Minneapolis Employment Law Firm

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Employment Law Lawyer for Women Professionals in Minnesota

Understanding the Struggle of Professional Women

Professional women working their way up the corporate ladder face unique challenges. They need an advocate who understands the legal issues which can arise from these challenges. Women at every stage of their employment relationship trust Schaefer Halleen, LLC to provide them with “state of the art” legal advice, and, more importantly, to aggressively advocate for them when difficult issues arise. As a result, the Firm has developed a deep expertise in effectively navigating through the legal issues often faced by female professionals.

Sexual harassment, unequal pay, gender discrimination, and retaliation are too often obstacles faced by professional women, and these obstacles sometimes get more pronounced as a professional woman climbs the corporate ladder.  The lawyers at Schaefer Halleen have deep experience in challenging sexual harassment, unequal pay, gender discrimination, and retaliation at every step of the ladder, from entry-level to the C-Suite.

  • Female Professionals

    Strong Advocacy for Female Professionals

Case Results Involving Female Professionals

Client: Group of women integrating a previously male-only workplace.
Problem: This group (numbering over 25), are then subject to overt sexual harassment, which the employer (and the union), do nothing to prevent, even after complaints are raised.
Approach: After numerous efforts at early resolution fail, we prosecute the caes into litigation, alleging sexual harassment on a “class action” basis.  
Solution: For the first time in US history, a Court certifies the class, then finds class-wide liability, and we proceed through damage hearings for our client, ultimately securing a resolution by settlement which provides significant remedies to each affected class member.
Long-term impact of Solution: Case is made into a best-selling book (Jenson et al v. Eveleth Mines: The case that Changed Sexual Harassment Law, Doubleday, 2001) and later a movie entitled “North Country,” starring Charlize Theron and Woody Harrelson.  The published decisions from the Eveleth Mines litigation have benefited victims of sexual harassment throughout the country.   Tow lead counsel in that litigation, Jena Boler and Larry Schaefer, are leading the litigation function at Schaefer Halleen, which often results in our sexual harassment clients securing favorable results early and avoiding litigation.  

Client: Director-level and above at Target Corporation
Problem: Over the course of the past ten years, we have represented over 50 female Target executives at the Director level or above, including over 15 officer-level female executives, in handling difficult employment issues.  
Approach: We have a detailed and intimate knowledge of the policies and practices in place at Target, including the “Income Continuation Plan,” which is available to VP-level and above employees terminated without cause.  
Solution: Armed with this knowledge and deep experience, we can assist in negotiating appropriate compensation terms upon hire or promotion, or fashion an “exit strategy” which assists our client in maximizing benefits in making a transition, often securing significant enhancement to ICP terms, or securing waiver of post-employment restrictive covenants.

Client: Numerous C-level Executives at large, mid-sized and small employers
Problem: Serious discrimination, harassment or retaliation issues often arise in these employment relationships, which can result in the need for an “exit strategy.”
Approach: Leaders at this level, many C-level clients, are in a unique and often very powerful position when difficult employment issues arise.  The resolution of these issues in potential litigation is a very daunting prospect for the company, and as a result, the leverage this creates when real legal rights are at issue is enormous.  Moreover, in small, privately held corporations, minority shareholder and shareholder oppression rights are often implicated, increasing the resulting leverage in early negotiations.
Solution: We have been able to craft solutions protecting our client’s rights, and allowing them to make transitions to other professional opportunities with ample transition benefits, and their career future intact.

Employment Law Attorneys for Professional Women

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Four Pillars of Advocacy for Female Professionals

Female professionals facing issues in each of these areas need an advocate with deep experience and one who will take a solution-driven approach, rather than prematurely resulting in litigation that can adversely affect the balance of a woman’s career. Schaefer Halleen, employment attorneys provide this advocacy.

This expertise is based on four “pillars” of advocacy, which reflect the difficult challenges unique to women in the workplace.

Pillar I – The American Workplace is not Gender-Blind

First, despite extensive training and often state-of-the art policies, the American workplace is not “gender-blind;” double standards for women persist in denying equal opportunity for many women in “male-dominated” fields and positions. Even when representation for women is leadership roles is at or near parity with men, training, advancement and mentoring opportunities are often not provided for women in the same manner as for men.

Pillar II – Pay Equity is Still a Concept – Not Reality

Second, federal and state laws requiring gender-based “pay equity” are being violated routinely, often without consequence, and this disparity is often more pronounced the higher a woman rises in the corporate hierarchy. This persistent cycle is unfortunately self-perpetuating, as successful women often cannot command the same pay for leadership positions as male counterparts, as the primary consideration in setting pay upon hire or promotion is the pay you received in the last position. This gap therefore generally gets worse over time.

Pillar III – Sexual Harassment is Still Pervasive

Third, sexual harassment persists in so many workplaces, and most women who have reached positions of leadership can relay difficult experiences they’ve had to overcome in this area. Moreover, recent events may have emboldened men who are difficult to train in this area, and who believe they are entitled to “sexualize” the workplace and objectify female colleagues, without consequence.  Schaefer Halleen has a depth of experience in prosecuting sexual harassment cases which is truly extraordinary, including the landmark Jenson v. Eveleth Mines case (the first class action sexual harassment case ever certified by a court), which was adapted into the 2004 movie “North Country”, starring Charlize Theron and Woody Harrelson.  Schaefer Halleen attorneys Jean Boler and Larry Schaefer were instrumental in leading the prosecution of that seminal case.

Pillar IV – There Should be No Stigma Surrounding Leave

Fourth, women often need leave from work more frequently than men, especially as it relates to pregnancy and parenting leave. While the federal and state laws protecting this right are clear that this leave must be granted without penalty, retaliation in this area is often very subtle.  A career trajectory may seem altered because of this leave, or adverse action taken may be taken months or even years after the leave. Experienced legal counsel won’t be deterred by these circumstances.

Recent Posts for Professional Women

Minnesota Protects the Right of Employees to Disclose Their Salary

We here at Schaefer Halleen receive calls from employees wondering if they have the right to discuss their compensation with their co-workers. We’re happy we provide these employees a clear answer: ...

December 20, 2022

BREAKING: Former Sr. Director Sues Target Corp. for Discrimination, Retaliation, and Defamation

Molly Haney, a former Senior Director terminated in September 2021 after almost fourteen years of exceptional performance, has sued Target Corporation in Hennepin County alleging disability and gender...

May 12, 2022

Jury Duty Leave Laws: Are Minnesota Employers Required to Pay You for Jury Duty

The Constitutions of the United States and the State of Minnesota guarantee defendants in criminal cases and litigants in civil cases the right to a trial by jury. Jurors play a crucial role in our co...

October 20, 2020

House Passes Bill on Paid Family Leave Act

As employment attorneys, we often see employees who need to take time off to care for their loved ones or their own medical issues but are unable to afford the unpaid time available under the FMLA.  ...

October 6, 2020
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Filed Under: Women Professionals

Schaefer Halleen, LLC

Schaefer Halleen, LLC is located at:
412 S 4th St
Suite 1050
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: 612-294-2600
Fax: 612-294-2640
Email: info@schaeferhalleen.com
www.schaeferhalleen.com

Google Rating
4.5
Based on 47 reviews
Schaefer Halleen, LLC
Schaefer Halleen, LLC
4.5
Leann Barrick
Leann Barrick
05:00 25 Jan 23
I highly recommend this law firm. Peter took his time to explain how the legal practice would work so I knew what to expect and Jenelle showed compassion when listening to my needs. Peter resolved the settlement fast and I think you find out you'll be happy with this firm as well.
Smook Music
Smook Music
16:34 27 Dec 22
Jeff Hilligoss
Jeff Hilligoss
15:03 05 Dec 22
Larry Schaefer and the professionals at Schaefer Halleen are the team you want in your court for employment law matters. Consummate professionals, their expert, clear-eyed advice and counsel has been invaluable to me over the course of my career. And they are a delight to work with!
Tom Emison
Tom Emison
14:53 22 Nov 22
Tim Christensen is simply amazing; evenings, weekends, whatever it took to serve me. thank you Tim!
Mark Copeland
Mark Copeland
22:46 17 Nov 22
Tim was fantastic and really paid attention to detail. I recommend him and the firm to anyone who has employment legal issues.Mark Copeland
c verdick
c verdick
13:47 15 Nov 22
Peter and Makenzie were great to work with. Highly recommend.
Keely Hooper
Keely Hooper
17:48 02 May 22
Caroline Allen
Caroline Allen
10:56 03 Feb 22
I worked with Larry on a severance negotiation and was incredibly pleased with the work he did. He gave great advice and helped me end the negotiation in a very favorable spot.
Kit White
Kit White
18:22 07 Jun 21
I would highly recommend working with this firm if you're dealing with a legal case. They are so responsive, kind and compassionate. Darren made me feel heard and fought for me throughout the entirety of my case. It was not an easy experience, as legal cases tend to bring up a lot of emotions and trauma, but this firm will fight for you and make you feel heard. Highly, highly recommend.
Marcia
Marcia
14:18 02 Jun 21
I highly recommend Peter Christian and Shaefer Halleen. Clear communication and planning were key to our success. The team I worked with was empathetic and sensitive to my situation, and always helped me understand the overall legal process and what to expect during our case.
Amy A Houchins-Post
Amy A Houchins-Post
14:00 10 Mar 21
Lia
Lia
22:13 26 Feb 21
Peter and Lauren are patient and understanding. They considered my case from every angle possible. They also took the time to educate me a bit on how the law works. Very impressed!
Julie Koritz
Julie Koritz
01:27 25 Feb 21
Peter and Jacob did a great job getting me a settlement. I am very fortunate to have worked with them.
DeAijha Oliver
DeAijha Oliver
05:22 30 Dec 20
Henry V
Henry V
15:56 25 Sep 20
I worked with Larry Schaefer and Lauren D'Cruz. They enthusiastically took up my case. They showed creativity, good judgment and deep knowledge of the law in formulating the theory of the case. They also struck a fine balance between zealous advocacy and risk management. They were very responsive and provided timely status updates throughout our engagement. They took genuine interest in me as a person. I would recommend Schaefer Halleen to my family and friends without reservation.
Constance Lewis
Constance Lewis
15:46 10 Aug 20
I had the opportunity to work with Peter Christian. He was amazing to work with. He believed in my case from the moment we spoke and was diligent in working for me. He kept me in the loop on every aspect of my case, he allowed me to have input before decisions were made and fought for me from the very beginning to the end. He was prompt and followed through on everything he said he would. Peter was very professional, and timely. I truly appreciate the time and dedication to my case. Thank you Peter for taking the chance with my case and fighting for me. With Peter's expertise, my case was settled with a positive and favorable outcome. You were a pleasure to work with and I would highly recommend your services. Thank you again!
B Bowlby
B Bowlby
15:46 24 Apr 20
I cannot recommend Schaefer Halleen highly enough. I had a particularly hard employment issue and I found the people at S.H. to be excellent to work with. They are all very professional, very intelligent, handled me and my situation with care and always kept me up to date on where my case was at. In the rare instance when I contacted them by either phone or email I received a near immediate response.I was always made to feel that I was important and I always felt I was being given advice I could trust. At the end of the day my case was settled in a very timely manor and I am very pleased with how it turned out.Finally, the lawyers and staff at S.H. are some of the most experienced people in their industry and I was very impressed with their past accomplishments. I knew I could trust S.H. to handle my case after the very first meeting. If you need employment law help, Schaefer Halleen, LLC is the one and only firm I would recommend.
Roland Awasome
Roland Awasome
13:32 02 Apr 20
I am a professional and worked with many attorneys in the past. Peter is hands down the best out there. I can’t recommend him enough .
Laura H
Laura H
14:10 21 Feb 20
I am so thankful I found the Schaefer Hallen team to help me through one of the most difficult times in my life. Lauren always took the time to listen and was respectful and professional. Her attention to detail is impeccable, and she helped organize all my random thoughts and emails to help strengthen my case. Larry and Lauren kept me informed throughout the whole process and always made me feel like I was in control. With their expertise, my case was settled efficiently and with a positive outcome.
Mevhibe Atay
Mevhibe Atay
20:03 19 Feb 20
I had a great experience with the firm. My attorney Darren Sharp was very efficient, knowledgeable and kept me informed at every step. Very trustworthy and professional.
Ioannis Karampelas
Ioannis Karampelas
15:45 12 Sep 19
Extremely professional and humane treatment towards me as a person in severe trouble, perplexed by conditions generated totally out of my control. This law firm is outstanding.
Katy Eagle
Katy Eagle
16:54 16 May 19
Overall, the firm is great! Lauren D'Cruz is organized, thoughtful, and very pleasant to work with. I have enjoyed my interactions with everyone at Schaefer Halleen over the years. I highly recommend the firm and Ms. D'Cruz.
M. Malik
M. Malik
20:11 05 Apr 19
It is with great pleasure that I write this for Mr Schaefer and his capable people comprised of talent and empathy. I had a fear of Attorneys (due to my own weakness, no disrespect to the legal profession), but I felt pleasantly surprised after my visit to his firm located in the heart of Minneapolis - my home city that I am passionate about. Larry's office emblomized everything that I look for. The attorneys, the administrative staff, the decor, it all felt "happy" and "inter-connected". I had thought my case was too too hard to understand by others, however due to Larry's brilliance and savvy, it became evident to me that he understood it very well. He had a clear line of action and a resolve to seek justice with ethics. That was all that I desired. I hope Larry's office continues to serve the disability community, that it prospers, grows, and makes Minneapolis the best city in the world.
Sameh Said
Sameh Said
16:21 04 Apr 19
I am very thankful to Larry for helping me through a very difficult time of my life. My former employer discriminated against me and treated me very badly and I was forced to resign to end my struggle with this employer. I did not know what to do or who I can find to help me getting through this and restore my reputation and my employment. I met with several layers prior to my meeting with Larry and I can tell the difference immediately when I engaged with him. Larry told me what will happen in the first meeting and despite my process took several months, he was able to predict the successful outcome just through listening to me in that very first meeting. He has complete understanding of all employment related issues, he is focused and dedicated to help his clients getting back on track. His strategic thinking and the steps he made were the key to success. He also has a wonderful team that are just the right team to help. Quick response and timely feedback about what is going on with the case so you are always in the loop with the next step. Now I moved on to a new and a better employer and I feel I am beginning a new and a good chapter in my life, and I feel I can't thank Larry or his wonderful team enough for what they did to me and how they supported me to get through probably the worst chapter in my life.Thank you Larry
Rebecca Thavis
Rebecca Thavis
17:14 02 Apr 19
Larry truly went above and beyond. In each step of the case, he made sure I was aware of what was happening and the next steps. He called frequently, and followed my choices, making sure that I felt in control. I never felt like a victim, or less- he helped inspire me to fight for what I needed and deserved. If I had to go through it again, no questions asked, I would want Larry by my side every step of the way. His team is well organized, efficient, kind and discrete. I am forever grateful that Schaefer Halleen represented me, and I highly suggest them for any and all people who need empowering representation.
Joanne Simons
Joanne Simons
21:30 26 Mar 19
Excellent experience, outstanding staff, expedient, caring, respectful.
Jessie Lecy
Jessie Lecy
00:22 18 Mar 19
The humanness and genuine care for their clients separates this firm from others and makes it best in class.
John Styliaras
John Styliaras
23:55 17 Mar 19
Larry and his team at Schaefer Halleen helped bring to resolution issues at the workplace in an amicable manner. When I first approached Larry, I was not even sure what steps to take, what to do, did not even know if I needed a lawyer, or why I needed a lawyer. All I knew was that friends and colleagues told me to reach out to a lawyer. And when I asked around, his name and his firm's name kept on being mentioned by many. And the reputation was well deserved.Larry patiently and deliberately listened to my story, and then explained to me exactly why I needed a lawyer, and how he could help me. Immediately he laid out the plan about how to proceed. Instantly I was put at ease. Throughout a very long process, he provided me advice and guidance and was always willing to talk to me on the phone, whenever there were either updates, or I had questions and concerns.I am absolutely certain that I would had not been able to reach the resolution without Larry's and his team's steadfast guidance, advice, and impressive work. I recommend Larry and his firm unconditionally - the very best in the field.John C. Styliaras MD,MS
Ricardo Vidal Gonzalez
Ricardo Vidal Gonzalez
18:49 12 Dec 18
I highly recommend the Schaefer Halleen law firm. Larry Schaefer was always available to answer any questions and his team was very professional. They work hard to get results and take the time to listen to the client’s goals.
annette miller
annette miller
00:40 07 Nov 18
I found the team to be professional, respectful and very well versed in employment law. I would recommend them to anyone looking for advice or expertise in this area.
Lynn Hassan Jones
Lynn Hassan Jones
14:18 31 Oct 18
I am a physician who recently hired Schaefer and Halleen to represent me in an employment discrimination case, my Atty was Jean Boler ESQ.They provided top-tier legal services to me for my case 2017 through my settlement in 1st qtr of 2018.This was excellent legal representation, specifically - very responsive, very prompt, extremely detailed and never off-putting.Absolutely would recommend without reservation!
Doc MoSho
Doc MoSho
19:40 02 Jul 18
They were attentive and responsive and dod a great job of diffusing the tension in a situation that could have been quite adversarial. They also did an excellent job of level setting before the process proceeded to far in an unrealistic direction. Great work.
the Dodger
the Dodger
14:28 04 Jun 18
Joyce Jenkins
Joyce Jenkins
19:03 02 Jun 18
Larry has been a great resource for several years. His response time, quality of response and follow up are excellent. He has been flexible enough to answer an impromptu calI and get a response back within an hour. I recall talking to Larry early one morning when there was 8" of snow and most businesses were closed. He was the only one in the office to keep my appointment.I have recommended Larry to more than a dozen of my friends and colleagues and I feel very comfortable recommending him to anyone.Derek Jenkins
John
John
23:57 01 Jun 18
An honest lawyer? YES! Larry was fantastic and I can’t thank him enough for his unbiased advice and support.
Ravi Balwada
Ravi Balwada
21:00 01 Jun 18
Larry is amazing. Very professional, takes the time to listen, is very knowledgeable and respected and if he says he can get you justice - you can count on it.
John Wichmann
John Wichmann
20:19 01 Jun 18
Larry and his team did an amazing job! They completed a task very smoothly and successfully that others said couldn't be done. I would hire him again in a heart beat.
Anne Dament
Anne Dament
18:52 01 Jun 18
Larry Schaefer is an incredible leader with an outstanding team of experts. They listen and care about their clients and work very hard on your behalf, educating you on your rights and guiding you through the process along the way. Everyone on the team is helpful and kind. 5 stars.
Bea Abdallah
Bea Abdallah
18:01 01 Jun 18
I strongly recommend this firm — so much so I once referred a colleague who they also helped. The firm is focused on their client’s specific issues, and unlike other attorneys I’ve worked with, they keep ongoing communication with you as the case advances. I am impressed with the professionalism and strong leadership from the staff, and deeply grateful for their good work.
Joanna Ramirez
Joanna Ramirez
16:54 01 Jun 18
I am grateful to Larry and his team. They did an excellent job of educating me about the legal process and keeping me updated on the status of my case. They had first hand knowledge about employment law in that they worked to get some of the legislation established.
Brett Rizk
Brett Rizk
12:26 13 Feb 17
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