Pat Konopka to Moderate KCMBA Panel on Whistleblower Employment Claims

Stinson attorney Pat Konopka will moderate "Whistleblower Employment Claims: A Master Course on the Whistleblower and Qui Tam Claims, Including Legal Ethical Issues." The April 20th seminar is being sponsored by Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association's Labor and Employment Law and Procedures Committee.

As a master course on the legal and ethical pitfalls for plaintiffs' and defense counsel in representing clients in whistleblower and false claims (qui tam) cases, this seminar will discuss issues that arise in the initial interview to avoid disqualification; the "first to file bar" and its effects; issues of personal culpability and need for immunity; confidentiality and document procurement; government intervention in such cases; timing issues; and statutory fees. U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas, Barry Grisson, will address the issues and concerns of the Department of Justice in qui tam claims.

Konopka has extensive experience litigating employment-related and commercial matters. As a member of the firm's Employment, Labor and Benefits Division, she regularly advises clients on, and litigates cases involving, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements. She represents employers in lawsuits asserting claims of wage and hour violations (including collective and class actions); harassment; sex, race, age and disability discrimination; retaliation; breach of express and implied contracts; and other employment-related claims. Konopka also represents employers in the defense of discrimination claims filed with federal, state and local administrative agencies, and has represented clients in appellate actions in state and federal courts of appeal

For more information on the seminar, visit KCMBA's website.