Chris Heffelbower has extensive experience in employment law and complex litigation matters. Chris represents management in a variety of industries and services areas. She is experienced in wage and hour matters, age discrimination, sex discrimination, retaliation claims, Equal Pay Act violations, pay discrimination under Title VII, pregnancy discrimination, and trade secrets matters. Chris’s experience includes responding to numerous charges in the EEOC and various state agencies and managing all stages of litigation. Chris counsels management regarding wage and hour matters, independent contractor issues, and has conducted audits of employers’ classification of its employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act. In addition to employment law, Chris has experience in complex commercial litigation, including shareholder disputes, contract disputes, and antitrust actions.
Chris received her B.A. from the University of Minnesota and her J.D., magna cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law. She has been twice named as a Rising Star attorney by Super Lawyers. Chris is a member of the Minnesota Management Attorneys Association.
Experience
- Received dismissal from the San Antonio EEOC office in four complex charges of discrimination relating to the closure of one of the client’s offices. Charges included allegations of age discrimination, sex discrimination, retaliation, Equal Pay Act violations, pay discrimination under Title VII, and pregnancy discrimination.
- Successfully defended against a TRO in trade secrets litigation that involved the departure of a 50% shareholder in a technology company.
- In the Minnesota Court of Appeals, obtained a remand of the district court’s permanent injunction in a trade secrets case.
- Conducted a comprehensive audit within a technology consulting firm of the classification of its employees under the FLSA.
- In a complex commercial dispute involving 25 plaintiffs, successfully obtained an order dismissing plaintiffs’ claims for antitrust and constitutional violations against client. On the remaining claims, successfully brought a motion to compel and a motion for sanctions, which resulted in a court order requiring plaintiffs to pay attorneys’ fees, excluding plaintiffs’ expert, and prohibiting plaintiffs from further supplementing their discovery. Settled the case on very favorable terms for the client.
Minnesota
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Education and Honors
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers (2006, 2010)
Professional Activities
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Member of the Minnesota Management Attorneys Association
In The News
- 2009/2011 - Minnesota Contracts Deskbook (Chapter 6) - "Problems In Formation"