Michele R. Fisher

Michele R. Fisher is a partner at Nichols Kaster whose practice is primarily dedicated to national wage and hour class and collective action litigation. She has represented tens of thousands of employees seeking to recover overtime pay, minimum wages, and commission payments. She also represents employees in individual employment matters, such as employment discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment. Moreover, Michele has represented consumers in cases involving negligent and fraudulent financial advice. She has been instrumental in obtaining millions of dollars for her clients.

Michele is an experienced trial attorney who enjoys being in the courtroom. She has successfully handled numerous jury trials and arbitrations in her fight for employee and consumer rights. She has the expertise, resources, and staff to take on any company regardless of size.

Michele is the Chair of the firm’s Business Development and Marketing Group, which helps originate class and collective actions and market the firm. Michele is also a regular lecturer on employment related topics at local and national conferences and has been an author and editor for wage and hour publications.

Michele has been repeatedly named to the Rising Star list by Minnesota Super Lawyers.

Admissions

• State Bar of Georgia
• Minnesota Supreme Court
• New York Supreme Court
• Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
• U.S. District Court – District of Colorado
• U.S. District Court -- Northern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court – Northern District of Georgia
• U.S. District Court – Northern District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court – District of Minnesota
• U.S. District Court – Southern District of New York
• U.S. District Court – Western District of Oklahoma
• U.S. District Court – Western District of Pennsylvania
• U.S. District Court – Western District of Texas
• U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Wisconsin
• U.S. District Court – Western District of Wisconsin

Education

• J.D. William Mitchell College of Law, 2000
• B.A. St. Cloud State University, 1997

Publications / Speaking Engagements

• “FLSA Basics/Wage and Hour Update.” Practising Law Institute: Understanding Employment Law 2012, New York, NY, 2012.
• "Wage and Hour Litigation Part III – Special Issues: Arbitration, Decertification, Settlement." Practising Law Institute: Managing Wage & Hour Risks 2012: Panel, New York, NY, 2012.
• "Focus Areas for Claims - the Latest Legal Developments." Practising Law Institute: Managing Wage & Hour Risks 2012, New York, NY, 2012.
• The View from the Plaintiffs' Bar: Adjusting Your Litigations Strategies in Light of New and Innovative Claims Panelist. American Conference Institute, 14th National Forum on Wage & Hour Claims and Class Actions ( Miami, FL, 2012).
• The Fair Labor Standards Act Treatise by Ellen C. Kearns, Report Chapter Editor/Treatise Associate Editor, ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law (2012).
• Maximizing the Value of Your Case. National Employment Lawyers Association Convention, Securing Wages, Protecting Hours: Representing Workers Under FLSA (Washington, D.C., 2011).
• Top Ten Mistakes to Avoid in FLSA Litigation. American Association for Justice Annual Convention (New York, NY, 2011).
• Representing Misclassified and Reclassified Workers. National Employment Lawyers Association Annual Convention (New Orleans, Louisiana, 2011).
• Tips for the Settlement of FLSA Actions, Ohio Association for Justice Wage & Hour Seminar (Cleveland, OH, 2011).
• The Fair Labor Standards Act Treatise by Ellen C. Kearns, Contributing Editor to ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law (2011).
• Author to the Wage and Hour Law Handbook: Federal and Minnesota, Chapter 12, Plaintiff-Side Analysis of Wage-Hour Litigation Issues (2011).
• Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: The Keys to Final Victory (Minneapolis, MN, 2011).
• Practicing Law Institute: Managing Wage & Hour Risks: Wage and Hour Litigation Part III - Trial, Appeals and Settlements (New York City, NY, 2011)
• The Fair Labor Standards Act Treatise by Ellen C. Kearns, Contributing Editor to ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law (2010).
• American Bar Association Fourth Annual Section of Labor and Employment Law Conference: It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over: Unique Ethical and Practical Issues Posed by Settling Wage and Hour Litigation (Chicago, IL, 2010).
• Strafford, Wage and Hour Collective and Class Claims: The Continuing Litigation Threat, Pursuing, Defending and Settling FLSA Actions as Costs Skyrocket (Internet Webinar, 2010).
• Testified before the Minnesota Senate's Business, Industry and Jobs Committee relating to Senate File 2347, a proposed amendment to the state’s overtime law (2010).
• Practicing Law Institute, Managing Wage & Hour Risks: Wage and Hour Claims Today . . . and Tomorrow (New York City, NY, 2010).
• Practicing Law Institute, Managing Wage & Hour Risks: ADR, Structuring Settlements (New York City, NY, 2010).
• American Bar Association, Section of Labor and Employment Law: The Financial Crisis: Impact on Government Contracts, WARN Act Cases and Whistleblower Claims Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2010).
• The Fair Labor Standards Act Treatise by Ellen C. Kearns, Contributing Editor to ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law (2009).
• Atlanta Bar Association, Advanced Employment Law Conference: A Class Action is in Your Future, Developing a Class Action From The Plaintiff's Perspective (Atlanta, GA, 2009).
• National Employment Lawyers Association, Annual Conference: Turning the Table on Defendants in FLSA Cases (Atlanta, GA, 2008).
• The Fair Labor Standards Act Treatise by Ellen C. Kearns, Contributing Editor to ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law (2008).
• American Bar Association, Section of Labor and Employment Law: Recent Developments Under The WARN Act and EPPA (Jamaica, 2008).
• The Fair Labor Standards Act Treatise by Ellen C. Kearns, Contributing Editor to ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law (2007).
• National Employment Lawyers Association, Representing Workers in Individual and Collective Actions Under the FLSA, FLSA 101: The Basics (New Orleans, LA, 2007).
• American Bar Association, Section of Labor and Employment Law: Recent Developments Under The WARN Act and EPPA (Manzanillo, Mexico, 2007).
• Hennepin County Bar Association: Using Medical Records & Experts in Employment Cases (Minneapolis, MN, 2007).
• 8th Circuit NELA Conference: A Starting Point – Helpful FLSA Cases for Plaintiffs’ Lawyers (Iowa, 2006).
• Ethical Considerations when Investigating and Defending Sexual Harassment Claims: Sexual Harassment- A Plaintiff’s Perspective (Minneapolis, MN, 2006).
• Ramsey County Bar Association: Electronic Discovery-Not Just for Geeks Anymore (St. Paul, MN, 2005).
• Hennepin County Bar Association: Current Status of the FLSA Regulations (Minneapolis, MN, 2004).
• Hospitality Inc.: Sex Harassment Investigations (Minneapolis, MN, 2004).

Titles / Awards / Memberships

• ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law, Federal Labor Standards Legislation, WARN Act and Employee Polygraph Protection Act Subcommittee Chairperson, 2006-2009
• Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee Member
• Named to the Rising Stars list, Minnesota Super Lawyers, Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine, and Twin Cities Business 2005-2011
• Named in “Who’s Who in Employment Lawyers”, Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine
• American Bar Association Member
• Federal Bar Association Member
• Georgia State Bar Association Member
• Hennepin County Bar Association Member
• Minnesota National Employment Lawyers Association Member
• Minnesota State Bar Association Member
• National Employment Lawyers Association Member
• New York State Bar Association Member