Beth Gunn, a shareholder, defends employers in all types of employment litigation, from high-stakes wage and hour class actions to single plaintiff cases alleging discrimination and harassment based on race, age, gender, national origin, disability, and other protected classes, as well as claims of wrongful termination and retaliation. 

Beth’s practice focuses on obtaining excellent results for clients, and her employment litigation experience enables her to analyze the circumstances surrounding each case and tailor the most effective litigation strategy for each individual client.  In the wage and hour arena, Beth vigorously defends federal and state class actions alleging overtime violations, meal and rest period violations, wage statement violations, and the myriad penalties associated with such causes of action, but never loses sight of the client’s business needs and cost-effectiveness during this type of complicated litigation.  Beth’s experience in working with economic experts provides her with valuable insight in accurately assessing the risks at issue in such litigation, and in developing the right litigation strategy to address those risks.  Whether the case requires an active defense, resulting in dismissal of class claims, or negotiating a favorable settlement for a client who faces serious risks, Beth will seek the best outcome for her clients. 

For cases involving single plaintiffs alleging violations of federal and state employment laws, Beth applies the same common-sense principles of evaluating the circumstances and creating a defense that achieves results for her clients.  Beth also advises employers regarding employee handbooks, personnel policies, wage and hour compliance, disability accommodations, leave issues, employee discipline matters, and other employment issues.  Beth also conducts training seminars for prevention of sexual harassment. 

Beth has been with Ogletree Deakins since 2006; prior to that, Beth practiced employment litigation at Holland & Knight, LLP.  Following law school, Beth served as a law clerk for the Honorable Theodore McMillian of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.  Beth received her law degree from Columbia University School of Law in 2000 and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the College of the Holy Cross.  While in law school, Beth was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and acted as Senior Editor for the Columbia Law Review.