Kristen L. Brightmire, head of the firm's Employment Law Practice Group, has substantial experience in:

• Title VII cases (discrimination, harassment, retaliation based upon gender, race, national origin, sex, religion)
• Age Discrimination in Employment (ADEA)
• American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state wage and hour issues
• Wrongful discharge in violation of public policy
• Retaliatory discharge for pursuing rights under the workers' compensation act
• Drug and alcohol testing

Ms. Brightmire began her practice at Doerner Saunders in 1990 representing employers in a myriad of labor and employment matters. In 2002, she left to join one of her clients, CITGO Petroleum Corporation, as in-house counsel responsible for its employment, labor, and employee benefits legal matters. She remained with CITGO until its relocation of its corporate offices to Houston. Ms. Brightmire returned her labor and employment practice to Doerner Saunders and now heads the firm's Employment Law Practice Group.

Ms. Brightmire exclusively represents employers in every aspect of the practice. In non-litigation matters, Ms. Brightmire counsels clients as to employee-related matters as well as drafts or reviews policies, handbooks, employment contracts, severance programs, severance agreements, and relocation programs. She has also represented clients at every step of the litigation process from the administrative agency through trial and appeal.

The Firm's Employment Law Practice Group also publishes a free monthly e-newsletter, "The Employer's Legal Resource, Preventing Problems, Providing Solutions," devoted to the issues facing employers. To subscribe, just sign up at http://www.newsletters.dsda.com . It's published the first business day of each month.

To read an article recently written by Ms. Brightmire on wrongful discharge in Oklahoma, go to http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=48&articleid=20091217_46_E4_Forall888580