Department profile
Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Labor & Employment

USA Guide 2026 : Minnesota


Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Dorsey’s labor and employment department is best known for its high quality sophisticated work. Representation of employers across the full range of issues presented by labor and employment laws has been a key part of Dorsey’s practice for decades. We pride ourselves on our knowledge of both the law and the commercial dynamics driving our clients' businesses forward. Dorsey offers strategic litigators with experience working for Fortune 500 companies as well as start-ups who consistently get excellent results. Representing clients nationwide, across all industries, Dorsey litigators devise creative solutions to meet client objectives.

  • We have substantial experience in a number of sectors including financial services, life sciences, food and energy. We have the strongest defense-side financial services employment practice in a full-service firm.​
  • We are handling as many or more collective and class actions in wage and hour matters as any other firm in the Midwest;
  • We are regularly called upon to handle sensitive internal investigations and executive departures with high stakes ramifications;
  • Our work in post-employment restrictive covenants (non-competes, non-solicits, non-disclosure and others) is extensive, and we are handling a number of significant cases in this area; 
  • Our deep knowledge, experience, and bench strength translates into high value for clients, as we have “been there and done that”; 
  • Our practice is nationwide and we try cases.

Clients (17)

  • Abbott Laboratories
  • Ameriprise Financial Inc.
  • Canon Solutions America/Canon U.S.A.
  • Cargill
  • C.H. Robinson Workwide, Inc.
  • Honewell International Inc.
  • Hormel Foods Corporation
  • Lifetime Fitness, Inc.
  • Nihon Kohden America Inc.
  • Northern tier Energy
  • Randstad Professionals US LP
  • RBC Capital Markets LLC
  • TCF National Bank
  • Thrivent Financial
  • U.S. Bank
  • Wells Fargo Bank
  • Xcel Energy Services Inc.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Labor & Employment - Minnesota

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Dorsey & Whitney is known for its work in high value, high profile non-compete, harassment and discrimination litigation, while also tackling class and collective actions and internal investigations. It is able to work alongside businesses of all scales, from startups to Fortune 500s, across a wide range of market sectors throughout the USA. The firm has sector-specific expertise pertaining to the financial services, life sciences and energy sectors, among others.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Dorsey & Whitney represented a regional healthcare system on claims of gender discrimination, hostile work environment and tortious interference.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Dorsey & Whitney has a practical approach, practical guidance.

    Labor & Employment respondentUSA
  • Dorsey & Whitney is very disciplined and very professional. They have great litigation lawyers with high levels of integrity.

    Labor & Employment respondentUSA
  • Dorsey & Whitney gives pragmatic advice in emerging circumstances and helps guide the business through complex commercial dynamics.

    Labor & Employment respondentUSA
  • Dorsey & Whitney has deep knowledge of our business. They also have deep legal knowledge and experience. The team provides practical advice and is very responsive.

    Labor & Employment respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Melissa Raphan
    Band 1Melissa Raphan

    Melissa Raphan

    Melissa Raphan is much in demand thanks to her skillful approach to complex discrimination litigation and related investigations.

    • Melissa Raphan is very conscientious. She also sends me updates of things that would be useful. She's a very strong lawyer and a really good client relationship person.

      Labor & Employment respondentUSA
  • Band 3Ryan Mick
    Band 3Ryan Mick

    Ryan Mick

    Ryan Mick is highlighted for his broad employment defense practice, which includes advising on wage and hour, termination and non-compete mandates.

    • Ryan Mick is a great guide through complex issues.

      Labor & Employment respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Dorsey & Whitney LLP (2)

Minnesota

Members

Provided by Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Dorsey & Whitney LLP has rankings in the following guides

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