Brian Rochel Named Top Lawyer by Minnesota Monthly

We are pleased to announce that Brian Rochel was recognized as a Top Lawyer in Minnesota for 2024 by Minnesota Monthly Magazine. This is a prestigious recognition reserved for select attorneys who are selected by their peers specifically in Labor and Employment Law.

Brian is humbled to be recognized for this honor and looks forward to continuing to push for excellence in representing workers across the state of Minnesota. If you have questions about employment law or believe you may have been treated unlawfully at work, contact Kitzer Rochel today.

Phillip Kitzer, Frances Baillon, and Brian Rochel Again Named Super Lawyers; Frances Named among Top 100 and Top 50 Women Lawyers

Kitzer Rochel is excited to announce that the dedication and expertise of our legal team have been recognized yet again as Brian Rochel, Phillip Kitzer and Frances Baillon have been selected as Super Lawyers in Minnesota for this year. In addition, Frances made the lists of Top 50 Minnesota Women Super Lawyers and Top 100 Minnesota Super Lawyers. We are immensely proud of this recognition and grateful for the trust our clients place in us year after year.

Super Lawyers is a highly respected rating service that annually recognizes outstanding lawyers from various practice areas across the country. Each year, candidates undergo a rigorous selection process, involving nominations, independent research, and evaluations. Being chosen as a Super Lawyer is a remarkable achievement, as it reflects not only exceptional legal skills but also a consistent track record of success and the highest level of professional ethics.

We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of legal excellence and providing the best possible representation to our clients. Thank you to our clients and peers for placing their trust in us, and we look forward to continuing to serve the community with expertise, integrity, and compassion.

Phillip Kitzer Presents at Eighth Circuit Employment Conference in Des Moines, IA

On April 26, 2024, Phillip Kitzer co-presented at the Eighth Circuit chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association conference in Des Moines, Iowa, along with attorney David Albrecht of Fiedler Law Firm. Their session, titled “Eighth Circuit Case Law Update,” offered a comprehensive review of important court decisions affecting employees at the district, appellate, and Supreme Court levels. Their  presentation helped employment attorneys throughout the Eighth Circuit better understand the key legal changes and how they impact the field of employment law.

Phillip is a regular presenter at state, regional, and national employment conferences. If you have questions about Minnesota employment law and how recent court decisions may affect you, contact us today.

Phillip Kitzer and Brian Rochel both Present at National NELA Employment Law Conference

The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) held its Annual Convention in Chicago, Illinois from June 28 through July 1, 2023. 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 workplace better for all Americans.

The Annual Convention is the largest meeting of NELA members each year. The Annual Convention provides several days of intensive, high-quality continuing legal education (CLE) training for employment lawyers. Both Brian Rochel and Phillip Kitzer  were invited to speak at the Convention—an honor that very few members are given.

Brian presented on a panel entitled “Putting Theory Into Practice: Effectively Litigating Age Discrimination Claims.” The panel provided a detailed discussion and strategies for plaintiff’s advocates to use in representing employees in age discrimination claims.

Phillip presented on a panel entitled “25 Years After Faragher-Ellerth.” The panel provided in-depth updates on the state of employment law as it relates to the the use of the “Faragher-Ellerth” affirmative defense in sexual harassment claims.

Phillip and Brian regularly speak on employment law topics and present around the country. If you have questions about employment law please do not hesitate to contact us.

Mayor Jacob Frey Praises Kitzer Rochel at Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On June 6, 2023, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey proclaimed it “Kitzer Rochel Day” in the City of Minneapolis. Mayor Frey praised the law firm’s commitment to fighting discrimination and retaliation in Minneapolis and throughout Minnesota. Mayor Frey made the announcement at Kitzer Rochel, PLLP’s ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrating the law firm’s new office in the Capella Tower in Downtown Minneapolis.

Kitzer Rochel, a boutique employee rights law firm, has been located in downtown Minneapolis since its founding in 2020. The law firm is committed to staying in downtown Minneapolis and helping the City continue its great work recovering in the wake of the pandemic.

For more information about Kitzer Rochel and questions about employment law, contact us today.

Brian Rochel to Present on Multiple CLEs at 2023 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute (ELI)

Brian Rochel will be presenting on two separate CLE panels at the 2023 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute (ELI), on May 18-19, 2023, in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

First, Brian will be moderating a panel titled, “From Remote Work to Quiet Quitting and Work-Life Balance–Acting on Changing Perceptions and Realities Around Work and Workplaces.” The panel will explore a range of interconnected topics, focusing on the post-COVID workplace and employees’ changing perceptions and expectations.

Second, Brian will participate in a panel focusing on employment remedies and damages available in lawsuits. The panel is titled, “What’s the Harm: Evaluating and Proving Damages.”

The Upper Midwest ELI is one of the largest and most highly regarded employment law events in the country, featuring speakers from across the United States and drawing participants from various states in the midwest.

Brian Rochel Testifies at Minnesota Senate in Favor of Noncompete Ban

On March 15, 2023, the Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on a bill that would ban noncompete agreements in Minnesota. Brian Rochel testified as an expert on the bill, SF 405, explaining how noncompete agreements harm workers and the economy.

The bill passed the Judiciary Committee and is moving quickly through the legislature.

If you have questions about noncompete agreements, including Minnesota and federal laws seeking to stop the problematic spread of noncompete agreements, please contact Kitzer Rochel.

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 and Brian Rochel each received the directory’s distinguished honor of “Labor and Employment Star,” as recognized by peers and members of the labor and employment law community.

Click here for more details about Phillip Kitzer and Brian Rochel. If you have questions about employment law or would like to learn more about Kitzer Rochel, please contact us.

And please visit Benchmark Litigation’s website for more information on its 2023 rankings. About Benchmark Litigation (www.benchmarklitigation.com)

Since its inception in 2008, Benchmark Litigation has been the only publication on the market to focus exclusively on litigation in the US. The Benchmark brand has grown dramatically and garnered industry-wide accolades as the definitive hub for in-depth analysis of the players shaping the dynamic practice of litigation.

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 of employment-related legal disputes. They represent whistleblowers and other employees who are wrongfully terminated, discriminated and/or retaliated against. Mr. Rochel serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association, and Mr. Kitzer serves on the Governing Counsel for the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association. Mr. Rochel and Mr. Kitzer are each certified as Labor and Employment Law Specialists by the Minnesota State Bar Association.

If you would like to consult with Mr. Kitzer or Mr. Rochel, please contact us today.