Employment & Labor Law

Kennedy & Graven is actively involved in representing government and other employers in employment and labor law matters. The firm offers counsel and preventative advice, for example, on how to plan termination actions and draft personnel policies to reduce the risk of claims. Our employment and labor law counsel are distinguished by the advantage we have in combining ongoing representation of employers with our highly regarded litigation services.

Our attorneys provide a wide range of services related to:

Employee discipline and discharge
Personnel policies / handbooks and affirmative action plans
Seminars and training on such employment matters as sexual harassment
Labor management issues, including grievances and arbitration
Evaluation of claims under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act
Sexual harassment cases
Veterans’ Preference Act cases
Advice on pay equity / comparable worth plans
Employment contracts and drug testing policies
Labor-management contracts and negotiations
Matters relating to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Due process issues

Labor Relations & Collective Bargaining

Collective bargaining agreements
Contract interpretation
Grievance proceedings and arbitration
Interest arbitration
Allegations of unfair labor practices
Bureau of Mediation Services matters
Strike plans and preparation

Litigation-Related Services

Members of the firm represent employers in federal and state courts, in arbitration, before the Minnesota Human Rights Department, the federal EEOC, the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, and in informal negotiations. Cases have included: