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Lynn Stathas is an experienced problem solver who helps business owners and leaders strategically navigate complex labor, employment and workplace issues.

Lynn is chair of Reinhart's Labor and Employment Practice and a shareholder in the firm's Employee Benefits and Litigation practices. She handles discrimination, harassment, noncompete and confidentiality agreements, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, whistleblower, wage and hour, ERISA and FMLA matters, workplace investigations and more. She also defends class and collective actions. Her clients include businesses of all sizes. Lynn has a deep understanding of the rules and regulations that apply to a wide variety of businesses, including those specific to health care entities.

Lynn’s clients see her as a trusted adviser and partner who understands the challenges they face. They appreciate her ability to position them both to avoid issues and to effectively address them when they arise. Her pragmatic approach and ability to evaluate the impact of the law, business circumstances and risk tolerance help her devise solutions and approaches to meet their goals.

She serves as Reinhart's Deputy General Counsel and has twice been the Managing Shareholder for the Madison office. She is also the immediate past chair of the Wisconsin Union Association (the second woman in history elected to the position). Lynn has a deep commitment to community affairs and serves on the executive committee of the Madison Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors. She speaks regularly on a variety of topics and conducts workplace training.

Away from the office, Lynn enjoys traveling (especially to Italy), spending time with her family, friends and rescue dog, playing bocce and supporting University of Wisconsin athletic teams and the Wisconsin Union.

Education

  • J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School
  • B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Bar Admissions

Wisconsin

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

Matters

  • In addition to handling trials and administrative hearings, Lynn represents clients in civil and administrative appeals, and in peer review and other internal proceedings
  • Serves as a Special Master, addressing discovery and other issues
  • Represents employers in all areas of labor and employment law
  • Represents employers in litigation involving employment related claims
  • Works with businesses to proactively develop employment strategies, policies and procedures, drafting and reviewing employee handbooks, contracts and other documents to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations
  • Advises clients with respect to a variety of employment-related issues including employment aspects of sales and acquisitions, employment contracts, noncompete and confidentiality agreements, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, wage and hour, WARN compliance, affirmative action, OSHA, worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation, sexual and other workplace harassment, family and medical leave laws, the Wisconsin Concealed Carry law, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and ERISA litigation

Honors & Affiliations

Honors

  • Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" (Employment Law - Management, 2021; Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2019, 2015 and 2013; Commercial Litigation; Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law; Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management, 2024)
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
  • Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation Law; Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law; Employment Law-Management Law; Labor Law-Management)
  • Selected for inclusion in Wisconsin Super Lawyers
  • Wisconsin Top Rated Lawyer Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
  • Named one of the best lawyers in the Madison area by Madison Magazine
  • Wisconsin Law Journal "2007 Woman in the Law"
  • Recognized as a top civic-minded executive in Dane County by In Business magazine
  • Named Leader of the Year by the Leadership Greater Madison Alumni Association
  • Recipient of the Distinguished Leadership Award presented by the National Association for Community Leadership and SPRINT
Affiliations
  • Western District Bar Association of Wisconsin (WDBA) for the United States District Court (Past President)
  • Western District Bar Association of Wisconsin Pro Bono Fund, Inc. (former Board of Governors Member)
  • State Bar of Wisconsin (former Labor and Employment Law Section Board member)
  • The Wisconsin Union Association (Immediate Past Chair and Trustee)
  • Madison Symphony Orchestra (Board member, Executive Committee member and former Nominating Committee Chair)
  • James E. Doyle Inns of Court
  • University of Wisconsin Union Council (former member)
  • Legal Association for Women (former President)
  • University of Wisconsin Alumni Club of Madison (former President)
  • Leadership Greater Madison Alumni Association (former President)
  • Madison Civics Club (former Chair)
  • The Madison Community Foundation’s A Fund For Women (former Chair)
  • Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras (Board of Advisors)
  • Madison Area Concert Handbells (MACH) (former Board member)
  • Civitas Program Participant
  • American Bar Association

News & Insights

Presentations

  • "Addressing Workplace Misconduct," WALA Spring Conference, 2022

Publications