgeable, and aware of the budget for a given project. As a non-profit, I appreciate that tremendously. In addition, they provide training and other "value adds" that help me in my work within the organization. They've taken a true interest in *** which makes it that much easier when we have a matter we need them to assist with because they already know the people and the culture. (General Counsel, Health Care Provider)


These comments were collected as part of the U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" research process.

March 25, 2024

March 18, 2024
Worker Classification: The New DOL Final Rule, Current State Law, and Proposed Changes to Minnesota’s Construction Classification Law

March 11, 2024
Examining Employers' DEI Initiatives and the Increasing Challenges to the Same

March 4, 2024
2024 Minnesota Legislative Update on Employment Laws

February 26, 2024
NLRB Rules Employee's "Black Lives Matter" Marketing on Home Depot Apron Was Protected

February 19, 2024
A Whistleblower Claim Under The Sarbanes-Oxley Act Does Not Require Retaliatory Intent

February 12, 2024
The Hot Topic of Unionization

February 5, 2024
Department of Labor Issues Final Rule on Determining Independent Contractor Status

January 29, 2024
Addressing Employees' Mental-Health Concerns

January 22, 2024
Labor Standards Boards: A New Trend Targeting The Workplace

January 16, 2024
Minnesota AG Sues Evergreen Acres Diary Alleging Wage Theft and Substandard Housing Conditions

January 8, 2024
Supreme Court Rules on Civil Rights Tester Case

January 2, 2024
January 2024 Is A Monumental Moment For Minnesota Employers

December 18, 2023
Emerging AI: The White House's Executive Order and Its Impact to the Workplace

December 11, 2023
SCOTUS Hears Oral Argument on Landmark Employment-Law Case

December 4, 2023
Employers Face Scrutiny under the FLSA for Rounding Employee Time
Eighth Circuit Reverses Dismissal in Class Action Case Against Employer for Rounding Off Employee Time at the Beginning and End of the Day Because It May Violate the FLSA

November 27, 2023
The December Dilemma - Employment Tips for the Holiday Season

November 20, 2023
Thoughts, Questions, Concerns: DOL Proposed Rulemaking Change to Overtime Pay and What People Have to Say About It

November 13, 2023
Should Employers Address Mass Shooting Tragedies?

November 6, 2023
NLRB Expanding The Joint Employer Rule

October 30, 2023
The Tricks to Making the Workplace Halloween Party a Treat

October 23, 2023
SHOW ME THE MONEY! Addressing pay inequity with pay-transparency laws

October 16, 2023
It's the Final Countdown...To Mandatory Paid Sick and Safe Leave

October 9, 2023

Who Bears the Liability When an Employee's Email Account Gets Hacked?

October 2, 2023
Supreme Court Hears Two Pivotal Employment Law Cases

September 25, 2023
#BadBoss: How to Approach Negative or Slanderous Commentary on Social Media

September 18, 2023
Employer Considerations When Responding to Employee-Records Requests

September 11, 2023
Department of Labor Introduces New Proposal to Increase Salary Exemption Threshold

September 5, 2023
The NLRB Continues its Trend of Reversing Precedent and Expanding Employee and Union Rights

August 28, 2023
The EEOC Penalizes an Employer for Utilizing AI in the Application Process

August 21, 2023
Advantages and Disadvantages of Employers Implementing Arbitration Agreements With Class and Collective Action Waivers

August 14, 2023
Minnesota's Legislature Has Been Active. What's Going on At the Federal Level?

August 7, 2023
The New Regulations for Cannabis in the Workplace

July 31, 2023
The Next Wave of New Employment Laws Set to Take Effect

July 24, 2023
Are DEI Initiatives a Litigation Risk?

July 17, 2023
Preparing Your Workplace for Legalized Marijuana

July 10, 2023
The End of Covid-Era I-9 Flexibility

July 3, 2023
SCOTUS Reframes Religious Accommodations Under Title VII

June 26, 2023
Changes to Existing Laws Going Into Effect July 1, 2023

June 20, 2023
Employee or Independent Contractor? The NLRB Expands the Definition of Employee

June 12, 2023
Managing Mental Health in the Workplace

June 5, 2023
EEOC Issues New Guidance on AI Use

May 30, 2023
The Unfortunate Workforce Reduction
How to approach layoffs and terminations in this turbulent economy

May 23, 2023
A Historic Legislative Session for Minnesota Employment Law Concludes

May 15, 2023
Legislative and Administrative Update: Paid Family Leave Bill Inching Closer to the Governor's Desk

May 8, 2023
Chat GPB is Everything, Everywhere, All at Once! All you need to know about the chatbot taking the world by storm.

May 1, 2023
What ESG Means for Employers

April 24, 2023
Employer Obligations Related to Employees Expressing Breastmilk

April 17, 2023
The Reemerging Tax Consequences of Remote Work

April 10, 2023
Severance Agreements Under Scrutiny

April 3, 2023
Legislative Update

March 27, 2023
Proposed Paid-Leave Legislation Makes Headlines
Minnesota Supreme Court Clarifies Analysis For Constructive Discharge Discrimination Claims Under Minnesota Human Rights Act

March 20, 2023
Increasing Prosecution of Employers for Wage Theft
5 Reasons Why You Should Hire an Outside Investigator

Accolades

2024 Best Lawyers Labor and Employment
2024 Metropolitan Tier 1 Firm in the area of Labor and Employment Litigation
Star Tribune Gold in Best Civil Litigation
Star Tribune Gold Winner in Civil Litigation
2020 Best Lawyers Alan Silver ERISA
Alan Silver 2012 & 2020 Minneapolis Litigation-ERISA Lawyer of the Year
2024 Best Lawyers Employment Management
2024 Metropolitan Tier 1 Firm in the area of Employment Law Management