Cynthia A. Bremer

Profile

Cynthia Bremer has extensive experience in employment law and complex litigation matters.  Her practice focuses on representing corporations and corporate management in all types of employment law matters.  While Cynthia’s primary focus has been employment litigation defense in federal and state courts throughout the Midwest, including class and collective actions, Cynthia also advises companies on critical employment law issues involving past and present employees.  In addition to extensive litigation and advising experience in employment law, Cynthia’s experience also includes securities arbitrations, commercial and civil litigation, and intellectual property litigation.

Prior to entering private practice in Minneapolis in 1999, Cynthia was in private practice in North Dakota.  While in North Dakota, Cynthia was also a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of North Dakota and represented the State in dozens of administrative hearings and appeals.

Cynthia started her legal career as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri, assigned to the Complex Litigation group.  Her cases as an Assistant Attorney General included jury and bench trials, petitions for certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court on constitutional law issues, and key involvement in one of the largest civil RICO cases ever brought in Missouri.  Cynthia was also appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the prosecution of election law violations.

In addition to being very involved within the legal and business communities, Cynthia is a frequent seminar presenter, addressing a variety of human resource and employment law issues.

2013 Chambers

Experience

Experience: 
  • Tried numerous bench and jury trials, including an ERISA matter in Minnesota Federal Court
  • Obtained complete defense verdict in religious discrimination jury trial in Missouri Federal Court
  • Obtained numerous dismissals and favorable summary judgment rulings in employment law cases around the country, including cases involving claims under the FMLA, ADA, retaliation, sex discrimination and harassment, race discrimination, and numerous other types of claims
  • Decertified an ADEA representative action
  • Obtained favorable results in numerous arbitrations, including involving commercial and contract claims
  • Successfully represented a client in reversing bankruptcy court and lifting stay to proceed with arbitration
  • Obtained summary judgment in a patent infringement suit
  • Represented clients in campaign finance and other constitutional cases

Education and Honors

Education: 

J.D., Washington University School of Law, 1994
B.A., cum laude, Carleton College, 1990

Honors and Awards: 
  • Top 50 Women Super Lawyer
  • Top 40 Employment Super Lawyer
  • Super Lawyer  for more than 10 years
  • Order of the Barristers
  • Chambers USA

Professional Activities

Professional Activities: 
  • Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Minnesota Women Lawyers
  • Hennepin County Bar Association
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • North Dakota State Bar Association
  • Missouri State Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Orono City Council Member, City of Orono, Minnesota, elected to second four-year term in November 2010 (January 2007 to present)
  • Orono Planning Commission, Chair, Vice Chair and Member (2002-2006)
  • Orono Citizens Police Academy Graduate and Community Volunteer
  • HIRED, Chair and Executive Committee of Board of Directors
  • Adler Graduate School (Board of Directors)
  • Carleton College, Alumni Admissions Representative and Assistant Class Agent
  • Adjunct Faculty, William Mitchell College of Law (Business Practicum Course)
Speeches:
  • The 2012 Labor and Employment Law Institute - Panel Discussion - "Ethics: When Employment Litigation Involves Executives" - Minneapolis - December 30, 2012
  • Age Discrimination in Employment - "Mixed Motives in Age Cases" - Minneapolis - October 31, 2012
  • Ultimate Software Interactive HR Workshop: Essential Strategies from Industry Leaders in an Era of Change - "Screening Practices Under Attack: What Can Employers Use to Make Good Hiring Decisions?" - Edina - October 28, 2011
  • Ogletree Deakins webinar - "Screening Practices Under Attack - What Can Employers Use To Make Hiring Decisions?" - June 2011
  • The 2011 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education - "Eighth Circuit and Federal District Court Update" - St. Paul - May 2011
  • Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar - "Screening Practices Under Attack - What Can Employers Use To Make Hiring Decisions?" - Chicago - May 2011
  • 2011 Annual Mid-Winter Luncheon, Minnesota State Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law Section - "Defining Legally-Protected Conduct and Other Hot Topics in Retaliation Claims" - St. Paul - March 2011
  • How to Litigate a Case in Minnesota State Court, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education - "Using Negotiating and Settlement Skills to Your Tactical Advantage – Including Rule 68 Offers of Settlement" - Minneapolis - March 2011
  • Ogletree Deakins webinar - "Administering Leaves of Absence" - January 2011
  • New Lawyer Experience, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education - "Using Negotiating and Settlement Skills to Your Tactical Advantage" - Minneapolis - January 2011
  • The 2010 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education - "Eighth Circuit and Federal District Court Update" - St. Paul - May 2010
  • How to Litigate a Case in Minnesota State Court, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education - "Using Negotiating and Settlement Skills to Your Tactical Advantage – Including Rule 68 Offers of Settlement" - Minneapolis - March 2010
  • New Lawyer Experience, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education - "Using Negotiating and Settlement Skills to Your Tactical Advantage" - Minneapolis - January 2010
  • Litigation Advocacy Institute, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education - "Finding the Right Expert at the Right Time" - Minneapolis - June 2009
  • The 2009 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education - "Eighth Circuit and Federal District Court Update" - St. Paul - May 2009

In The News

Media Quotes:
  • April 19, 2013 - Minnesota Lawyer - "Twin Cities a Bulls-Eye for National Firms"
  • October 24, 2012 - Law360 - "Employers Must Be Cautious In Shifting Schedules To Curb OT"
  • May 15, 2012 - Finance & Commerce - "Legal issues abound in telecommuting"
  • July 21, 2011 - Law360 - "8th Circuit Discrimination Exception Takes a Hit"
  • February 4, 2011 - Minnesota Lawyer - "High Court Examines Unemployment Comp"
  • October 9, 2008 - Law360 - "5 Mistakes Lawyers Make In Mediation"
  • April 14, 2008 - Minnesota Lawyer - "Tips on Wrapping Up Your Case"
  • July 18, 2007 - StarTribune - "Identity Thieves Find Businesses a Rich Lode of Data"
  • April 16, 2007 - Minnesota Lawyer - "Tying a Case Together"
Published Works:
  • 2011 - Chapter 13 of Wage and Hour Handbook: Federal and Minnesota, First Edition, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education - "Defense-Side Analysis Of Wage-Hour Litigation Issues"
  • May 2007 - Minnesota Continuing Legal Education - "Summary Guide to Rules Regarding Discovery: Federal Court and Minnesota State Court"
  • March 2007 - The Hennepin Lawyer - "Know the New Electronic Discovery Rules: For Your Client’s Benefit and Your Own"
  • November/December 2003 - The Hennepin Lawyer - "The Real World Lessons of Faragher and Ellerth in Harassment Claims"