Attorney Emily Pontius Graduates from the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute

Emily S. Pontius, an officer of Fredrikson & Byron, recently graduated from the Community Leadership Program (CLP) offered at the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute. According to its website, CLP is Central Iowa’s premier community leadership development program. The nine-month curriculum offers a view of Greater Des Moines from divergent vantage points, heightens participant awareness of current conditions and issues, enhances individual and group leadership skills, and helps class members see themselves as partners for change. Each year, 50 emerging and existing leaders from the private, public and non-profit sectors of the community are selected to participate in this transformational program. Ideal candidates have demonstrated community leadership experience and are committed to community involvement.

Pontius is an experienced advisor and litigator for employers. She defends employers against allegations of sex discrimination, age discrimination, race discrimination, FMLA and ADA violations, wrongful termination in violation of public policy and tortious interference. To help employers maintain a productive workplace and avoid litigation, Pontius partners with clients to provide supervisor and manager training, investigate internal discrimination complaints, provide reasonable accommodations to disabled employees, and navigate issues surrounding family and medical leave. She also provides specialized advice and litigates on behalf of colleges and universities in disputes concerning faculty discipline, tenure and promotion, student conduct, and accommodation of students with disabilities. Prior to practicing law, Pontius worked in higher education administration, supervising employees and gaining director-level experience in student judicial affairs and residence life. She draws on this experience when working with higher education clients.

Fredrikson & Byron is a 275-attorney law firm based in Minneapolis, with offices in Bismarck, Des Moines, Fargo, Monterrey, Mexico, and Shanghai, China. Fredrikson & Byron has a reputation as the firm “where law and business meet”. Our attorneys bring business acumen and entrepreneurial thinking to work with clients, and operate as business advisors and strategic partners, as well as legal counselors. More information about the firm is available at www.fredlaw.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and on Twitter @FredriksonLaw.