Attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs have escalated, with some companies and lawmakers scaling back efforts to promote fair hiring and advancement. Recent government actions, including pressure from state attorneys general, raise concerns about workplace discrimination. However, federal and Minnesota laws still prohibit bias in employment, and rolling back DEI may actually increase […]
On January 8, 2025, Phillip Kitzer participated in a distinguished panel for the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. The event focused on the Pro Se Project, a critical initiative that connects self-represented litigants in federal court with volunteer attorneys. The panel featured an esteemed lineup of speakers, including U.S. Federal Magistrate Judge Kate […]
We are pleased to share that Brian Rochel has co-authored an article featured in the December 2024 edition of Bench & Bar of Minnesota. The article explores the U.S. Supreme Court’s major decision in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis (2024). There, the Supreme Court lowered the threshold for proving discrimination under Title VII, eliminating […]
Kitzer Rochel is proud to announce that we have been recognized by ModeOne as a Service Partner! ModeOne is a cutting-edge leader in providing high quality solutions for and obtaining and analyzing vital evidence stored on smartphone and short-message chat applications. By choosing to partner with ModeOne, Kitzer Rochel continues its commitment to providing its […]
Pregnancy can be both an exciting and challenging time, especially when balancing work responsibilities with the needs of growing your family. As a pregnant employee, it’s important to know that both Minnesota and federal laws offer you a range of rights and protections in the workplace. In this blog post, we’ll outline these rights, explain […]
Frances Baillon, with co-author Sam Kramer, wrote an article published in the September 2024 edition of Bench & Bar. The article, “Toward a More Perfect Minnesota: How the ’23-’24 Legislature Expanded Civil Rights Protections,” describes the most recent amendments to the Minnesota Human Rights Act. These include increased protections in the areas of disability, gender […]
We are proud to announce that Brian Rochel, a partner at Kitzer Rochel PLLP, was recently quoted in a Law360 article discussing Vice President Kamala Harris’s newly announced running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Rochel was asked to comment on Governor Walz’s extensive labor and employment record. In the article, Brian highlights the significant impact […]
The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) was introduced as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help businesses retain employees during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the ERC has been a lifeline for many businesses, it has also unfortunately opened doors for fraudulent claims and misuse. Kitzer […]
In a significant ruling, a federal appellate court clarified that sexual harassment and similar claims cannot be forced into arbitration. The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed that arbitration agreements cannot be enforced for claims of sexual harassment and assault filed after the enactment of the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual […]
The Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) has been expanded in several important ways that will help employees across Minnesota. Governor Walz has signed a new bill, HF 4109, and it’s packed with great updates to the MHRA to help workers all over the state. Some highlights of the changes include: Key Points of the New […]
