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Phillip Kitzer Speaks on Federal Bar Association Panel

January 14, 2025/in Blog

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 […]

Brian Rochel Co-Authors Article Discussing Major Change to Employment Discrimination Law in Bench & Bar of Minnesota

December 9, 2024/in Blog, Employment, Kitzer Rochel News

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 […]

Phillip Kitzer Speaks on Federal Bar Association Panel

January 14, 2025/in Blog

Brian Rochel Co-Authors Article Discussing Major Change to Employment Discrimination Law in Bench & Bar of Minnesota

December 9, 2024/in Blog, Employment, Kitzer Rochel News

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Phillip Kitzer Speaks on Federal Bar Association Panel

January 14, 2025/in Blog

Drawing from his own practice, Phillip highlighted the nuanced demands of representing pro se clients, stressing the importance of empathy, patience, and clear communication. He offered practical strategies for attorneys, such as setting realistic expectations, identifying critical legal issues early on, and ensuring clients feel supported throughout the process.

“Representing pro se clients requires a unique balance of legal expertise and human connection,” Phillip shared. “It’s about meeting clients where they are and empowering them through informed, ethical advocacy.”

The panel also offered actionable advice for attorneys considering volunteering with the Pro Se Project. Topics included navigating procedural complexities in federal court, building rapport with clients unfamiliar with legal systems, and addressing the often deeply personal nature of many pro se cases.

Attendees left the event inspired by the panelists’ commitment to advancing access to justice and equipped with practical insights to enhance their own legal practices. The Pro Se Project continues to play a vital role in ensuring fairness and equity within the judicial system, demonstrating how the legal community can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those it serves.

Phillip Kitzer’s involvement in the panel reflects his dedication to justice and his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote accessibility and fairness. As advocates for employees and individuals facing workplace challenges, our firm is proud to support efforts like the Pro Se Project, which strengthen the bonds between the legal community and those in need.

For more information about the Pro Se Project or to learn how you can contribute, visit the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association’s website or contact Jackie Bailey, Pro Se Project Coordinator.

Brian Rochel Co-Authors Article Discussing Major Change to Employment Discrimination Law in Bench & Bar of Minnesota

December 9, 2024/in Blog, Employment, Kitzer Rochel News

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 the requirement for plaintiffs to show a “materially significant disadvantage.” The Court ruled that plaintiffs need only demonstrate “some harm” to an identifiable term or condition of employment, broadening the scope for discrimination claims.

Brian co-authored the article with Jenny Gassman-Pines, an experienced trial lawyer at Greene Espel in Minneapolis. Brian and Jenny discuss Muldrow’s implications on employment law claims as well as workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Ali Simon, a Kitzer Rochel law clerk and current University of Minnesota law student, contributed to the article as well.

You can read the article in the latest issue of Bench & Bar of Minnesota here. If you have questions about Muldrow, employment law more generally, or are wondering if you have experienced unlawful harm at work, contact us today.

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