Mental health conditions can significantly affect employees’ behavior and performance at work—and when that happens, both employees and employers often struggle to understand their rights and responsibilities. At a recent Minnesota CLE presentation, “When Problematic Employee Behavior Stems from a Mental Health Condition,” Phillip Kitzer of Kitzer Rochel, PLLP joined Amy Conway of Stinson LLP […]
Kitzer Rochel is proud to announce that our attorneys have once again been recognized for their outstanding legal work in Minnesota. Frances Baillon, Phillip Kitzer, and Brian Rochel have each been selected as 2025 Minnesota Super Lawyers for another year. In addition, Frances Baillon earned special honors by being named to both the lists of […]
Last week, Brian Rochel had the privilege of presenting at the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) Annual Convention in Baltimore, MD. Brian’s presentation, “Anatomy of an Arbitration,” walked through the arbitration process step by step, from strategy considerations before filing through final hearing and enforcement of awards. Many employees are forced into arbitration due to […]
At a recent continuing legal education program hosted by the Employment Law Institute of the Upper Midwest (ELI), Phillip Kitzer of Kitzer Rochel, PLLP joined Damien Riehl, Karen Odash, and moderator Jack Sullivan to present “Litigating Employment Cases When AI Is in Play.” The session explored how artificial intelligence tools are transforming workplace decisions—and how […]
We are proud to share that all three of our attorneys—Brian Rochel, Frances Baillon, and Phillip Kitzer—were featured presenters at this year’s Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute (ELI), held May 19–20, 2025, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. As one of the premier employment law conferences in the country, the ELI brings together top legal minds […]
Phillip Kitzer of Kitzer Rochel, PLLP recently co-authored a chapter in the newly published Internal Employment Investigations Handbook, released by Minnesota Continuing Legal Education (Minnesota CLE). The chapter, titled “Mistakes in Investigations and the Consequences,” examines how errors during workplace investigations can lead to serious legal exposure for employers and provides practical guidance for conducting […]
The Trump Administration has been direct in its efforts to combat decades-old nondiscrimination standards. But while its actions have created a lot of (justifiable) coverage and outrage, it is important to understand the vast majority of legal protections in employment remain untouched. Along with nationwide legal actions challenging the recent orders and changes, there are […]
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 […]