Barbara J. Felt
Barbara J. Felt had an inauspicious launch into her legal career. When an attorney helped her navigate the legal process following a severe car crash, she saw first-hand the benefit of fully understanding the system. Compelled to put that knowledge and power to good purpose, Barbara enrolled in William Mitchell Law School, and forged ahead. Now, nearly 25 years later, she has built a successful legal practice while staying tuned to her calling to help others.
A partner at Halunen Law, Barbara joined the Firm in 2012 and brought a wealth of litigation and life experience with her. She represents individual employees who have experienced illegal conduct in the workplace. In addition to being an effective litigator, Barbara is an empathetic listener. And for many clients, that’s the best place to start. Barbara understands the trauma people face after they’ve been wrongfully terminated or experienced discrimination at a job because of race, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation or other reasons. Her deep, personal empathy and understanding are welcome traits to those who walk in her door.
Barbara’s ability to combine fortitude and compassion has garnered impressive results for her clients and recognition in and out of the courtroom. Honored as a “Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers Minnesota, Barbara is a member of several professional associations and has served as a presented at legal conferences. Having grown up in Mexico City, Mexico, and Valencia, Venezuela, Barbara’s uniquely multi-cultural sensitivity influences her professional and personal pursuits. An avid arts supporter, you may find her at a community art fair supporting local artists, or at one of the metro area’s many performing arts venues.
“We often tie our identity to our employment. When someone suddenly loses their job, they are stunned, lost and confused. I understand. I take the time to listen to their story, and then we set out to rectify the situation.”
Areas of Practice
- Employment Litigation – Employee
- Employment Discrimination
- Harassment
- Retaliation
- Consumer Fraud
- Class and Collective Actions
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 1992
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1993
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1996
- U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 2009
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota
- J.D. – 1992
- Mexican Legal Studies Program, Mexico City, Mexico (1990)
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) – 1980
- Honors: Presidential Scholar, Honors Program
- Major: Art History
- Minor: Spanish
Published Works
- The Employment Law Report: Transgender Employees: It’s Not Just About Biology, Minnesota Trial Lawyer, Summer, 2002
- Same-Sex Discrimination and Chapter: Transgender Discrimination, MTLA’s Employment Law Handbook, 2002
- The Employment Law Report: Same-Sex Harassment: It’s Not Just “Locker Room” Behavior, Minnesota Trial Lawyer, Fall, 2001
- Tips For New Lawyers: Appellate Practice – The Minnesota Court of Appeals, Minnesota Trial Lawyer, Winter, 1998
- Sex Discrimination, MTLA’s Employment Law Handbook, 1998
Representative Cases
- In re Universal Service Fund Telephone Billing Practices Litig. (10th Cir. 2010)
- In re TFT-LCD (Flat Panel) Antitrust Litig. (N.D. Cal.)
- Katz v. Fidelity Nat. Title Ins. Co. (N.D. Ohio)
- In re Pharm. Industry Average Wholesale Price Litig. (E.D. Mass.)
- D.M.S. v. Barber, 645 N.W.2d 383 (Minn. 2002)
- Mems v. City of St. Paul, 224 F.3d 735 (8th Cir. 2000)
- Jones v. Yellow Freight Systems, Inc., 2000 WL 1052167 (Minn. App. 2000)
- Doe v. Redeemer Lutheran Church, 555 N.W.2d 325 (Minn. App. 1997)
Classes/Seminars
- “Transgender Discrimination Issues”, National Employment Lawyers Association, Minnesota Chapter, January 8, 2002
- “Evaluating Sexual Harassment Cases”, 18th Annual Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, Minnesota State Bar Association, May 30, 2001
- “Which Cases to Take and What to Do With Them”, Effectively Handling Plaintiffs’ Employment Law Cases, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association, January 12, 2001
- “Depositions That Win Cases”, Employment Litigation Skills Training, American Bar Association, October 31, 2000
- “Preparing Your Client for Deposition”, Employment Law Roundtable, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association, October 17, 2000
- “Basic Employment Law”, All District Legal Education, West Group CLE, October 9, 2000
Honors and Awards
- Rising Star, Minnesota Law and Politics and Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine, 2001 – 2002
- Superlawyer, Minnesota Law and Politics and Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine, 2003 – 2004, 2014-2016
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- National Employment Lawyers Association, Minnesota Chapter
- Federal Bar Association
- Minnesota Association for Justice, Co-Chair, Employment Law Section, 2000 – 2002
- National Employment Lawyers Association, Minnesota Chapter, Board of Directors, 2000 – 2003
Past Employment Positions
- Heins Mills & Olson, Officer, 2004 – 2010
- Blackwell Igbanugo P.A., Special Counsel, 2002 – 2004
- Reinhardt & Anderson, Partner, 1990 – 2002