Andrea has successfully defended employers by obtaining dismissals, summary judgments, and defense verdicts in matters involving the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII, Title IX, invasion of privacy, and defamation. Andrea has also defended companies in lawsuits involving non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, confidential information and trade secret violations. Andrea has obtained successful results for her clients as the lead counsel in FLSA wage and hour class action litigation. She has argued numerous motions before state and federal courts across the country, and has defended clients before the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. She has tried cases to jury verdict and has engaged in several arbitrations.
Andrea’s background in products liability and fire and explosion litigation makes her a natural addition to Ogletree Deakins’ Workplace Safety Group. In that regard, Andrea has managed the investigation of workplace accidents, advised clients on OSHA compliance and counseled clients on best practices to improve employee safety. Most recently, Andrea managed a safety audit of numerous plants across the country and overseas for a global manufacturing company.
Andrea has been distinguished as a Super Lawyer Rising Star by Minnesota Law & Politics each year since 2005.
Experience
Andrea’s practice has been focused in the area of complex litigation. Andrea has favorably tried employment and commercial matters. Andrea has successfully led and co-led the defense of large, complex matters involving allegations of trade secret violations, copyright infringement, and unfair competition. Andrea has also managed and led the defense of off-the-clock and misclassification collective and class actions. Finally, Andrea has successfully defended local and national companies in discrimination, retaliation, and breach of restrictive covenant actions. Some examples of Andrea’s experience are shared below:
- Obtained summary judgment for a large franchise company in a matter involving defamation claims raised after Plaintiff was terminated from his position by a third-party franchisee.
- Obtained successful resolution in matter for a national client in the financial industry involving claims of tortious interference with contract and unfair competition.
- Co-counsel obtaining a defense verdict in a matter for a local country club in a high-profile matter involving allegations of wrongful termination, breach of contract and gender discrimination. Plaintiff’s motion for a new trial and appeal were also defeated.
- Obtained successful resolution for a national university in a matter involving claims of Title IX sex discrimination, defamation and breach of contract.
- Obtained successful resolution for a national service provider in an FLSA off-the-clock and misclassification collective and class action.
- Obtained voluntary dismissal for a national manufacturer in a matter alleging significant damages for breach of contract and product defect.
Minnesota
Nebraska
Wisconsin
Colorado
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
Education and Honors
- St. Cloud State University Excellence in Leadership Award
- Women Studies’ Outstanding Leadership Award
- Super Lawyer Rising Star by Minnesota Law & Politics (2005-present)
Professional Activities
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Minnesota Women Lawyers
- Board of Directors, Minnesota Justice Foundation
- Ogletree Deakins Employment Law Breakfast Briefing, with State Demographer Tom Gillaspy - "Legal Implications of the New Normal" - Minneapolis - November 11, 2011
- Minnesota CLE Webcast - "Fashion Victim or Discrimination? Avoiding Appearance Discrimination Lawsuits" - October 26, 2011
- 23rd Annual University of Wisconsin Products Liability Conference, with Senior Counsel, Harley Davidson - "Managing Discoverable Information Pre- and Post-Notice" - Madison - September 28, 2011
- Client Human Resources Conference - "Drug & Alcohol Testing: An Employee’s Right to Party?" - Chicago - September 8, 2011
- Business and Legal Resources Online Employment Law Conference - "Wage and Hour Issues for HR Directors" - June 29, 2011
- 22nd Annual University of Wisconsin Annual Products Liability Conference - "The Duty to Preserve: When Delete Does Not Make it Go Away" - Madison - September 29, 2010
- 21st Annual University of Wisconsin Annual Products Liability Conference - "Preparing for Litigation Before the Lawsuit" - Madison - September 22, 2009
- Millennials in the Workforce: Making the “In-It-For-Me” Employee In it for You - "The Potential Value and Risks of Social Networking" - Minneapolis - May 27, 2009
In The News
- March 30, 2012 - SHRM.org - "Demotion Alone May Lead to Constructive Discharge "