BGS Attorney Elizabeth A. Schading named Fellow of the American Bar Foundation

July 11, 2012  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

Barna, Guzy and Steffen Family Law Attorney Elizabeth Schading was recently named a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. The American Bar Foundation works to advance justice through research on law, legal institutions and legal processes. Some of their current research covers topics such as: end-of-life decision making, the value of early childhood education and tort reform issues. The Fellows is an honorary organization of attorneys, judges and legal professors whose professional, public and private careers demonstrate outstanding dedication to the welfare of their communities and the principles of the legal profession. The Fellows encourage and support the research program of the American Bar Foundation. Liz celebrated this honor at a recent summer event at the home of Barbara J. Gislason, Esq., on July 8th, 2012. She is pictured here at the event with Lisa Kallemeyn, Esq. of Kallemeyn and Kallemeyn, Coon Rapids. Established in 1938, Barna, Guzy & Steffen provides a variety of legal services for individuals, companies and governmental agencies and has worked with thousands of clients in the metro area. For more information about the firm, visit www.bgs.com. A Tradition of Service since 1938

Read More

Labor/Employment Law Attorney Scott Lepak to Present Free Webinar

June 21, 2012  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

BGS Attorney Scott Lepak will be presenting a free webinar hosted by the League of Minnesota Cities. This webinar on “City Employees and Off-Duty Conduct” will take place on Thursday, July 12, 10-11 am and is free and open to the public. According to Scott, regulating off duty conduct in the age of social media has become one of the most difficult issues for employers to deal with as courts and regulatory agencies attempt to fit the conduct of today’s tech savvy employee into laws that were passed over 50 years ago. The webinar will focus on issues regarding what actions a city can take when its employees engage in off-duty conduct that is illegal, unethical or could harm the reputation of the city. Listeners will learn the answers to questions/problems such as: • What type of off-duty conduct can a city regulate or use as a basis of discipline? • What rights and limitations do cities have to consider when it comes to regulating employee conduct or speech? • Questions and issues regarding social media guidelines and discipline for negative Facebook postings. • How arbitrators in labor cases have rules on cases involving off duty conduct. People interested in attending such a webinar may include city managers, administrators, HR staff, city attorneys,…

Read More

BGS ATTORNEY ELECTED AS OFFICIAL OF ANOKA COUNTY BAR ASSOC.

June 12, 2012  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

BGS Attorney Karen K. Kurth has been elected as the Secretary of the Anoka County Bar Association for 2012-2013. Karen practices in the firm’s Employment Law and Business Litigation section focusing her practice on commercial litigation, employment litigation and counseling, construction litigation, real estate litigation, landlord/tenant law, shareholder disputes, and appellate advocacy. Karen’s extensive background in accounting and commercial insurance enhances her ability to evaluate and successfully resolve a broad range of employment and commercial litigation issues. Karen received her J.D. at William Mitchell College of Law in 2002, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She was admitted to the Minnesota State Bar in 2002 and to the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota in 2004. Karen joined Barna, Guzy, & Steffen as an associate in 2004. The Anoka County Bar Association is the 21st district of the Minnesota State Bar Association. Its membership is primarily made up of attorneys that live or work in Anoka County. The organization seeks to help lawyers become better lawyers by providing social and educational opportunities for its members. It seeks to aid the courts in the administration of justice. It also seeks to provide social information to the public about the law, including connecting people who need legal services with lawyers who practice in relevant practice…

Read More