Education
- Creighton University School of Law (J.D., Magna Cum Laude, 2011)
- Wayne State College (B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 2006)
Admissions
- Iowa (2011)
- Nebraska (2011: Sustaining Member)
- South Dakota (2022)
- U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska (2011)
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Iowa (2012)
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa (2018)
- U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois (2018)
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit (2013)
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit (2018)
News
More NewsMcGrath North Celebrated in the 31st Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and the Fifth Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®
McGrath North is proud to announce that it has achieved significant recognition in the latest editions of both The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. In the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, 45 of our attorneys have been honored across 60 distinct practice areas, showcasing the firm’s deep expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional legal services.
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McGrath North is Recognized as a Top-Ranked Firm in Chambers USA 2024
McGrath North is once again proud to announce that 22 of our attorneys have been recognized by Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in their respective legal practice areas. Additionally, our firm's expertise is showcased with 8 core practice areas ranked for excellence.
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Events
More EventsMcGrath North Hosts Privacy & Data Protection Summit
On December 6, 2022, McGrath North held its Privacy & Data Protection Summit at the Scott Conference Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The over 100 attendees from almost 70 companies at the half-day event had the opportunity to hear speakers and panelists, including guest experts from the industry, share insights on key topics including:
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Alerts
More AlertsTexas Court Blocks DOL Minimum Salary Rule on a Nationwide Basis
Today, a federal judge in Texas blocked the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) from enforcing a rule that would have expanded overtime eligibility for millions of workers by raising the salary minimum to $58,656 effective January 1, 2025.
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Paid Sick Leave Passes in Nebraska: What Employers Need to Know Now
Just yesterday, Nebraska voters passed ballot initiative 436 regarding paid sick leave in Nebraska, mandating that most private employers in the state provide paid sick leave for their employees. As currently proposed, the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (NHFWA), takes effect on October 1, 2025, and while the law itself is clear in many respects, we are still awaiting final regulations from the Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) to clarify certain details. Below is an overview of what we know so far and steps you can take to prepare your business.
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Publications
More PublicationsPlanning To Leave Your Employment And Compete? Don't Forget About Your Duty Of Loyalty
When employees decide to leave their employer and engage in competition, they frequently overlook their duty of loyalty. Absent a non-compete or non-solicitation restriction, an employee may believe that he or she can freely engage in discussions with clients and customers regarding their intention to leave employment and engage in a competitive business.
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NLRB General Counsel Illuminates Prior Decision Addressing Severance Agreements
Recently, the General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), Jennifer Abruzzo, issued a memorandum responding to inquiries that became prevalent after the McLaren Macomb decision. In McLaren Macomb, the NLRB took aim at overbroad non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions in severance agreements. The NLRB also found that simply offering a severance agreement to an employee can violate the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA” or the “Act”) if the agreement provides severance benefits in exchange for giving up statutory rights under Section 7 of the Act - NLRB Takes Aim At Severance Agreements.
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- Iowa State Bar Association
- Nebraska State Bar Association
- Omaha Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Lead Articles Editor, Creighton Law Review
- Author, “The Long and Short of it: The Securities and Exchange Commission Should Reinstate a Price Restriction Test to Regulate Short Selling,” Creighton Law Review, Vol. 43, Issue 2, p. 593-636 (2010).
- National Trial Advocacy Competition
- Listed: “Best Lawyers in America“, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Listed: Great Plains Super Lawyers Rising Star (Employment & Labor) 2019-2021
- Listed: Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Nebraska, Labor & Employment – Up-and-Coming)
- Dick v. Koski Professional Group, P.C., et al., 307 Neb. 599, 950 N.W.2d 321 (Neb. 2020) - Counsel representing a shareholder pursuing claims against a professional corporation. The corporation pursued seven counterclaims against the shareholder including breach of fiduciary duties, utilizing confidential information and misappropriation of trade secrets and was seeking a multi-million dollar damages award. After a lengthy jury trial, a verdict was returned in favor of the shareholder and the jury rejected all of the counterclaims asserted by the corporation. The decision was appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court on 15 assignments of error. By unanimous decision, the Nebraska Supreme Court affirmed the jury verdict in its entirety and rejected the appeal in an 87-page opinion. The case will serve as precedent in Nebraska because it addresses numerous issues relating to the enforcement of shareholder agreements, fiduciary duties owed by shareholders and officers of a corporation, misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential information among other topics.
- Haffke v. Signal 88, LLC, 306 Neb. 625, 947 N.W.2d 103 (Neb. 2020) – Lead counsel representing an employer in a lawsuit brought by an employee asserting whistleblower claims. After the jury trial, a verdict was returned in favor of the employer on all claims and the case was appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court. In an unanimous opinion, the Nebraska Supreme Court affirmed the jury verdict in its entirety.
- Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. v. Lynn Barty, 970 F.3d 1066 (8th Cir. 2020) - Counsel representing an employer in a lawsuit brought against a former manager alleging claims for breach of restrictive covenants under an employment agreement. After the district court concluded that the employment agreement was unenforceable as a matter of law, an appeal was filed. The Eighth Circuit reversed the district court's decision in favor of the employer and remanded the case for further proceedings.
- Ronald Ring v. Lanoha Nursersies, Inc., No. 8:17-cv-00235 (D. Neb. 2019) – Counsel representing an employer in a lawsuit brought by an employee asserting interference, discrimination and retaliation claims pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). After a jury trial, a verdict was returned in favor of the employer.
- Fenceroy v. Gelita USA, Inc., 941 N.W.2d 37 (Table), 2019 WL 5791013 (Iowa Ct. App. 2018) – Lead counsel defending an employer against employment claims for race discrimination and harassment. During the course of the litigation, the case was appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court to address issues relating to the production of attorney-client privileged information. The case was later dismissed on summary judgment in favor of the employer and the plaintiff appealed. By unanimous decision, the Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment in favor of the employer.
- Alcegaire v. JBS USA, LLC, 2018 WL 3058877 (W.D. Ky 2018) – Lead counsel defending an employer against employment claims for interference in violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and workers’ compensation retaliation. The District Court granted the employer’s motion for summary judgment and also denied the plaintiff employee’s motion to alter or amend the judgment.
- Lacy v. Valmont Industries, Inc., 2016 WL 3014656 (D. Neb. 2016) – Counsel in the District of Nebraska where the court granted a motion to dismiss in favor of the employer on claims asserted under ERISA for alleged violations of COBRA rights.
