Dennis Donnelly has a trial practice representing employers in federal and state courts, exclusively the defense of employers in litigation dealing with employment discrimination (race, sex, age, national origin, disability and religion), workforce reduction, wrongful discharge and ERISA claims. His practice includes arbitration, negotiating collective bargaining agreements and representing employers before the NLRB, the EEOC and state and local agencies. Mr. Donnelly has published articles in the field of employment law.

Mr. Donnelly served as assistant United States attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri and Eastern District of Illinois in 1968-1969 and assistant circuit attorney for the City of St. Louis from 1966-1968.

Select Representations

• Labor Litigation – Trial practice in federal and state court claims. Regular representation of defendants in major class actions in the Eastern District of Missouri. Primary emphasis for employers defense of wrongful discharge and discrimination litigation. Other: Defense of employers before NLRB and related agencies with respect to unfair labor practice charges, union representation elections.
• Arbitration and Negotiations – Arbitration practice including issues arising out of absentee control programs, discipline, discharge, contract interpretation, and drug possession in the work place. Negotiate collective bargaining agreements with various unions including IBT, IAM, and USW Locals primarily in the manufacturing and trucking industries.
• Areas of Special Interest – Federal and state court trial practice. Counseling regarding plant shutdowns and relocations. Negotiation of terminations and separation agreements. Develop and implement reductions in workforce for large employers.

Mr. Donnelly has arbitrated more than 500 cases to conclusion with a success average of over 80 percent. He has represented clients in more than 90 reported federal and state court trials.

Bar and Court Admissions

Missouri, 1966

United States Supreme Court

United States Courts of Appeals for the Seventh and Eighth Circuits

United States District Courts for the Southern District of Illinois and Eastern District of Missouri

Education

Saint Louis University, J.D., 1966

Saint Louis University, A.B., 1963

Publications

• "New Federal Regulations Regarding Antidiscrimination on the Basis of Genetic Information," co-authored with Lisa A. Van Fleet and Laura Spencer, Privacy & Data Security Law Journal, Volume 3, No. 9, September 2008, pp 801-808
• "The Moral Arena of a Corporate Lawyer: Ethical Considerations and the Law in a Personal Faith Perspective," Saint Louis University Ethics Across the Curriculum Moral Vision Series, October 2, 2003.
• "The Dunlop Report, A Summary Review in Perspective" Saint Louis University Law Journal, (Winter 1996)
• "Basis for Excluding Evidence of Other Discrimination Claims Against The Same Employer in Trial," Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, Volume 10, Number 3, July 1996
• The Labor Relations Research Association Convocation, Nov. 9, 1995. Topic: "Methodology for Avoiding Employment Claims from Your Workforce in a Contemporary Environment"
• "The Civil Rights Act of 1991 - A Historical Perspective by a Management Advocate," The St. Louis Bar Journal, Fall 1992
• "Contracts of Employment and Termination of the Employment Relationship Under Missouri Law and Plant Closings, Relocations, Subcontracting": paper presented before the National Business Institute Incorporated, Oct. 30, 1987; 35-page presentation St. Louis, Mo.
• "Dealing with the Problem Employee and Drug Testing," presented at Centerre Bank Small Business Symposium, April 1987
• "The Employer’s Right to Drug Testing in the Work Place," a paper presented at Saint Louis University Law School Symposium on Drug Testing, February 1987
• "Successorship Issues in the Sale or Acquisition of a Business," Missouri Bar Journal (October 1974)

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• College of Labor and Employment Lawyers – Fellow, August 1997
• St. Louis Bar Association Labor Law Section – Chairman, 1983-1984
• Missouri Bar Labor Law Section – Chairman, 1977-1979

Civic Involvement and Honors

• Ranken Technical College (St. Louis) – Board of Trustees (1985 - Present)
• Saint Louis University – Board of Trustees (1993 - 2005)
• Boys Hope/Girls Hope (St. Louis) – Board of Trustees (1988 - 1995); Currently Advisory Board
• The DuBourg Society – Saint Louis University