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MINNEAPOLIS, MN:  Halunen Law is pleased to announce attorney Christopher Empson has joined its Employment Litigation Group. As a member of this team, Empson isChris-2024-web committed to fighting for employee rights and gaining justice for individuals who experience illegal workplace actions. He brings to the group a keen interest and undergraduate studies in psychology, business law, and economics—areas that provide useful perspectives when working to resolve the employment law matters that bring clients to the Firm. Empson is dedicated to providing exceptional client representation consistent with Halunen Law’s goal of achieving transformational outcomes for its clients.

“While serving as a law clerk, Chris became an invaluable member of the firm,” said Employment Litigation Group lead Josh Newville. “He’s an important part of the group, and we are thrilled to have him join our team of talented attorneys. We look forward to his continued contributions in the years ahead.”

After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Empson received his law degree from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law. A native of Illinois, Empson has adopted the Twin Cities as his new home. He enjoys the seasonal changes, outdoor activities, and spending time with friends exploring the Twin Cities. 

About Halunen Law: With offices in Minneapolis and Chicago, Halunen Law offers experienced legal representation for employees, whistleblowers, and those who have experienced illegal workplace actions. The Firm has achieved a reputation as a fearless, tenacious, and successful plaintiffs’ law firm focused squarely on achieving justice for its clients and creating workplace and societal change. For more information, visit halunenlaw.com.

In the March 12 article “Dellinger Exit Deepens OSC Politicization as Workers LoseAlly,” Bloomberg Law writer Khorri Atkinson examines the Trump administration’s termination, without explanation, of Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger as part of the president’s broader effort to seize control of independent agencies, and the potentially wide-ranging impact of these actions.

Asked to provide his perspective on Dellinger’s departure and decision to drop his case, Halunen Law attorney Paul Schinner offered that unless the Supreme Court intervenes in a similar dispute and clarifies the president’s authority to dismiss the head or a member of an independent federal agency, Dellinger’s firing may have set a precedent that allows future presidents to exert greater control over these agencies. He added, “It will be interesting what they do; whether they’ll replace Dellinger with someone more aligned with” the purported objectives of Elon Musk and his Department of Government
Efficiency to weed out fraud and wasteful spending, “or dismantle the Office of Special Counsel because they think it’s unnecessary.”

Read the full article, “Dellinger Exit Deepens OSC Politicization as Workers Lose Ally”

Paul Schinner

As a member of Halunen Law’s legal team, attorney Paul Schinner offers years of experience in employment law, with keen legal insights, hard-nosed negotiation skills, and a proven record of obtaining successful outcomes. Paul also has extensive experience navigating False Claims Act litigation and has represented whistleblower clients in these complex federal cases across a range of industries.

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MSBA’s Commitment to Inclusivity and Equal Justice
— A Statement from the MSBA President —

February 12, 2025 — Despite recent national events, the Minnesota State Bar Association remains steadfast in its commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the legal community. We believe that the diversity of our membership strengthens us, and we will continue to welcome and support every member of our community, regardless of gender, race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigration status.

All Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs offered by the MSBA are fully compliant with the law. None of our DEI initiatives have ever involved illegal discrimination. Supporting every member of the legal community is central to our mission.

As the association representing the legal community in Minnesota, we are called to defend equal justice under the law for everyone, including the fundamental freedoms of speech and association. Lawyers are the guardians of the Constitution, and we take that responsibility seriously. We will not stay silent while the rights of individuals or groups are threatened. We will continue to be a voice for inclusivity, equity, and justice in the legal community.

Samuel Edmunds
2024-2025 President
Minnesota State Bar Association

For more than 25 years, Halunen Law has been committed to protecting employee rights. Regardless of social or political headwinds, our dedication to equity and justice has never wavered. Our firm and its attorneys stand in solidarity with the MSBA’s recently affirmed commitment to diversity and inclusivity and the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and association. We commend the MSBA’s ongoing leadership on behalf of Minnesota’s legal community and join them in the continued fight for justice for all people.

Minnesota Star Tribune writer Mike Hughlett reports on a transgender harassment case against Walmart in a recent article: “After state ruling against Walmart, transgender man sues over harassment at West St. Paul Store.” The article provides a detailed account of the case and highlights national studies indicating widespread on-the-job harassment of transgender people. It notes that Minnesota has strong protections for transgender employees as one of 23 states with laws prohibiting transgender discrimination. The United States Supreme Court held in the 2020 Bostock case that Title VII’s antidiscrimination protections include transgender employees, but the use of federal law to protect these employees is under attack. Noting that Bostock is “the law of the land,” Halunen Law employment attorney Josh Newville commented:  “..given the Trump administration’s anti-transgender stance, I’m greatly concerned that the EEOC is not going to enforce the law,” adding, “For LGBT persons in states lacking protection against employment discrimination, it’s a scary time.”

Read the full article from the Minnesota Star Tribune.

If you or someone you know has experienced gender or other forms of workplace discrimination, we encourage you to learn more about employment rights and protections on the Minnesota Department of Human Rights website and the Halunen Law website. If, upon reviewing this information, you believe you may have a case, you can submit a Case Review Form or call us at 612-605-4098 to speak with one of our Intake Specialists.

NewvilleA tenacious litigator who frequently obtains favorable outcomes for those he represents, Josh Newville leads Halunen Law’s Employment Litigation Group. He is a skilled, thoughtful, and determined professional who brings more than a decade of experience, a deep dedication to civil rights, and a commitment to excellence to his legal practice.

In his “Whistleblowing 101” article, Halunen Law employment attorney Paul Schinner offers key steps for people to consider when blowing the whistle on illegal workplace activity. These include knowing the laws protecting whistleblowers, taking tangible actions to build your case, and seeing the value of having an experienced employment law attorney at the helm. Worth a read, this article offers valuable guidance for potential whistleblowers.

Read the full article as published in the Legal Reader (PDF)

Paul SchinnerAs a member of Halunen Law’s legal team, attorney Paul Schinner offers years of experience in employment law, with keen legal insights, hard-nosed negotiation skills, and a proven record of obtaining successful outcomes. Paul also has extensive experience navigating False Claims Act litigation and has represented whistleblower clients in these complex federal cases across a range of industries.

 

With a successful practice in employment law and False Claims Act cases, Halunen Law attorney Paul Schinner

represents whistleblowers who speak up against illegal actions in their workplace. His extensive experience provides real-world insights for his recently published article, “Whistleblower 101: Protection Laws to Know Before You Speak.” Readers will find a useful guide to the statutes that protect whistleblowers along with steps and strategies to consider before blowing the whistle.

Read the full article as published in Attorney at Law Magazine (PDF)

Paul SchinnerAs a member of Halunen Law’s legal team, attorney Paul Schinner offers years of experience in employment law, with keen legal insights, hard-nosed negotiation skills, and a proven record of obtaining successful outcomes. Paul also has extensive experience navigating False Claims Act litigation and has represented whistleblower clients in these complex federal cases across a range of industries.

In a recent Bloomberg Law article, “Trump’s DEI Order Creates Murky Fraud Risks for Contractors,” reporter Khorri Atkinson explores a number of issues including the possibility that the False Claims Act could be used against federal contractors if they do not comply with Trump’s recent executive order prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Halunen Law attorney Paul Schinner weighs in, offering the order is “riddled with ambiguities” and has “no definition section. What jumped out is that the order uses buzzwords that Republicans have used to attack DEI efforts,” and states “the FCA could potentially be litigants preferred legal route.” However, he adds, “It’s very possible to maintain some form of intentional effort to boost inclusivity without running afoul” of the new administration’s order and the law.”

Read the full article as it appeared in Bloomberg Law (PDF)

Paul SchinnerAs a member of Halunen Law’s legal team, attorney Paul Schinner offers years of experience in employment law, with keen legal insights, hard-nosed negotiation skills, and a proven record of obtaining successful outcomes. Paul also has extensive experience navigating False Claims Act litigation and has represented whistleblower clients in these complex federal cases across a range of industries.

 

Minnesota Lawyer recently spoke with Halunen Law’’s employment litigation group leader, Josh Newville, along with Matthew Bodie, Robins Kaplan professor at the University of Minnesota Law School, to get their impressions on what may be in store. In “What’s ahead in employment law?” reporter Laura Brown explores the changes Labor and Employment Law may undergo under Trump’s second presidential administration. Bodie and Newville see the potential for even greater changes than the usual back and forth between political parties. In the article, Newville, who has championed LGBTQ rights throughout his career, speculates on the new administration’s impact on anti-discrimination policies, the role of the EEOC, state protections, and more. 


“Trump 2.0 might be even more aggressive. At this point, we are going to see an effort to target diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at various companies. It is almost that he signaled the EEOC will now, which I think is probable a first in history, be treating DEI initiatives as if they are discriminatory, which, I’m curious to see how that plays out.”

Read the full article (PDF) 

NewvilleEmployment litigation group leader Josh Newville is a tenacious litigator who frequently obtains favorable outcomes for those he represents. In more than a decade of practicing law, Josh has handled high-profile cases, secured millions of dollars for his clients, and won victories at the Minnesota Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals.

 

HR Daily Advisor, a widely-recognized website offering resources for HR professionals, recently published attorney Pamela Johnson’s article, “Workplace Harassment and Discrimination: What’s the Difference?” The article provides a thorough, thoughtful examination of the complexities of workplace harassment and discrimination, why understanding the difference is important, and steps employees can take to address these illegal actions.

“Unfortunately, regardless of company size or job title, any employee can be subject to both harassment and discrimination. Yet there is a common misunderstanding of what exactly constitutes workplace harassment and discrimination. By having a clear understanding of what they are and how they can be connected, employees will gain a deeper understanding of how to protect themselves. Ultimately, everyone deserves to know their rights and their legal options.”

Read the full article (PDF) 9B5DCAAC-96B8-47B5-879C-48B3EF12E72C

Committed to clients’ rights, Halunen Law attorney Pamela Johnson is particularly passionate about representing employees and believes strongly that everyone should be treated fairly, especially in the workplace. She brings the power of persuasion, an impressive reputation for advocacy and achievement, and a depth of legal knowledge to bear for all those she represents.

In “Harassment and discrimination in the workplace: Understanding the difference,” published in BenefitsPro, veteran employment attorney Pamela Johnson offers insights into complex workplace dynamics and how employees can identify and respond to illegal workplace activity.

Johnson shares, “The hard truth is that in workplaces large and small, regardless of position, employees can be the target of harassment, discrimination, or both. Having a clear understanding of what workplace harassment and discrimination are, and when the two are linked, can go a long way in helping you understand your rights, and by extension, what legal options may be available to you.”

Read the full article as published on Benefits Pro (download PDF)

9B5DCAAC-96B8-47B5-879C-48B3EF12E72CAs a member of Halunen Law’s Employment Litigation Group, attorney Pamela Johnson has an impressive reputation for advocacy and achievement, bringing the power of persuasion and a depth of legal knowledge to bear for all those she represents.

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