Beth Bower practices employment defense litigation nationwide in state and federal courts involving claims based on Title VII, ADEA, ADA, state anti-discrimination acts, whistle blowing, retaliation, common law torts and contracts, wrongful discharge and non-compete agreements. Her litigation practice includes defense of wage and hour class actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act and defense of class discrimination claims asserted by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Her practice also involves traditional labor relations. Ms. Bower also represents clients on administrative employment matters before the EEOC, the U.S. Department of Labor and numerous state agencies. Ms. Bower provides general advice and counsel concerning employment matters including personnel management, termination, wage and hour issues, the Family and Medical Leave Act and WARN Act/plan closing issues. She assists employers in the development, implementation and application of harassment, drug testing, social network and other personnel policies and employee handbooks.
Ms. Bower frequently conducts seminar presentations for clients and outside organizations on various topics in the employment and labor area including the Americans with Disabilities Act, sexual harassment and management/personnel training.
Select Representations
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FLSA/State Law Class Actions. Defend litigation representing local and nationwide companies in actions involving classification, meal breaks, don/doff, hours of work and overtime.
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Facility Closures. Counsel regarding Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act compliance/options regarding the shutdown of multiple facilities nationwide.
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Administrative Investigations. Counsel to clients in retail, trucking, restaurant, healthcare, agriculture, banking and the not-for-profit sector including responding to charges of discrimination, handling on-site investigations and administrative subpoenas.
Bar and Court Admissions
Missouri, 1988
United States Courts of Appeals for the Seventh and Eighth Circuits
United States District Courts for the District of Kansas and Western District of Missouri
Education
University of Oklahoma, J.D., with distinction, 1987
Drake University, B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1982
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Missouri Bar Association
- Kansas City Bar Association
- Lawyers Association of Kansas City