Steven Andrew Smith

Top rated Employment Litigation attorney in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Nichols Kaster, PLLP
Steven Andrew Smith
Nichols Kaster, PLLP

Practice Areas: Employment Litigation; view more

Licensed in Minnesota since: 1995

Education: William Mitchell College of Law

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2000 - 2024 Selected to Rising Stars: 1998 - 1999

Nichols Kaster, PLLP

80 S 8th St
Suite 4700
Minneapolis, MN 55402 Visit website

Details

Named “Lawyer of the Year” for Employment Law in Minneapolis by Best Lawyers for the past two years, named one of “The Best Lawyers in America” for the last eight years, named to the Minnesota Super Lawyers list for each of the last 20 years, and elected as a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Steven Andrew Smith brings a high level of trial experience, attention to detail, and personal service to each of his cases. Steve’s devotion to his client’s cause and open-mindedness have earned him wide respect in the legal community.

With over 25 years of trial experience in state and federal court, Steve brings skill and attention to detail to each of his individual employment cases. Steve’s trial experience includes trials to verdict in discrimination, whistleblower, reprisal/retaliation, commission, contract, disability, sexual harassment, and wage and hour claims. In addition to his trial successes, Steve has litigated several notable cases having substantial effect on employees’ rights under state and federal employment laws.

Steve is often invited to lecture on employment issues both nationally and locally because of his easy-going demeanor and professionalism. He has also authored a number of articles on employment law issues. Steve was honored as the recipient of the 2014 Karla Wahl Dedicated Advocacy Award, given for “ceaseless and courageous efforts” to protect and advance the rights of Minnesota employees.

 

Practice areas

Employment Litigation: Plaintiff

Focus areas

Employment Discrimination, Employment Law - Employer, Retaliation, Wrongful Termination

  • 100% Employment Litigation: Plaintiff

First Admitted: 1995, Minnesota

Professional Webpage: https://www.nka.com/our-people/steven-andrew-smith.html

Bar/Professional Activity:
  • Fellow, College of Labor and Employment Lawyers 2020
  • 7th Circuit Court of Appeals
  • American Arbitration Association National Roster of Arbitrators
  • Federal Bar Association
  • U.S. District Court – District of North Dakota
  • Minnesota Supreme Court
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Member
  • U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • United States Supreme Court
  • 8th Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Minnesota National Employment Lawyers Association, Member
  • American Bar Association, Member
  • U.S. District Court – Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court – District of Minnesota
  • National Employment Lawyers Association, Member
  • Hennepin County Bar Association, Member
  • U.S. District court 7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Honors/Awards:
  • Named to Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment & Civil Rights Lawyers list, 2018-2021, Named to Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment & Civil Rights Lawyers list, 2018-2021, Named to Lawdragon 500
  • Named to "Top Lawyers List," Minnesota Monthly 2022 - 2023, Minnesota Monthly
  • “Lawyer of the Year” for Employment Law in Minneapolis by Best Lawyers 2021-2022, Best Lawyers
  • Received Martindale Hubble, AV® Preeminent™  rating
  • Recipient of "2011 Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award" from the United States District Court - District of Minnesota
  • 2014 Recipient of Karla Wahl Dedicated Advocacy Award from MN NELA
  • Named to the Who’s Who in Employment Law list, Minnesota Law and Politics
  • Named a “Top Lawyer,” Mpls./St. Paul Magazine
  • “Super Lawyer,” Minnesota Super Lawyers, Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine, and Twin Cities Business, 2002-2020, Minnesota Super Lawyers
  • Named to the Top 40 Employment Law Lawyers list, Minnesota Law and Politics
  • Named one of "The Best Lawyers in America" 2014-2022, Best Lawyers., Best lawyers
  • “Top 100: 2016 Minnesota Super Lawyers” Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine, and Twin Cities Business 2007, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
Educational Background:
  • Concordia College, B.A., 1990
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
  • “Update on the Equal Pay Act and Age Discrimination in Employment Act.” Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee Midwinter Meeting, 2021., “Update on the Equal Pay Act and Age Discrimination in Employment Act.” Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee Midwinter Meeting, 2021.
  • “Understanding Minnesota and Federal Labor and Employment Law.” Minnesota CLE, 2023.
  • “The Complete Lawyer: Workplace Law.” Minnesota CLE, 2023.
  • Main Plenary, “Remote Work Litigation.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2023.
  • “Remote Work Litigation Update.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2023.
  • “Dealing with Bad Behavior in Depositions – Opposing Counsel's, the Other Party's, or Your Client's.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2023.
  • “ADEA 2022 Seminal Cases and Initiatives.” FLSL Midwinter Meeting, 2023.
  • “The Tight Labor Market – Pros, Cons, and Legal Implications of Strategies for Hiring and Retention Beyond Offering 
  • Remote Work Options.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2022.
  • “Employment A to Z: How to Litigate an Employment Discrimination Case.” Minnesota CLE, 2021.
  • “Specialist Exam Training: Understanding Minnesota and Federal Labor & Employment Law.” Minnesota CLE, 2021.
  • “Working Parents and Other Caregivers.”, “Working Parents and Other Caregivers.”, Minnesota CLE, 2021
  • “Civil Litigation A to Z: How to Draft and Serve Initial Pleadings and Service of Process in Federal Court.” Minnesota CLE, 2021., “Civil Litigation A to Z: How to Draft and Serve Initial Pleadings and Service of Process in Federal Court.” Minnesota CLE, 2021.
  • “Perspectives on Mandatory Arbitration in the Employment Context.” Minnesota CLE, 2021., “Perspectives on Mandatory Arbitration in the Employment Context.” Minnesota CLE, 2021.
  • “ADEA Update & the Latest Whistleblower Development.” Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee Midwinter Meeting, 2020., “ADEA Update & the Latest Whistleblower Development.” Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee Midwinter Meeting, 2020.
  • Plenary, “Title VII Update – 2019 and 2020.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2020., Plenary, “Title VII Update – 2019 and 2020.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2020.
  • “10 Practice Pointers When Handling Harassment Litigation – Plaintiff and Defense Perspectives.”  Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2020., “10 Practice Pointers When Handling Harassment Litigation – Plaintiff and Defense Perspectives.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2020.
  • “Advising Employees in the Wake of Covid-19.” Minnesota CLE, 2020., “Advising Employees in the Wake of Covid-19.” Minnesota CLE, 2020.
  • “Growth Why and How? Risks and Rewards.” The 2019 Midwest Conference on the Business of Law, 2019.
  • “Sexual Assault: Challenges and Change in Legal Representation.” Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, 2019.
  • Main Plenary, “2019 Title VII Update – All the Important Cases and Their Impact.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2019.
  • “Sex Harassment After #Metoo – The Latest Cases, Laws and Practices.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2019.
  • Mediation simulation. University of Minnesota, 2019.
  • “Case Studies – The Jokester, the Gossip, the Bad Attitude:  How To Move A Difficult Employee From Problematic To Productive.” Minnesota CLE, 2019.
  • “Employment A to Z: How to Litigate an Employment Discrimination Case.” Minnesota CLE, 2019.
  • “#metoo: The Plaintiff’s Attorney’s Perspective.” Fredrikson & Byron Annual Employment Law Seminar, 2018.
  • “Top 7 Reasons Employers Get Sued.” Minnesota CLE, 2018.
  • Sexual Harassment Panelist. Mitchell Hamline College of Law, 2018
  • “2018 Retaliation Update – The Effect of Key Federal and State Cases.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2018.
  • Testified before Minnesota House of Representatives on Sexual Harassment, March 26, 2018.
  • Panelist, Appellate Practice, Minnesota Employment Lawyers Association, 2018.
  • “Employment & Labor Law: Federal & Minnesota Specialist Examination Course.”  Minnesota CLE, 2017.
  • "Harassment: Plain Talk About the How, the Why, the What and the How."  Dorsey & Whitney, 2017.
  • Panelist, Minnesota Supreme Court Cases, National Employment Lawyers Association, 2017.
  • “What to Expect When Your Employees Are Expecting: How to Avoid Common Employer Mistakes.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2017.
  • “2017 Retaliation Update – The Effect of Key Federal and State Cases.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2017.
  • “Civil Litigation A to Z - Initial Pleadings and Service of Process in Federal Court.” Minnesota CLE, 2017.
  • "Federal District of Minnesota Civil Practice Deskbook 2017 Update. Chapter Author.  Minnesota CLE, 2017.
  • Pregnancy Accommodation and Non-Discrimination.  Editor.  Minnesota CLE, 2017.
  • The Complete Employment Lawyer. Chapter Editor.  Minnesota CLE, 2017.
  • “Pregnancy Accommodation and Discrimination 5 Tough Cases.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2016
  • “Problem Employees – Pitfalls and Solutions.” Minnesota CLE, 2016.
  • Mock Trial. Strategic Solutions for Solo and Small Firms, 2016.
  • “The Complete Employment Lawyer - Title VII, the Minnesota Human Rights Act, ADEA, and Discrimination.” Minnesota CLE, 2016.
  • “2016 Retaliation Update – The Effect of Key Federal and State Cases.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2016.
  • Mediation simulation. University of Minnesota, 2016.
  • “Employment & Labor Law: Federal & Minnesota Specialist Examination Course.”  Minnesota CLE, 2015.
  • “View from the Plaintiffs’ Bar – What Makes a Claim Attractive or Unattractive and Common Mistakes Employers Make.” American Conference Institute, 2015.
  • “Ethical Issue Spotting: Mock Mediation and Settlement Approval Hearing for Exotic Dancer Class & Collective Action.” Practicing Law Institute,2015.
  • “2015 Retaliation Update – The Effect of Key Federal and State Cases Plus Changes to the Minnesota Whistleblower Law.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2015.
  • “What to Expect When Your Employees Are Expecting: How to Avoid Common Employer Mistakes When the Stork Arrives in the Workplace.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2015.
  • “Continuing Developments in Disability Litigation: The Impact of Mental Health Diagnosis on Accommodation and Related Issues.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2014.
  • “2014 Retaliation Update – The Effect of Key Federal and State Cases Plus Changes to the Minnesota Whistleblower Law.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2014.
  • “Employment & Labor Law: Federal & Minnesota Specialist Examination Course.”  Minnesota CLE, 2014.
  • 2012  “Top Ten Mistakes Employers Make When Dealing with Pregnant Employees.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute.
  • Chapter Four: The Complaint and Commencing the Action. Federal District of Minnesota Civil Practice Deskbook, 2014.
  • 2012 “Employment Law Series: Top 10 Mistakes Employers Make When Dealing With Pregnant Employees.” Minnesota CLE.
  • 2012 “Mediation of Employment Cases.” Dorsey & Whitney.
  • 2013  “Avoiding Litigation: Preventing Blunders in Employment Terminations.” Fulbright Forum.
  • 2005 NELA Sixteenth Annual National Convention: Pennsylvania State Police v. Suders: What is a Tangible Employment Action?
  • 2013 “Exiting Your “Comfort Zone” and Entering the “Employment Zone”.” Federal Bar Association, Pro Se Project Seminar.
  • The Effect of Key Federal and State Cases Plus Changes to the Minnesota Whistleblower Law.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2015
  • 2013 “Employment and Civil Rights Seminar.” Federal Bar Association, Pro Se Project Seminar.
  • 2005 31st Annual Federal Practice Seminar: Hot Topics in Employment Law for Employment Law Litigators
  • 2013 “When the Interactive Process Fails: The Fight Over ADA Reasonable Accommodation.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute.
  • 2013 “Employment Law Mediation From All Sides.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute.
  • 2005 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: When a Current Employee Accuses Your Company of Wrongdoing – Managing the Situation and Avoiding Unlawful Retaliation
  • 2013 "Unlawful Deductions on Wages in the Service Industry: A Case Study." West Legal Edcenter
  • 2005 Minnesota NELA: Part II of a Three-Part Trial Skills Workshop: Witness Prep, Cross Examination, Trial Technology, Objections and Using Exhibits to Strengthen Your Case.
  • 2013 "Employment & Labor Law: Federal and Minnesota". Minnesota CLE.
  • 2005 EEO Committee Midwinter Meeting: FLSA Retaliation Cases: An In Depth Look at an Infrequently Used Claim
  • "What to Expect When Your Employees Are Expecting: How to Avoid Common Employer Mistakes When the Stork Arrives in the Workplace," Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2015
  • 2005 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: Can I Fire Her? Working Through 3 Tough Fact Scenarios
  • Retaliation Update – The Effect of Key Federal and State Cases Plus Changes to the Minnesota Whistleblower Law.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2014
  • 2006 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: Valuing Damages and Analyzing Mitigation Efforts
  • “Labor & Employment Specialist Exam Prep Course - Employment & Labor Law: Federal & Minnesota.” Minnesota CLE, 2014
  • 2007 Minnesota CLE: Whistleblower and Retaliation Law
  • 8th Circuit Update, Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2007
  • 2007 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: 8th Circuit Update
  • Part II of a Three-Part Trial Skills Workshop: "Witness Prep, Cross Examination, Trial Technology, Objections and Using Exhibits to Strengthen Your Case." Minnesota NELA, 2005
  • 2007 33rd Annual FBA Seminar: Recent Developments in Employment Law Panel – Class Actions, Emotional Distress Claims, Sanctions
  • "How to Take the Depo of an HR Director." Labor and Employment Law at the U of ML, 2010
  • 2007 34th Annual Labor & Employment Law Institute: Wage and Hour Class and Collective Panel
  • “Problem Employees – Pitfalls and Solutions: When the Problematic Behavior Stems from a Mental Health Condition.” Minnesota CLE, 2013
  • 2008 Minnesota CLE: Frieler v. Carlson Marketing Group, Inc. – Minnesota Now Accepts the Ellerth and Faragher Defense in Sexual Harassment Cases
  • “ADA Compliance: Getting It Right – ADA Reasonable Accommodation and the Interactive Process.” Minnesota CLE, 2013
  • 2009 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: “Eighth Circuit Update”
  • “Employment Law Series: Minnesota Law on Unlawful Deductions - Karl v. Uptown Drink.” Minnesota CLE, 2013
  • 2009 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: “Choosing the Claims, the Court and the Defendants” Panel
  • 2010 Minnesota CLE: Advanced Employment Issues: “What the Employment Attorney Needs to Know About Bankruptcy”
  • “Continuing Developments in Disability Litigation: The Impact of Mental Health Diagnosis on Accommodation and Related Issues.” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2014
  • 2010 EEOC Investigator Training
  • 2010 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: “Eighth Circuit Update”
  • 2010 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: “Pleading Strategies in Employment Law Cases” Panel
  • 2010 Minnesota CLE: "Employment and Labor Law" for specialist examination
  • 2010 Minnesota CLE: What the New "ADA Shift" Means for Your Clients: The ADA Amendments, the “New” ADA Regulations and Stepped-up Enforcement
  • 2010 Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc.: Senior Legal Fair
  • 2011 Minnesota CLE: The New ADAA and the Proposed Regs: “The Effect of ADA Amendments on Litigation: Putting Theories into Practice.”
  • 2011 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: “Eighth Circuit Update”
  • 2011 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: “ADA Litigation” Panel
  • 2011 ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law 5th Annual Conference: “Drafting Noncompete Agreements: The Employee Perspective”
  • 2012 ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law: "Show and Tell: Best Practices for Handling Government Investigations."
  • 2012 “Age Discrimination – The Current Legal Landscape in a Nutshell.” Minnesota CLE.

Office location for Steven Andrew Smith

80 S 8th St
Suite 4700
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Phone: 612-256-3206

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