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Adam T. Pankratz

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Employment Law, Litigation, Mergers and Acquisitions, Leaves of Absence/Reasonable Accommodation, Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets
Manufacturing

Mr. Pankratz represents local and national employers in a myriad of employment-related and complex commercial matters, including litigation involving discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wage and hour, wrongful termination, ADA and FMLA leave issues, and other matters in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. Mr. Pankratz has experience successfully representing employers in executive termination, non-compete and unfair competition disputes, and often represents buyers and sellers in mergers and acquisitions. Recent successes include obtaining summary judgment in various employment discrimination and retaliation lawsuits, and obtaining a positive decision on appeal before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Pankratz also regularly advises employers regarding workplace policies and procedures, and counsels employers on compliance with applicable federal, state and local employment laws and regulations. Mr. Pankratz is also an active speaker on various employment-related topics and provides training for supervisors and non-management employees.

Mr. Pankratz regularly represents employers in the manufacturing, retail, education, service, hospitality, healthcare, insurance, financial services, real estate, private equity, technology, and transportation industries. Mr. Pankratz has represented employers throughout the United States.

Mr. Pankratz also serves as co-chair of ODAlliance, Ogletree Deakins’ LGBTQ+ business resources group, and is a member of Ogletree Deakins’ Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee.

Employment Law, Litigation, Mergers and Acquisitions, Leaves of Absence/Reasonable Accommodation, Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets
Manufacturing
Learn more about Adam T. Pankratz

Mr. Pankratz has first chaired a multiple-day employment discrimination arbitration, has first chaired contract dispute arbitrations, has first chaired a number of judge-tried trials, and has successfully argued before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in support of an order granting summary judgment. Mr. Pankratz also has significant experience in general commercial litigation and has second chaired a reinsurance arbitration regarding yearly renewable term rates resulting in a positive judgment for the client in excess of $100 million.

With respect to employment matters, Mr. Pankratz regularly engages in the following:

Education

Admittance to Practice

Professional Activities

  • Kansas Bar Association
  • Missouri Bar Association
  • Washington Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Greater Seattle Business Association
  • Centurions Leadership Program – Greater KC Chamber of Commerce (Graduate)
  • Kay Barnes Leadership Series (MAGLCC)
  • KCMBA Bar Leadership Academy (Graduate)
  • Beta Theta Pi – General Fraternity Volunteer – Assistant District Chief XXXI & former District Chief of District XXI

Speeches

Insights by Adam T. Pankratz

Diverse group of hands working on puzzle together.

In Landmark Decision, Supreme Court Rules That Title VII Prohibits Employment Discrimination of Gay and Transgender Individuals

On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964’s prohibition of sex discrimination encompasses discrimination against gay and transgender individuals. Justice Neil Gorsuch authored the 6-3 majority opinion and was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Stephen Breyer, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and Justice Elena Kagan.

Person rolling suitcase.

Reading Between the Lines: Which Domestic Travel Quarantine Guidelines Apply?

Most readers are likely now familiar with the initial travel guidance for international travel issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Since then, governors have taken the lead in issuing orders related to COVID-19 for, among other things, closing businesses, mandating citizens stay home, and only permitting essential businesses to operate. Along with those orders, many have issued guidance related to quarantines for out-of-state travelers, including those who have only traveled domestically within the United States. Many of these orders are expressly aimed at discouraging interstate travel other than for essential services.

Washington State Flag

Washington Extends Stay-at-Home Order and Puts Plan in Place to Reopen

On May 4, 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued Proclamation 20-25.3, extending Washington’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” proclamation, which was set to expire on May 4, 2020, to May 31, 2020. The governor’s office also released Washington’s Safe Start plan, detailing a four-phase approach to reopen the state in three-week intervals, which may be adjusted depending on various risk indicators.

Washington State Flag

Employees at High Risk for Severe COVID-19 Illness May Be Entitled to Job Protections in Washington State

Washington State recently issued new protections for workers who are at “high risk” of severe illness or death from COVID-19. The protections, created by Governor Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 20-46, affect both essential businesses and nonessential businesses expecting to reopen between April 13 and June 12, 2020, when the emergency proclamation expires, unless it is lawfully extended in accordance with Washington’s emergency powers laws.

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