Category: Our Attorneys

Experienced Elder Law/Elder Care and Special Needs Planning Attorney Cathryn Reher Joins Barna, Guzy & Steffen Law Firm

July 26, 2021  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

Attorney Cathryn Reher has joined the firm as a Shareholder with more than 30 years of experience. She is recognized for her thorough and detailed estate and long-term care planning analysis and passionate advocacy on behalf of her clients. Cathryn will work closely with our existing team of Estate Planning Attorneys, enhancing the firm’s ability to serve our community. She is certified in federal veterans benefits and has assisted clients with Veterans Homes planning since 1993. Since the 1990s, Cathryn has regularly served as faculty and makes presentations on elder law and special needs planning topics at continuing legal education courses for attorneys through Minnesota CLE and the Minnesota NAELA chapter. She also teaches courses to non-legal professionals obtaining continuing education credits and served as faculty for more than a decade with Kaplan Professional Schools. Long recognized as a leader in her field of law, Cathryn has received multiple accolades from peers and clients over the years.  She has been repeatedly named a Super Lawyer, including an award as ‘Top 5 Elder Law Super Lawyer.’ The Minnesota State Bar association awarded her the 2005 Mary Alice Gooderl Award and in 2019 she was named to the Elder Law Section Hall of Fame. Elder Law/Elder Care and Special Needs Planning impacts everyone, not just…

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Scott Lepak Named to the Public Employment Relations Board

November 19, 2020  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd. is pleased to announce that Governor Walz has appointed shareholder Scott Lepak to serve on the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). Scott will serve as the alternate public employer’s representative. The Board is the body charged with addressing unfair labor practice charges under the public sector labor relations law. This Board was originally active from 1971 to 1991 and was recreated in 2014.  Scott is a shareholder in our labor and employment section. He has been working in this area for well over 30 years. Scott noted that he appeared before this Board as an advocate during its original mission. He is delighted to now serve in this new capacity. He also pointed out, in response to numerous questions from public employer clients, that he will continue to represent public sector employer and municipal clients.  “This is very much a less than part time gig,” Scott said. “We needed another representative to get cases processed when the regular public sector board member had a conflict or was unavailable. I am excited to join the well-regarded members of this Board when needed as an alternate.”  Congratulations, Scott, on your appointment to the Minnesota Public Employment Relations Board. Scott M. Lepak has represented employers on labor and employment matters in…

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BGS Attorney Scott Lepak to Present on Labor Relations from a Pandemic Perspective on November 10

November 5, 2020  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

COVID-19 has raised new questions and concerns for employers everywhere. To help owners understand and address these unprecedented circumstances, BGS Attorney Scott Lepak will be co-presenting a free, one-hour webinar on labor relations from a pandemic perspective at 11 a.m. on Tuesday November 10, 2020. Sponsored by the League of Minnesota Cities, this webinar will explore how to avoid common pitfalls while successfully leading and managing employees during a pandemic. The free, hour-long session will address best practices in the following areas:  Understanding how to establish and maintain management rights Exploring common mistakes when responding to grievances and ways to avoid them Reviewing ways to respond to unfair labor practice claims Learning negotiation skills and how to manage critical workers during a pandemic To register for the webinar, go to: https://www.lmc.org/learning-events/events/league-events/free-webinar-labor-relations-practices-from-a-pandemic-perspective/. Scott Lepak authored a treatise of the Minnesota Public Sector Labor Law and is one of Barna, Guzy & Steffen’s highly knowledgeable and experienced labor law attorneys. Our talented team of business law professionals is here to discuss your specific needs and provide innovative legal solutions. Contact us today to learn more.

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