New Associate Joins Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.
July 1, 2016 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.Barna, Guzy & Steffen LTD. announces the addition of a new associate to our firm. Nicole R. Wiebold has joined the firm’s Transportation Law and Computer & Software law departments. She will be working closely with attorneys practicing in the firm’s growing Transportation and Computer Software areas serving existing clients and enhancing the firm’s ability to serve new areas of the community. Before joining the BGS law firm, Nicole had experience as an associate attorney in litigation, estate planning and business transaction matters. She also served as a Judicial Extern for 10th Judicial District Judge Kathleen Mottl and a Hamline’s Dean Summer Fellow for 1st Judicial District Chief Judge Terrence E. Conkel. Nicole graduated summa cum laude from Hamline University School of Law in May 2015 and was ranked in the top 10{a0c01d20c42349884e67ff80c137866b0a9fe47aaae8f8a86a605a369ae487c3}. While at Hamline she was on the Dean’s list, was a Hamline Law Review Associate Editor, and received the CALI Excellence for the Future awards five times. Nicole also obtained a Paralegal certificate from Minnesota Paralegal Institute in 2009 where she graduated with a 4.0, and a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota, Morris in 2008. Nicole is excited about this new opportunity in her legal career.
Read MoreScott Lepak Presenting on Mental Health and Addiction Issues
June 15, 2016 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.Nationally recognized BGS employment law attorney Scott Lepak is presenting today in St. Cloud today on mental health and addiction issues in the workplace. Speaking at the Advanced Employment Issues conference for the Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust, Scott is providing his perspective and advice on this growing issue in the workplace. “Advising on mental health and addiction issues in the workplace is a regular part of my practice”, Scott says, “Employers have become much more adept at dealing with mental health issues since the Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990.” He added, “With the nationally recognized opioid problem, employers are now becoming more adept at recognizing issues arising from the illegal use of drugs.” Scott notes that, while the ADA provides protections for individuals who have successfully completed a supervised drug program or are participating in a supervised rehabilitation program, there is an important exception. Individuals who currently engage in the illegal use of drugs are specifically excluded from the definition of an individual with a disability when an employer takes action on the basis of their current use. Scott says that successfully navigating between protected status and unprotected conduct is an area where an employer should immediately contact their employment attorney when an issue arises.
Read MoreTherapeutic Horses Helping People in Oak Grove: Stable Pathways' Story
June 8, 2016 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.BGS Legal Administrative Assistant Sarah Thies has been volunteering with Stable Pathways for five years and serves on their Board of Directors. She became involved with the group after hearing about the need for volunteers to help lead the horses and walk along side the riders. Stable Pathways is located at Oak Haven Farm in Oak Grove, MN . It provides equine-assisted activities for people living with physical and cognitive challenges under the careful direction of either a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International Certified Instructor or a Minnesota licensed Occupational Therapist. Sarah says that therapeutic horseback riding helps riders “organize” body and brain. Sarah explained that the horse’s gait is most similar to a human gait so riding provides a connection to a natural rhythmic movement from the horse that stimulated the rider’s body and brain. Stable Pathways was recently featured in local television programming CTN Coon Rapids. This coverage is a great way for Stable Pathways to promote its mission “to empower, strengthen, and inspire those living with disabilities through horse-assisted activities.” Watch Here
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