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Sara Gullickson McGrane

Attorney

Practices
Employment Litigation, Civil Litigation, Labor & Employment Law, Energy Law, Corporate Counsel
Industries
Banks and Financial Institutions, Electric Cooperative Utilities, Health Care, Higher Education, Manufacturing, Software/High Tech
Awards
Best Lawyers in America©, Certified Labor and Employment Law Specialist by Minnesota State Bar Association, Chambers USA Guide Leader in the Field, Fellow in The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Super Lawyers®, Super Lawyers® (Top 100 Lawyers), Super Lawyers® (Top 50 Women Lawyers)
Overview

Sara Gullickson McGrane is an experienced litigator who has handled hundreds of matters in both the federal and state courts of many states, including Minnesota and North Dakota. She has tried numerous cases to jury verdict, and has tried one or more cases to verdict in sixteen of the last twenty years. Sara focuses her practice on litigation, with an emphasis on employment and energy law, and is certified as a specialist in Labor & Employment Law by the Minnesota State Bar Association, is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Chambers & Partners Leading Attorney, Super Lawyer (Top 100 Lawyers and Top 50 Women Lawyers).

Sara has extensive experience handling complex litigation in both the employment and commercial arena and significant experience in all aspects of employment litigation, including cases involving breach of contract, discrimination (including age, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, and sexual orientation), defamation, harassment, non-competes, and wage and hour. She has handled approximately 30 appeals to state and federal appellate courts.

Sara also has significant experience in handling class action and multi-party litigation, including FLSA collective and Rule 23 class actions. She frequently lectures and trains on employment and litigation topics. She also investigates allegations of discrimination and harassment for employers.

Sara is currently Chair of the Firm’s Board of Directors.

Before joining the firm, Sara served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of North Dakota.

Expertise & Credentials

Practice Areas

  • Business Litigation
    • General Corporate Litigation
    • Class Action Law
    • Complex Multi-Party Litigation
  • Employment Law
    • Breach of Contract, non-compete
    • Employment Discrimination Claims (all types)
    • Defamation
    • Harassment
    • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Collective and Rule 23 Class Actions
    • Non-Compete Claims
    • Retaliation
    • Wage and Hour Disputes
    • Whistleblower
    • Higher Education Law
  • Appellate Law
    • Appeals to the State and Federal Appellate Courts
  • Energy Law
    • Electrical Cooperative Utilities

Professional Certifications, Awards and Designations

  • Fellow, The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
  • Best Lawyers in America© 2022
  • Top 100 Minnesota Super Lawyers®
  • Top 50 Women Minnesota Super Lawyers®
  • Certified Labor and Employment Specialist in Minnesota by the MSBA
  • Appointed as a Leader in her Field by the Chambers USA Guide
  • Numerous accolades from Super Lawyers®  including Top Women Lawyer and Top Labor & Employment Lawyer
  • Rated “AV Preeminent” (highest rating) by Martindale Hubbell Legal Directory
  • 2015-2020 North Star Lawyer, MN State Bar Association
  • Experienced Litigator
  • Former Assistant Attorney General – North Dakota

Bar Admissions

  • United States Supreme Court, 1999
  • United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 1995
  • United States District Court, Minnesota, 1993
  • Minnesota, 1992
  • United States Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit, 1992
  • United States District Court, North Dakota, 1991
  • North Dakota, 1991
  • United States Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit, 1991
  • United States District Court, Colorado, 1990
  • Colorado, 1990

Professional Activities and Memberships

  • Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association

Education

  • J.D., University of Minnesota, 1990
  • B.A., Moorhead State University, summa cum laude, 1987



Best Lawyers Award Badge

Felhaber_Badges_Labor&Employment_3


Representative Case Results †

  • In the Matter of the Complaint by Red River Valley Cooperative Power Association arising from an Assigned Service Area Violation by the City of Barnesville and Barnesville Municipal Power, OAH No. 82-2500-37202.  Matter settled after being referred to a contested case hearing.
  • Kevin Borowske v. FirstService Residential, Inc., Case No. 20-cv-1564 (NEB/ECW).  Case alleging unpaid overtime wages and breach of contract.  Case resolved after narrowing of issues before trial.
  • Gumz v. University of Minnesota Medical Center and Fairview Health Services, Case No. 27-CV-19-1024.  Case alleging sex and sexual orientation discrimination, reprisal, violation of the Minnesota Whistleblowers Act, wage discrimination and violation of wage disclosure protection.  Case resolved after narrowing of issues before trial.
  • Cambria Enterprises LLC v. DeBlois and Caesarstone USA, Inc., Case No. 19-CV-798 (NEB/SER).  Case alleging breach of contract, tortious interference with contract, misappropriation of trade secrets, unjust enrichment.  Case resolved after narrowing of issues before trial.
  • Kassu v. Fairview Health Service, Case No. 19-CV-1845 (PJS/ECW).  Case alleging racial or national origin discrimination.  District Court granted motion to dismiss.  Eighth Circuit Court of appeals affirmed.
  • Hussein v. Fairview Health Services, Case No. 19-CV-47 (JNE/LIB).  Case alleging violation of the anti-retaliation provisions of the FLSA, discrimination, violation of the Fourth Amendment, battery, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, retaliation.  District Court granted motion to dismiss.  Eighth Circuit Court of appeals affirmed.
  • Qualle v. Fairview Foundation and Fairview Health Services, Case No. 27-CV-18-6093.  Case alleging violation of the MHRA.  Case resolved after narrowing of issues before trial.
  • Orazio v. Cambria Company LLC, et al., Case No. CGC-17-562745.  Case alleging age and sex discrimination, sexual harassment, failure to prevent discrimination, wrongful termination, assault and battery, sexual battery, retaliatory discharge and unfair competition. Case resolved after narrowing of issues before trial.
  • Randall v. Cambria Company LLC, et al., Case No. PSC 1604977.  Case alleging retaliation, hostile work environment, harassment, wrongful termination, failure to prevent harassment, discrimination and retaliation and declaratory relief.  Case resolved during trial.
  • Majors v. Regents of the University of Minnesota, Case No. 27-CV-16-3632.  Case alleging race and sex discrimination and intersectional sex and race discrimination.  Case resolved after narrowing of issues before trial.
  • Hustvet v. Allina Health System, Case No. 16-CV-551 (JNE/HB).  Successfully moved for and obtained summary judgment on Plaintiff’s claims of disability discrimination, retaliation and reprisal.  Complete dismissal of case.  Eighth Circuit Court of appeals affirmed.
  • Carlson v. Allina Health Services, Case No. 27-CV-14-20528.  Case alleging breach of contract, age discrimination, unlawful deduction of pay, conversion and defamation.  Case tried to a judge, complete defense verdict.
  • Groenewold v. University of North Dakota, et al.,  Case No. 2:15-CV-00048.  Case seeking relief for alleged violations of adverse employment action, pre-termination procedural due process, post-termination procedural due process and substantive due process.  District Court granted motion to dismiss.  Eighth Circuit Court of appeals affirmed.
  • Ingraham v. The Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, et al.,  Case No. 27-CV-15-21663.  Successfully obtained complete defense verdict after jury trial on claims of sex discrimination, hostile work environment, reprisal/retaliation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
  • State of Minnesota, et al. v. Range Regional Health Services, et al.,  Case No. 17-CV-00547.  Case alleging public accommodation discrimination.  Case resolved after narrowing of issues before trial.
  • Rumble v. Fairview Health Services, et al.,  Case No. 14-CV-02037.  Case seeking relief for violations of rights under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Minnesota Human Rights Act prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations.  Case resolved after narrowing of issues before trial.
  • Cruz, et al. v. TMI Hospitality, Inc., et al.,  Case No. 14-CV-001128.  Class and collective action case seeking redress for wage and hour violations, unlawful pay deductions, breach of contract, conversion, and discrimination.  Case resolved after narrowing of issues before trial.
  • Barbara Peterson v. HealthEast Care System,   Case No. 62-CV-12-1017.  Successfully moved for and obtained summary judgment on Plaintiff’s claims of whistleblower and/or violation of public policy and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress.  Complete dismissal of case.  Affirmed by Minnesota Court of Appeals.
  • Timothy Henry v. Fairview Health Services,  Case No. 27-CV-14-3526.  Successfully obtained complete defense verdict on claims of reprisal.
  • PKM Electric Cooperative, Inc. v. Otter Tail Power Company,  Successfully resolved matter post-hearing.
  • Steven Kiester, D.P.M. v. Allina Health,  Case No. 27-CV-14-16036,  Successfully moved for and obtained summary judgment on Plaintiff’s claims of breach of contract.  Complete dismissal of case.
  • John Trenter v. Fairview Health Services,  Lead counsel. Case No. 27-CF-12-3837. Obtained complete dismissal of former employee’s age discrimination, disability discrimination, failure to accommodate and reprisal claims. Case was appealed to Court of Appeals, received complete affirmance.
  • Julie Moseley v. Fairview Health Services,  Lead counsel. Case No. 27-CV-12-15562. Successfully opposed motion for class certification, and successfully moved for summary judgment and obtained complete dismissal of current employee’s breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, and intentional misrepresentation claims.
  • Garrett Vincent v. Fairview Health Services,  Lead counsel. Case No. 27-CV-12-24261. Successfully moved for summary judgment and obtained complete dismissal of Plaintiff’s claims of defamation, wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, and the whistleblower.
  • Steven Jamison v. Allina Health,   Case No. 12-CV-00427. Successfully obtained complete defense verdict in front of jury on claims of age discrimination and retaliation.
  • Bonnie Carlisle v. Allina Health,  Case No. 27-CV-13-3463. Successfully moved for and obtained summary judgment on Plaintiff’s claims of age discrimination and reprisal. Complete dismissal of case.
  • Debbie DuPont v. Allina Health,  Case No. 12-CV-02126. Successfully obtained complete defense verdict on jury trial of claims of disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, reprisal, retaliation, and age discrimination.
  • Sandra White v. Allina Health,  Case No. 62-CV-13-4745. Successfully moved for and obtained summary judgment on Plaintiff’s claims of Whistleblower and alleged violation of public policy. Complete dismissal of case.
  • Gloria Walker v. Park Nicollet Health Services, Case,  No. 27-CV-11-2174 (Hennepin County District Court, June 11, 2012). Obtained complete defense verdict of former employee’s race discrimination and retaliation claims.
  • Peter Weesner v. U.S. Bancorp d/b/a U.S. Bank,   Case No. 10-CV-2164 (D. Minn. Sept. 26, 2011). Obtained summary judgment for U.S. Bank on all counts of disability discrimination and reprisal.
  • City of Moorhead v. Red River Valley Cooperative Power Association, et al.,  Case No. 14-CX-06-002515 (Clay County District Court, May 31, 2011). The jury awarded Red River Valley the full amount of damages they were seeking from a taking of property, resulting in a complete verdict for our client. The City appealed, and the Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed the jury’s verdict.
  • Oswaldo Cruz, et al. v. Lawson Software, Inc., et al.,  Case No. 08-CV-4704 (SDNY). Successfully moved to have the case de-certified after conditional certification had been granted, and then successfully moved for summary judgment, arguing the plaintiffs were properly classified as exempt. Summary judgment granted; case dismissed in February of 2011.
  • Tyrone Earl Garner v. Supervalu, Inc. and Jason Robert Holm.   Case No. 27-CV-09-28839 (Hennepin County District Court, November 23, 2010). Represented SuperValu in a multiple count complaint including claims of defamation, battery and invasion of privacy. Successfully moved for summary judgment and all counts were dismissed.
  • Rick Newland v. Connexus Energy,  Case No. 02-CV-08-5925 (Anoka County District Court, March 9, 2010). Represented Connexus Energy in a multiple count complaint involving breach of contract and common law claims for promissory estoppel and defamation from an exiting executive. Successfully moved for summary judgment and all counts were dismissed. The executive appealed, and the Court of Appeals affirmed dismissal of all counts in February of 2011.

† Cases and descriptions are intended solely to illustrate the attorney’s professional experience, not to suggest that a particular result will be achieved in similar cases. The results of any particular case are governed by the specific facts and legal circumstances of that case.

Articles & Presentations

Articles

  • Quarterly publication for Minnesota State Bar Association on Employment Law Section on FLSA from 2008 to 2017

Presentations

  • Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2021, Litigating Reduction-in-Force Cases – Strategic Discovery and Motion Practice; Hottest Issues in Employment Law for Healthcare Institutions – COVID Safety Protocols, Frontline Worker Mental Health, and More
  • Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2020, 12 Tough ADA Questions and Answers – Making Good Decisions in Difficult Situations; 2020 FMLA Update – All the New Developments!
  • Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2019, 12 Tough ADA Questions and Answers – Making Good Decisions in Difficult Situations; 8 Most Important Whistleblower Cases – The Cases You Must Know and How They Impact Plaintiffs and Defense
  • Felhaber Larson Labor & Employment Law Seminar, 2019, Comfort Pets, Scent-Free Zones & Interpreters
  • Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2018, FMLA Legal Update
  • Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2018, Defending the Disability Case – Strategies and Tactics
  • Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2017, Mental Health and the ADA: Key Issues in the Interactive Process and Litigation
  • Business Law Boost! Series, 2016, Employment Law Bootcamp for Business Lawyers
  • MSBA Annual Convention, 2016, 10 Big Employment Law Developments – That Every Attorney Needs to Know
  • Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2016, ADA Litigation in 2016 – The Biggest Issues
  • Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2016, Preparing for the New Overtime Regulations – They’re Almost Here!
  • Health Law Institute, 2015, Important Employment Law Issues in the Health Care Field
  • Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2015, Important Employment Law Issues in the Health Care Field
  • Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2014, Cutting Edge ADEA Issues in Litigation: How to Overcome Significant Obstacles and Prevail in Establishing Age Discrimination
  • Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 2013, Perspectives on FMLA Litigation Developments From Both Sides: Pitfalls to Avoid and Opportunities to Seize
  • Presented at Minnesota Employment Law Institute on successful mediation strategies, May, 2012
  • Presented at over 100 seminars on topics including Unlawful Harassment, Discrimination in the Workplace, A Practical Guide to
    Conducting Investigations, Privacy in the Workplace, Equitable Hiring Practices and Cultural Diversity
  • American Conference Institute (ACI) Wage and Hour Seminar in San Francisco, CA, September of 2011
  • Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, May 2010 and May 2011, Employment Law Litigators Update
  • Googling My Facebook Makes Me Twitter: The Employment Law Implications of Social Networking, Fargo-Moorhead Human Resource Association (FMHRA), March 2, 2010
  • Social Media – Update on Implications for Civil Litigators, Minnesota State Bar Association, Annual Civil Litigator’s Short Course, February 5, 2010
  • Saving a Few Minutes Might Cost You a Lot of Money – Guarding Against Time Clock Violations that Will Cost You, Felhaber, Larson, Fenlon & Vogt, P.A., Fall Labor & Employment Law Seminar, November 6, 2009
  • Updating your ADA Litigation Strategies in Light of the New Law, Minnesota State Bar Association, Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, May 28, 2009
  • The Fair Labor Standards Act – What Do You Need to Know to Avoid Liability? Felhaber, Larson, Fenlon & Vogt, P.A., Fall Labor & Employment Law Seminar, October 10, 2008
Making a Difference
  • Governing Council of the Minnesota State Board Association (MSBA)
    • President, 2018 – 2019
    • Vice President, 2017 – 2018
    • Secretary & Treasurer, 2016 – 2017
  • Labor and Employment Section, Board Member
  • The Fund for Legal Aid, Board member, 2021 – present
  • Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance, Board member, 2011 – present
    • President, 2018 – 2021
    • Vice President, 2017 – 2018
    • Chair of Governance Committee, 2011 – present
  • TU Dance, Board member, 2020 – present

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