Laura J. Thalacker

Laura Thalacker has practiced management-side employment law in Nevada since 1994. She exclusively represents local, national and international employers in employment law compliance matters, litigation and workplace investigations. Certified as a Global Professional in Human Resources and Senior Professional in Human Resources, Laura is pro-active, preventative and strategic when helping clients comply with complex federal and state employment laws. Laura takes prides in her accessible and down-to-earth approach and her ability to frame complex legal issues in practical and understandable terms.

Laura exclusively defends employers (management) in litigation in Nevada state and federal courts and before administrative agencies such as the EEOC, Nevada Equal Rights Commission, and U.S. DOL. She also advises employers on an array of workplace issues such as discipline and termination, reductions in force, discrimination and harassment, wage and hour compliance, drug testing and non-competes. Laura further has extensive experience conducting workplace investigations in the private and public sectors, provides employment law training to employees and management, and drafts handbooks, policies and contracts.

Laura is a founder and Managing Member of Hartwell Thalacker, Ltd., a labor and employment boutique in Las Vegas, Nevada. The firm is the exclusive Nevada labor and employment member of the Worklaw Network and IR Global.

Prior to co-founding Hartwell Thalacker, Ltd., Laura worked for over 17 years representing employers in labor and employment matters at Nevada’s then-largest law firm, where she was a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department. Laura is a Fellow and currently serves as the Nevada Chair of the American Bar Foundation. She is also a member of the Employment Law Steering Committee of IR Global. Laura previously Chaired the State Bar of Nevada's Labor and Employment Section, as well as the State Bar of Nevada's Publications Committee.

Association of Workplace Investigators

Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)

State Bar of Nevada (Labor & Employment and Litigation Sections)

American Bar Association (Labor & Employment, International Law, and Litigation Sections)

The Worklaw Network

IR Global

Employer-Mandated Vaccinations for COVID-19: Legally Required? Legally Allowed?

Clark County Bar Association Communique · Feb 4, 2022

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If you can, should you? Employer choices on requiring the Covid-19 vaccine

IR Global Digital Podcast · Jul 14, 2021

A wide-ranging conversation about whether employers may require, or should simply encourage, their employees to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus and what type of legal issues may arise under U.S. federal and state law; also discussing practical ways for employers to encourage vaccinations and to overcome vaccine hesitancy among workers, and thoughts on whether so-called "vaccine passports" will bring back tourists and revitalize Nevada's economy.

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How the Gig Economy Is Changing the Working World

Lawyer Monthly · Oct 22, 2020

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Shock of the New: The Impact of the Gig Economy on the Traditional Workplace

IR Global Virtual Series - Employment Law Working Group · Jul 1, 2020

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Covid-19: Unprecedented Times, Desperate Measures

IR Global Virtual Series - Employment Law Working Group · Mar 31, 2020

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Workplace Investigations: Process and enforcement in the age of #MeToo

IR Global Virtual Series - Employment Law Working Group · May 1, 2019

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#MeToo: Is it Time Up for Discrimination in the Workplace?

IR Global Virtual Series - Employment Law Working Group · Oct 1, 2018

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Restrictive Measures in Employment Contracts: The use of covenants to protect trade secrets, customer goodwill and confidential information

IR Global Virtual Series - Employment Law Working Group · Jul 1, 2017

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Ten Years of Facebook: Taking Stock of Social Media’s Impact on the Workplace

Communique- Clark County Bar Association · Oct. 1, 2015

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Those Prying Eyes: Potential Liability for Employers Accessing Employee Social Media Posts

The Nevada Lawyer · Dec 1, 2014

Through the eyes of a hypothetical human resources director, this article explores an employer's potential responses, legal obligations and risks when an employee's social media post reveals serious work-related misconduct.

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Blowing the Whistle on Employers: Differing Federal and State Approaches

Communique- Clark County Bar Association · Apr 1, 2013

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Public Employees and the First Amendment: The Intersection of Free Speech Rights and Social Media

Nevada Lawyer · Nov 1, 2012

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Essential Components of a Workplace Social Media Policy

Casino Enterprise Management · Nov 1, 2010

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Pitfall Potential: The Risks of Social Media

The Nevada Lawyer, State Bar of Nevada · Sep 1, 2010

Discussing legal issues for employers arising from employee use of social media inside and outside of work.

University of Iowa College of Law

J.D. with High Distinction

1991 - 1994

Wartburg College

B.A. (Political Science and Women's Studies)

1987 - 1991

Hartwell Thalacker, Ltd. - Law Firm of the Year

Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association

2016

Lawyer of the Year (Las Vegas): Employment Law - Management

Best Lawyers in America

2024

Lawyer of the Year (Las Vegas): Litigation - Labor and Employment

Best Lawyers in America

2023

Lawyer of the Year (Las Vegas): Employment Law - Management

Best Lawyers in America

2018

Lawyer of the Year (Las Vegas): Employment Law - Management

Best Lawyers in America

2015

Lawyer of the Year (Las Vegas): Litigation-Labor and Employment

Best Lawyers in America

2016

Super Lawyer - Labor and Employment (Las Vegas) (2012-2017, 2019-2026)

SuperLawyers

2026

Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers (2021-2026)

Lawdragon

2026

AV Preeminent

Martindale Hubbell

2026

Top 50 Women Super Lawyers

Mountain States Super Lawyers

2013

Fellow & State of Nevada Chair

American Bar Foundation

2026