Entries by Admin
Congress Passes New Critical Protections for Pregnant Workers
On December 22, 2022, the Senate passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). Advocates for fair and equitable working conditions for pregnant workers have been fighting for passage of this Act over the past ten years and the bill is finally on its way to the White House after strong bipartisan support. When a worker […]
Brian Rochel and Phillip Kitzer Present at Employee Rights Conference
The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) holds a special conference for its Eighth Circuit Chapter once every two years. The 2022 conference was held on October 14-15, in St. Louis, MO. NELA is the largest organization of lawyers who represent workers in the United States and is focused exclusively on advancing employee rights and making the […]
Kitzer Rochel Recognized by Benchmark Litigation 2023
Kitzer Rochel, PLLP, a boutique employment litigation law firm in Minneapolis, MN, is pleased to announce that the firm and its lawyers were recognized in Benchmark Litigation’s 2023 guide. The annual guide identifies leading litigators and law firms using extensive research methods and in-depth interviews with practitioners, dispute resolution specialists, and clients. Partners Phillip Kitzer […]
Minnesota Legalized Some Forms of Marijuana for Recreational Use-What Does that Mean for Employees?
In July 2022, Minnesota passed a bill to legalize certain kinds of marijuana for recreational use. The new law modifies Minnesota’s list of controlled substances to exclude “industrial hemp” products that contain no more than 0.3 percent of any form of THC. The law also allows individuals ages 21 or older to purchase edible and […]
Brian Rochel and Phillip Kitzer Elected as MN-NELA Board Officers
Phillip Kitzer and Brian Rochel have both been elected to serve in leadership roles on the Board of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association (MN-NELA). Brian Rochel has been elected the President of the Board, and Phillip Kitzer has been elected Secretary. Each will serve one-year terms. Brian was elected to serve […]
Are Real Estate Agents Protected from Harassment and Discrimination under the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA)?
The Minnesota Human Rights Act (“MHRA” or “Act”) protects individuals from discrimination in the workplace,[1] including sexual harassment as a form of gender discrimination.[2] Workers are further protected against termination, demotion, or other retaliatory employment actions in response to reporting discrimination or sexual harassment.[3] Ultimately, the MHRA was designed to “provide more expansive protections to […]
Fourth Circuit Grants Gender Dysphoria Disability Protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
On August 16, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (covering Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia) has become the first federal appellate court to find that gender dysphoria is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).[1] The decision came after a transgender woman sued Fairfax County for […]
Brian Rochel and Phillip Kitzer Recognized as Super Lawyers
Kitzer Rochel is proud to announce that Brian Rochel and Phillip Kitzer have both been selected as a Minnesota Super Lawyer in 2022. Attorneys are selected based on their professional accomplishments and leadership skills. Both Mr. Rochel and Mr. Kitzer are highly dedicated attorneys who practice on behalf of employees involved in a wide variety […]
