Office obtains favorable ruling in “Wigger Day” case. The lawsuit alleges that mostly-white Red Wing High School allowed a racist event referred to as “Wigger Day” (i.e., “White Nigger”) to occur at the school for at least two years, yet failed to take adequate steps to prevent or remediate the conduct. The school district requested the court to dismiss the lawsuit, but the court denied the request and allowed the lawsuit to continue.

The case continues to receive media coverage.Office settles false repossession lawsuit. I brought a lawsuit on behalf of my client against the bank, who unlawfully removed and threw away all his possessions after it foreclosed on his home. The parties resolved the case in a confidential settlement.Micaela Schuneman joins firm as Of Counsel. I am pleased to announce that Micaela Schuneman, a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law and former AmeriCorps*Vista Attorney at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, has joined the firm as Of Counsel. The sole focus of Micki’s practice is representing clients in immigration matters.Woman represented by the Office files civil rights lawsuit against Red Wing Public School District. The lawsuit, filed in federal district court, alleges that Red Wing High School–whose student population is roughly 95 percent White–allowed a racist event referred to as “Wigger Day” (i.e., “White Nigger”) to occur at the school for at least two years, yet failed to take adequate steps to prevent or remediate the conduct.

This case has received considerable national attention, and has been covered by media outlets such as CNN, Huffington Post, and Above the Law, among others.
A.L. Brown joins Office as Of Counsel.  I am pleased to announce that A.L. Brown, a graduate of Hamline University School of Law and former Law Clerk to Chief Judge Davis of the United States District Court, District of Minnesota, has joined the Office as Of Counsel.  The focus of Brown’s practice is representing plaintiffs in consumer protection, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.Office obtains favorable settlement in employment case.  I recovered an amount equal to more than seven times the amount of my client’s lost wages in a race discrimination case.Williams publishes new book. I am pleased to announce the publication of my new book, LAWYER 2.0 How to Build a Six-Figure Solo Practice in 12 Months or Less: Essential Technology for Solo Practitioners. I invite you to visit the book’s companion website.Abby Loesch and Brandon McDonough join firm. I am pleased to announce that Ms. Loesch and Mr. McDonough, both second-year law students at the University of Minnesota Law School, have joined the Office as Law Clerks.  Both Ms. Loesch and Mr. McDonough embrace the firm ethos of standing up for people who are not situated to stand up for themselves.

Williams joins Heimerl & Lammers as Of Counsel.  I am pleased to announce that I joined the law firm of Heimerl and Lammers in an Of Counsel capacity.  I will continue to operate my own firm in addition to assisting clients who reach out to H&L for legal assistance in my areas of expertise.

Office recovers lost wages and emotional harm damages in race discrimination case. I negotiated an agreement–the terms of which are confidential–in my client’s case brought under the Minnesota Human Rights Act.  My client is very satisfied with the outcome.

Senate votes to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In a very important development for gay rights, both houses of Congress voted to repeal DADT.  I applaud lawmakers for having the wisdom and the courage to do the right thing.

Office helps client recover lost wages in FMLA case. I negotiated an agreement that awarded an amount equal to six months’ wages.

Office obtains favorable outcome in race and disability discrimination case. I obtained a favorable outcome–the terms of which are confidential–in my client’s claims brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.  My client alleged that her employer terminated her because of her race, and refused to reasonably accommodate her disability.

Office obtains favorable outcome in another FMLA case. I obtained an amount equal to my client’s lost wages, litigation costs, and attorney fees in his claims brought under the FMLA.  My client alleged that his employer refused to reinstate him following his exercise of FMLA-protected leave.
Office obtains favorable outcome in race discrimination case. I obtained a favorable outcome–the terms of which are confidential–in a case against my client’s former employer arising under the Minnesota Human Rights Act (“MHRA”).Firm obtains favorable outcome in FMLA case. I obtained an amount more than twice as much as my client’s lost wages in her claims brought under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).Office goes paperless. In an effort to save time, resources, and the environment, I have utilized available technology to take my office nearly 100% paperless.  As a result, I can now locate and access any office document–including complete client files–in less than 30 seconds from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.Firm obtains favorable outcome in another disability discrimination case. I obtained a five-digit amount where my client suffered less than $200 in economic damages in a case brought under the Minnesota Human Rights Act (“MHRA”) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).Firm obtains favorable outcome in disability discrimination case. I obtained an amount in excess of my client’s lost wages and lost benefits in a disability discrimination case brought under the Minnesota Human Rights Act (“MHRA”) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).Woman represented by the Office files civil rights lawsuit against the City of Minneapolis under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The lawsuit, filed in federal district court, alleges that a Minneapolis police officer arrested my client and unlawfully withheld exculpatory evidence from her and the Court, which resulted in her unlawful detention for 30 days.Man represented by the Office files discrimination lawsuit against the City of Burnsville. The lawsuit, filed in state district court, alleges that City of Burnsville police officers violated my client’s rights under the Minnesota Human Rights Act (the “MHRA”) when they subjected him to an unlawful search and seizure and called him the “n word.”

Man represented by the Office files police misconduct lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against City of Buffalo Lake. The lawsuit, filed in federal district court, alleges that the City of Buffalo Lake police department violated my client’s constitutional and civil rights when it arrested him without probable cause and failed to disclose exculpatory evidence to the court.

Williams obtains favorable outcome in FMLA case. I obtained an amount in excess of my client’s lost wages in his FMLA lawsuit against his former employer.

Williams authors article in Spokesman-Recorder. The article, “Do I have to consent to a police search?” appeared in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder on May 26, 2010.  The article discusses when persons may properly refuse a police officer’s request to search their property or person and the implications of failing to do so.

Man represented by the Office brings lawsuit under the Minnesota Health Records Act. The lawsuit, brought in state district court, alleges that an employee of Dakota County disclosed my client’s health records without permission in violation of the Minnesota Health Records Act.  My client is seeking compensation for emotional harm.

Williams authors article in Spokesman-Recorder.  The article, “Can I sue the police for false arrest?,” appeared in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder on April 29, 2010.  The article discusses when individuals may properly bring civil claims against the police for civil rights violations such as false arrest and other police misconduct.

Woman represented by the Office brings personal injury lawsuit against major retailer.  The lawsuit, filed in state district court, alleges that the defendant’s negligence in failing to provide reasonably safe premises caused my client to suffer injuries to her head, neck, and back.  My client is seeking compensation for medical bills and pain and suffering.

Man represented by the Office brings lawsuit seeking damages for former employer’s retaliatory and defamatory conduct.  The lawsuit, filed in state district court, alleges that my client’s former employer violated the state whistleblower act when it unlawfully terminated his employment after he brought the company’s illegal business practices to his supervisors’ attention.  The lawsuit also alleges that my client’s former employer is liable for defamation for unlawfully publishing false and derogatory statements about him.  My client is seeking compensation for lost wages and emotional harm.

Williams obtains favorable outcome in race discrimination, harassment, and reprisal case.  I obtained an amount in excess of one year’s wages in my client’s lawsuit against his former employer arising under the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA).

Man represented by the Office files lawsuit under the Family and Medical Leave Act. The lawsuit, filed in federal district court on April 8, 2010, alleges that my client’s former employer violated his rights guaranteed by the FMLA when it terminated him two days after he requested time off from work to receive treatment for a skin infection that left his leg so swollen he could not fit his work boot on over his foot.  My client is seeking compensation for lost wages.

Office moves to new building. The Office moved to its new location at 1624 Harmon Place, Suite 300Q, in the Fawkes Building at Loring Cornerson March 31, 2010.  The new office is directly across the street from Loring Park in the same building as the Lurcat Cafe.

Williams authors article in Spokesman-Recorder. The article “Can my employer fire me for no good reason?”, authored by Joshua R. Williams, appeared in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder on March 16, 2010.  The article discusses the employment-at-will doctrine, and what constitutes wrongful or unlawful termination.

Man represented by the Office files lawsuit under the Family and Medical Leave Act. The lawsuit, filed in federal district court on February 22, 2010, alleges that my client’s former employer violated his rights guaranteed by the FMLA when it terminated him for taking leave to care for his pregnant wife, who was experiencing pre-labor contractions.  My client is seeking compensation for lost wages.

Williams negotiates favorable settlement in sexual harassment case. I achieved a favorable outcome – the terms of which are confidential - for my client despite the fact that she could not produce any tangible evidence of harassment by her former employer or locate any eyewitnesses willing to testify on her behalf.

University of Minnesota law student joins Office. Hrishikesh “Hrishi” Shah joined the Office as a law clerk on February 11, 2010.  Hrishi is a second-year law student at the University of Minnesota School of Law.  Hrishi previously worked as a law clerk at the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland in Baltimore, and is currently a board member of the Minnesota Journal of Law, Science and Technology.  Hrishi is committed to the Office’s core principles of promoting civil rights and eliminating bias.
Man represented by the Office files police misconduct lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against City of St. Paul. The lawsuit, filed in federal district court on December 17, 2009, alleges that the City of St. Paul police department violated my client’s constitutional and civil rights when it arrested him without probable cause and incarcerated him for 39 days.  Read more about this case in the Star Tribune.

The Office created attorney profiles on Avvo, Justia, mnfindalawyer.com, Rocket Lawyer, ilawyersource, LawyersGuide, Google.