Rebecca J. Bernhard

With experience that spans traditional labor and employment counseling, talent management, and immigration and global mobility challenges, Rebecca helps companies quickly resolve the complicated employment problems that can arise in the course of organizational changes.

Rebecca guides clients through corporate transactions, advising on labor and employment diligence, negotiating with unions, and assisting with post-acquisition or post-divestiture integration. She has particular experience helping food, beverage and agribusiness companies and cooperatives with their employment and human resources problems.

In addition to her labor and employment practice, Rebecca assists clients with their business immigration needs, including securing temporary and permanent U.S. visas, Form I-9 compliance training and audit defense, and merger and acquisition-related counseling. She is a frequent author and speaker on labor and employment topics confronting HR professionals, including legal issues related to talent management, succession planning and compliance.

Also skilled at alternative dispute resolution, Rebecca is a qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice.

Prior to joining the firm, Rebecca was a partner at a Minneapolis-based law firm. She also brings the perspective of an in-house counsel, as she was senior vice president of HR and associate general counsel at one of the nation’s largest student loan guarantors. Rebecca also has direct experience in labor relations, including serving as the director of labor relations for a telemarketing company prior to attending law school, making her a trusted adviser to employers in virtually all aspects of managing unionized employees.