Rebecca J. Bernhard
PEOPLE

Rebecca J. Bernhard

Partner
bernhard.rebecca@dorsey.com

Overview

REBECCA HELPS COMPANIES QUICKLY RESOLVE THE COMPLICATED LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS THAT CAN ARISE IN THE COURSE OF ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES.

Rebecca's experience spans traditional labor and employment counseling and business immigration. She supports clients with their corporate transactions, advising on labor and employment diligence, negotiating with unions, and assisting her clients with post-acquisition or post-divestiture integration. Rebecca has particular experience helping food, beverage, and agribusiness companies as well as cooperatives with their employment problems.

Prior to joining the firm, Rebecca served as Senior VP of HR and Associate General Counsel at one of the nation’s largest student loan guarantors. Rebecca also has direct experience in labor relations, including serving as the Director of Labor Relations for a telemarketing company before attending law school, making her an excellent and practical advisor to employers in all aspects of managing unionized employees.

In addition, Rebecca assists clients with their business immigration needs, including securing temporary and permanent US visas, Form I-9 compliance training and audit defense, and merger and acquisition-related counseling. She is a frequent author and speaker on labor and employment topics confronting HR professionals, including legal issues related to talent management, succession planning, and compliance.

Rebecca is a qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice.

Rebecca is former co-chair of Firmwide Diversity and Inclusion.

Education & Admissions

University of Minnesota Law School (J.D., 2003), magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, Lead Note & Comment Editor of the Minnesota Law Review

San Francisco State University (B.S.S., Labor Studies, 1997)

Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • Utah
  • Minnesota Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court for Minnesota
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

Experience

Representative Work

  • Counsels clients with unionized-workplaces in collective bargaining and grievance resolution.
  • Conducts respectful workplace and anti-harassment trainings
  • Conducts I-9 company trainings.
  • Secures E1, E2, H-1B, L-1, O and similar employment-based non-immigrant visas and green cards.
  • Negotiates and drafts executive employment agreements.
  • Negotiates and drafts separation agreements.
  • Supports the corporate M&A group on all aspects of the labor and employment diligence process, drafts ancillary documents, plans and implements WARN Act compliance procedures, and assists her clients with post-acquisition or post-divestiture integration matters.
  • Counsels and trains clients on all phases of the employment relationship.

News & Resources

Articles

U.S. Department of State Announces Launch of Pilot Program for Stateside Visa Stamp Renewal
What’s New In The Evolving Area Of Pay Equity Requirements?
What is the current standard used by the National Labor Relations Board to determine if a worker is an employee or an independent contractor?
Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Reverses Course on Remote I-9 Verification and Issues New Form I-9
Why Employers Everywhere Should Care About Florida’s New Immigration Law
Minnesota Has Gone “All In” on Marijuana Legalization — What Does This Mean for Employers?
Supreme Court Raises Standard for Denial of Religious Accommodations
The General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), Jennifer Abruzzo, has recently issued two memorandums significantly changing how employers must draft separation agreements and opining on the enforceability of noncompetition agreements. Can she do that?
A New World For Minnesota Employers: Minnesota Concludes Legislative Session and New Requirements for Employers Abound
The NLRB Reverses Course (again) on Employee Outbursts and Protected Concerted Activity
Minnesota Has Banned Most Non-compete Agreements; It Could Have Been Worse
Back to the Past: In-Person Document Inspection for I-9 Forms Resumes
Can employers require employees to accept confidentiality and non-disparagement obligations in exchange for severance pay?
Pay Transparency Laws on the Rise
FY 2024 Cap H-1B Registration Period Is Fast Approaching
What is a Form I-9 and how do I complete it, especially for remote employees?
OSHA Issues COVID-19 Workplace Safety Rule for Healthcare Employers
The Great Reopening: Considerations for Employers as Employees Begin to Travel and Return to the Office
Easing Mask Mandates: Three Recommendations for Employers
Saying Goodbye to Mask Mandates – Practical Tips for Employers
Vaccine Status is a Protected Trait in Montana
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Issues Executive Order Loosening COVID-19 Restrictions Tomorrow (May 7), Revoking Nearly All Restrictions On May 28, and Ending the Mask Mandate (Including Indoors) No Later Than July 1
EEOC Announces Opening of 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 Component 1 Reports
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Issues Executive Order Paving the Way for Employees to Return to the Office
President Biden Issues New COVID-19 Travel Ban

News & Press Mentions

Preparing for Layoffs: L&E Partner Rebecca Bernhard Featured on Bloomberg Law Podcast
200 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 30 Dorsey Lawyers and 10 Practices in Minneapolis
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Bernhard Discusses Biden Administration's Proposal to Significantly Raise Employment Visa Fees
Bernhard Quoted in Discussion of U.S. Visa Crisis
Chambers USA 2022 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Dorsey’s Immigration Practice Receives National Ranking from Legal 500
13 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2021 The Best Lawyers in America Employment Law Issue
Dorsey Partner Rebecca Bernhard Discusses Easing Mask Mandates
Dorsey Partner Rebecca Bernhard Remarks on Biden's Immigration Plan
Dorsey Partner Rebecca Bernhard Comments on H-1B Visas Under Biden
Dorsey Partner Rebecca Bernhard Comments on H1-B Work Visa Changes
Dorsey Receives Mansfield Rule Certification 3.0 Plus Status for 2020
Dorsey Partner Rebecca Bernhard Discusses H-1B Visa Suspensions
Dorsey Partner Rebecca Bernhard Comments on Chinese Student Visas
Dorsey Partner Rebecca Bernhard Comments on H-2B Workers Visas
Dorsey Partner Rebecca Bernhard Comments on H-1B Workers Layoffs
Dorsey Partner Rebecca Bernhard Remarks on H1-B Workers Losing Status
Dorsey Partners Bernhard, Goldstein and Droke Discuss Food Processors COVID-19 Challenges
Dorsey Partner Rebecca Bernhard Discusses Families First Act
Dorsey Partner Rebecca Bernhard Discusses Unemployment Benefits Amid COVID-19
Dorsey Partner Rebecca Bernhard Discusses the Coronavirus Travel Ban
Dorsey Partner Rebecca Bernhard Discusses Need for Immigrant Workers
Dorsey Partner Rebecca Bernhard Discusses Coronavirus and Employee Travel

Events & Speaking Engagements

Webinar Playback: L&E Briefing Employment Litigation Update and Hot Topics on the Horizon for Utah Employers
Webinar Playback: Labor and Employment 2023 Symposium
2023 Upper Midwest Immigration Law Conference
The 2023 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute
Webinar Playback: Employment Law Trends to Watch in 2023
Webinar Playback: Implementing an I-9 Compliance Process
Webinar Playback: Labor and Employment 2022 Symposium
Webinar Playback: L&E Briefing: COVID, Long Haul COVID and Reasonable Accommodations
Webinar Playback: The Great Re-Opening: Four Areas Employers Must Consider as the World Begins to Travel Again
Webinar Playback: Fargo Employment & Benefits Update
Upper Midwest Immigration Law Conference
Webinar Playback: Labor and Employment 2021 Symposium
Webinar Playback: L&E Briefing: 2021 U.S. Immigration Law Outlook – Post Election
Understanding Liability in the Time of COVID-19
Webinar Playback: Fargo Employment and Benefits Update
"Reopening the Workplace: Top Employer Considerations," National Business Institute
Webinar Playback: Labor and Employment 2020 Symposium
"Coronavirus Employer Update," National Business Institute
Webinar Playback: Is Your Food Company Taking the Necessary Steps In This Coronavirus Crisis?
Webinar Playback: The Stimulus Act: What Is It and How Will It Help You?
"Coronavirus Employer Update," National Business Institute
Labor and Employment 2019 Symposium - Materials
Seminar Playback: Pay Equity: Navigating the New Landscape
Labor and Employment 2018 Symposium - Materials
Seminar Playback: Annual Construction Symposium: Managing the Construction Workforce in 2018

Industries & Practices

  • Benefits & Compensation
  • Cooperative Law
  • Food, Beverage & Agribusiness
  • Government Contracts Counseling & Litigation
  • Immigration
  • Labor & Employment
  • Mergers & Acquisitions

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • Legal CORPS, 2004 – present
  • Veterans Pro Bono Consortium, 2003 – present
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section Council Member, 2015  2021
  • Episcopal Church of Minnesota, Vice Chancellor, 2012 – 2018
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Co-Chair, Pro Bono Committee of the Business Law Section, 2009 – 2011
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Co-Chair, Vice-Chair, and Chair, Women in the Legal Profession Committee, 2008  2011
Memberships
  • National Association of Women Lawyers
  • Minnesota Women Lawyers
  • Minnesota Mother Attorneys Association

Accolades

Chambers USA 2023 Chambers 2022  Chambers USA 2021    Attorney at Law Attorney of the Month  

  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, 2019-2024
  • Named one of “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” by Chambers USA (Immigration), 2021-2023
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America Employment Law Issue, 2021
  • Legal 500 US National Tier 4 Ranking for Immigration Practice, 2021
  • Minnesota Attorney at Law, Attorney of the Month, March 2018

     Pro Bono 50 Hours 2022       Contributed 50+ Pro Bono Hours in 2021 Contributed 100+ Pro Bono Hours in 2020

  • Contributed more than 50 Challenge pro bono hours, 2021-2022
  • Contributed more than 100 Challenge pro bono hours, 2020

      Diversity Inclusion Recognition 2023  Diversity & Inclusion 50+ Hours 2020

  • Contributed more than 50 Diversity hours, 2020, 2023

      North Star Lawyer

  • MSBA North Star Lawyer, 2014-2022
  • Listed in the Minnesota Lawyer as an “Up & Coming Attorney,” 2010
  • Leonard Street and Deinard Award for Outstanding Board Publication in the Minnesota Law Review, 2003
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section: Outstanding Student Achievement Award for Excellence in Employment Law, 2003
Rebecca J. Bernhard