TRAINEDSOLUTIONS.COM - Key Persons
Bridget is an investigator and adjudicator with trainED who has extensive experience conducting workplace investigations as a labor and employment attorney. With specialized training in Title IX, VAWA, Clery Act, FERPA and other student and faculty issues, Bridget is able to use her experience to handle complex investigations and adjudications on behalf of higher education institutions.
In her legal practice, Bridget regularly counsels employers, including colleges and universities, on a full range of employment matters, such as performance management and HR best practices, protected class discrimination and harassment, employment and separation agreements, immigration issues, wage and hour/FLSA classifications, sick leave laws, drug testing policies, and ban-the-box legislation. Additionally, Bridget has handled countless administrative charges of employment discrimination and unfair labor practices before federal, state, and local agencies, as well employment-related litigation in state and federal court. And as Lathrop GPM's Personnel Partner, Bridget draws on her experience managing the firm's employment issues to better understand the real-world issues facing her clients and help them develop effective employment-related strategies.
Caitlin Gehlen is an investigator and adjudicator with trainED with a focus on higher education matters. Caitlin regularly conducts investigations into sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and protected class discrimination and harassment cases on behalf of higher-ed institutions. Caitlin also serves as an outside adjudicator for higher education institutions in matters involving allegations of sexual misconduct and other prohibited conduct. Caitlin is also able to bring a unique perspective to her work based on her experience as an interim Title IX Coordinator for a private liberal arts college, where she ensured institutional compliance with Title IX by overseeing investigations, managing the adjudication process, and coordinating training, education, and prevention efforts. In order to assist institutions in navigating their expanding statutory and regulatory compliance requirements, Caitlin has developed a deep understanding of the legal landscape for higher-ed institutions. Her areas of expertise include Title IX, VAWA, and the Clery Act. Caitlin recognizes the regulatory challenges posed to higher-ed organizations, and she works to ensure that compliance does not impede an institution's success in achieving their educational goals.
Job Titles:
- Investigator With TrainED
Emily is an investigator with trainED. She conducts investigations into sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, gender-related violence, and protected class discrimination and harassment on behalf of higher education institutions.
In her legal practice at Lathrop GPM, Emily advises colleges and universities on a range of legal issues, including Title IX, the Clery Act, and the Violence Against Women Act.
Job Titles:
- Investigator With TrainED
Grace is an investigator with trainED. She conducts investigations into sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, gender-related violence, and protected class discrimination and harassment on behalf of higher education institutions.
Job Titles:
- Investigator With TrainED
Jay is an investigator with trainED. He conducts investigations into sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, gender-related violence, and protected class discrimination and harassment on behalf of higher education institutions. In his legal practice at Lathrop GPM, Jay focuses on business litigation and assisting clients with labor and employment issues. While in law school, Jay served as the President of the Labor & Employment Law Society, and as Vice President of the Christian Legal Fellowship. As a law student at Washington University in St. Louis, Jay worked as an extern for Judge Weinhaus at the EEOC and for the Office of General Counsel at the United States Department of Veterans, where he developed significant experience evaluating allegations of illegal activity in the workplace
Kathleen is a litigation attorney and investigator with trainED. She has extensive experience conducting investigations and litigating claims related to sexual misconduct. With trainED, Kathleen focuses on investigations involving sexual misconduct allegations, including Title IX violations, for higher education institutions. As a former in-house attorney and county prosecutor who spent years investigating and litigating claims of sexual assault, violence, misconduct, and harassment, Kathleen brings a unique perspective to trainED. She has both prosecuted and defended all types of sexual misconduct claims, which has shaped how she conducts and oversees investigations.
Kathleen is a litigation attorney and investigator with trainED. She focuses on investigations involving sexual misconduct allegations, including Title IX violations, for higher education institutions.
Kathryn is one of the founders of trainED. She is a Partner at Lathrop GPM and serves as Chair of its Labor, Employment and Higher Education Practice Group. Kathryn provides practical advice and preventative training to businesses and higher education institutions on a wide range of topics including harassment and nondiscrimination, ADA, Title IX, VAWA, Clery Act, student affairs, faculty issues, affirmative action, wage and hour, employee management, social media, and child safety prevention and response. Kathryn's experience defending institutions and businesses before administrative agencies and in litigation helps her establish credibility with her audience. Kathryn's passion for making learning interactive and engaging is evident in her trainings. Kathryn also has extensive experience conducting investigations and compliance audits on behalf of institutions in the areas of sexual misconduct, hazing, Clery, Title IX, child safety, Title IV and data breaches. To date, Kathryn has provided training to students, faculty, staff, administrators and other key personnel from over 300 higher education institutions located in nearly all 50 states. Kathryn was honored as one of the 2014 Minnesota Attorneys of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer for her engaging and innovative approach to providing legal services to higher education institutions. Kathryn has been quoted in The Economist as well as local television and radio outlets as an authority on matters pertaining to Title IX, VAWA, and sexual violence on campus.
Kiesha is an employment attorney and investigator and adjudicator with trainED. She has extensive experience conducting and advising clients on complex investigations. At trainED, she focuses on investigating and adjudicating allegations of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, gender-related violence, protected class discrimination and harassment, and other prohibited conduct under Title IX, the Clery Act, and VAWA. In her legal practice, Kiesha advises employers on a wide range of domestic and international workplace matters.
Megan is a higher education and employment law attorney with extensive experience. Megan regularly speaks on and provides training on employment and higher education topics. She has also overseen and personally conducted neutral, independent fact-finding and compliance investigations and audits for numerous entities over the years, including investigations into alleged misconduct, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Megan also serves as an outside adjudicator for higher education institutions on alleged sexual misconduct and other alleged misconduct matters.
In addition to her training, investigative and adjudication services, Megan works proactively with educational institutions and businesses on legal compliance and claim prevention, providing practical advice on employee, faculty, and student policies and day-to-day practices. Megan also has a strong record of successfully defending institutions before administrative agencies and in court when legal claims do arise. Megan has been focused on compliance-focused and defense work for over 20 years, but spent her early years as an attorney representing plaintiffs in employment and other legal disputes. Megan believes that every dispute comes with a take-away lesson on how to avoid a future claim. She works to incorporate these lessons learned and her insights as a former plaintiff's lawyer into her claim prevention, audit and investigation, and defense work. Megan is certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association as a Labor and Employment Law Specialist.
Job Titles:
- Investigator With TrainED
Michael Link is an investigator with trainED focusing on sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, gender-related violence, and protected class discrimination and harassment cases on behalf of higher education institutions. In his legal practice at Lathrop GPM, Michael also represents and counsels clients in a broad range of employment and labor law matters.
Michael has significant experience conducting independent investigations, engaging in alternative dispute resolution, and defending employers in actions before state and federal courts, administrative agencies, and arbitration panels involving the following claims:
Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation
Whistleblower
Employee discipline and discharge
Leaves and accommodations
Noncompetition and trade secrets
Unfair labor practices
Collective bargaining agreement grievances
Job Titles:
- Investigator With TrainED
Natalie is an investigator with trainED. She conducts investigations into sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, gender-related violence, and protected class discrimination and harassment on behalf of higher education institutions.
Pamela Kovacs is an investigator and adjudicator with trainED. She conducts higher education investigations for institutions, including sexual misconduct investigations. She also serves as an adjudicator of sexual misconduct matters and other alleged policy violations on behalf of institutions. As a member of the trainED team, she has a clear understanding of the legal landscape for higher education institutions, including the Clery Act, Title IX, and VAWA.
Robin Maynard is an Investigator & Adjudicator focusing on investigating allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, gender-related violence, child abuse, and protected class discrimination and harassment. Much of Robin's investigation work is done on behalf of K-12 schools, higher-ed institutions and faith-based organizations. Robin also adjudicates such matters on behalf of institutions, including acting as a hearing officer at live hearings. She has conducted independent fact-finding investigations for entities, including investigations into alleged misconduct, discrimination, harassment, and child abuse. Robin brings a unique background to her practice as she is a former Assistant Hennepin County Attorney. As a prosecutor she worked in Adult Criminal Court, Juvenile Court and Family Court. In Family Court, Robin represented the State in child support matters. In Juvenile Court Robin worked with individual juveniles, families, social workers, probation officers and Child Protection Services to ensure the best outcomes for accused juveniles as well as victims. Robin was specifically trained to address the needs and rights of juveniles and victims. She spent most of her time at Hennepin County in Adult Criminal Court prosecuting a range of criminal felony offenses, including sexual assault, attempted murder and murder. Additionally, Robin previously worked as an adjunct faculty member at William Mitchell College of Law.
Rosalee is an experienced labor & employment attorney who has extensive experience conducting internal investigations and training private and public employers on employment-related issues. Rosalee also is trained in conducting investigations on Title IX, VAWA, Clery Act, and other student and faculty issues, and as an adjudicator on these topics.
In her legal practice, Rosalee represents businesses and organizations in employment and litigation matters throughout the United States. She has successfully defended - from charge to jury verdict - a wide array of employment discrimination complaints and collective actions, and has handled numerous court and jury trials in federal and state court. She regularly defends and counsels clients regarding claims of sexual and other harassment, disability, race, age, sex, national origin, and religious discrimination, Family and Medical Leave Act, Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act and related issues, hiring and reference procedures, employee discipline and termination, employee drug and alcohol testing policies and procedures, collective action wage and overtime claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employer benefits, and noncompetition agreements.
Rosalee has been named a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and for many consecutive years has been selected as a Leading Lawyer by Chambers USA (Band 1), and among Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and Top 50 Female Lawyers. She has been a guest lecturer on legal issues at several universities and colleges.
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair of Lathrop GPM 's Investigation
Susan Gaertner is co-chair of Lathrop GPM's Investigation and White Collar Defense Team. Susan represents institutions and individuals facing federal and state enforcement actions, and conducts internal investigations regarding allegations of misconduct. At Lathrop GPM, and previously as a prosecutor for 26 years, Susan has conducted and overseen countless investigative matters.
Susan held elective office for 16 years, serving as the Ramsey County Attorney from 1995-2011. Susan spearheaded initiatives aimed at improving system-wide responses to sexual misconduct allegations, and gained particular expertise in the area of child abuse prosecution and prevention. Susan's work included collaborating with social service and community-based entities to develop policies regarding child protection, sexual assault investigation protocols and safe environment standards. Susan's work at Lathrop GPM has included defense of sexual abuse allegations against clergy, educators, physicians, and other service providers. She has worked with multiple dioceses, not only to defend claims, but to analyze and improve policies to protect children, and to prevent and detect sexual misconduct. Susan is accustomed to working on high-profile matters, and is experienced in dealing with the media in conjunction with and on behalf of her clients.
Job Titles:
- Investigator With TrainED
Tammy Somogye is an investigator with trainED focusing on sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, gender-related violence, and protected class discrimination and harassment cases on behalf of higher education institutions. Having received specialized training in conducting investigations pertaining to Title IX, VAWA, Clery Act, and other student and faculty issues, Tammy is equipped to carry out complex investigations in these areas.
In her legal practice, Tammy provides a full range of legal services to school districts and higher education institutions, reviewing contracts, developing educational and employment policies, and advising on day-to-day legal issues. These myriad issues involve disability accommodations, student discipline, discrimination and harassment, open records, open meetings, student records, and more. She also assists school districts and universities throughout investigations into complaints filed by students and employees with the U.S. Department of Education. And with specialized knowledge and experience in state and federal disability law, Tammy helps her clients provide special education services and disability accommodations to students and employees.