Barnes & Thornburg Adds Labor and Employment Partner Rebecca Bernhard in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS – Barnes & Thornburg announced today that Rebecca J. Bernhard has joined the Minneapolis office as a partner in the firm’s Labor and Employment Department.

Bernhard has over 20 years of experience advising companies navigating traditional labor and employment matters along with immigration and global mobility challenges. She is adept at helping companies in numerous industries quickly resolve complicated employment problems and talent management concerns that could arise during organizational transformations, such as guiding clients through corporate transactions, advising on labor and employment diligence, negotiating with unions, and assisting with post-acquisition or post-divestiture integration.

“With extensive experience acting as a dedicated advocate for her clients, Rebecca is a skilled problem-solver who knows how to help organizations navigate the many labor and employment issues that stem from significant changes,” said Kenneth J. Yerkes, chair of Barnes & Thornburg’s Labor and Employment Department. “Our clients will benefit from her wide-ranging insight and in-depth experience as they continue to navigate this ongoing period of workforce transformation.”

In addition to her labor and employment practice, Bernhard assists clients with their business immigration needs, including obtaining temporary and permanent U.S. visas, providing Form 1-9 compliance training and defense during audits, and offering guidance on merger and acquisition matters. As a qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice, Bernhard is also skilled at alternative dispute resolution.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca to the team,” said Connie A. Lahn, managing partner of the firm’s Minneapolis office. “Her experience helping companies promote a performance culture will certainly prove valuable not only to our clients but to our colleagues here in Minneapolis and across the U.S.”

Bernhard earned her J.D., magna cum laude and Order of the Coif, from the University of Minnesota Law School and her B.S.S. from San Francisco State University.

With more than 800 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from offices in Atlanta, Boston, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, South Florida, Texas, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com.