Michelle M. Donarski is a shareholder with Anderson, Bottrell, Sanden & Thompson practicing in the areas of labor and employment law, union arbitrations, agricultural law, commercial litigation, contracts, insurance defense, civil litigation, federal crop insurance, and Plant Variety Protection infringement. She received her B.S. decree from Minnesota State University Moorhead and her J.D. degree from the University of North Dakota. She is licensed to practice law in North Dakota and Minnesota state and federal courts. Michelle is a frequent lecturer on employment law. The lecture topics include military leave, wage and hour law, hiring and firing of employees, discrimination, sexual harassment, federal and state employment laws, employee handbooks, documenting performance issues, noncompete agreements, employment agreements, and protecting employer's proprietary information She has also successfully arbitrated a number of federal crop insurance cases and successfully litigated a number of infringement cases under the Plant Variety Protection Act.
Areas of Practice:
- Labor and Employment Law
- Agriculture Law
- Business Litigation
- Insurance Defense
- Civil Litigation
- Internet Law
Education and Experience:
- Moorhead State University (B.S. 1990)
- University of North Dakota (J.D. 1995)
- Jeffries, Olson, Flom & Bullis, P.A., Fargo, ND (1995-2000)
- Anderson, Bottrell, Sanden & Thompson (since 4/00)
Bar Admissions:
- Minnesota Supreme Court (1995)
- North Dakota Supreme Court (1995)
- U.S. District Court of MN (1995)
- U.S. District Court of ND (1996)
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (1996)
Honors
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2008 - www.bestlawyers.com
- Ranked one of America's Leading Employment Lawyers by Chambers USA (2004-2007) (Labor and Employment)
Publications:
- Punitive Damages and Insurance: Are Punitive Damages Insurable? The ND Supreme Court Says Yes, Despite ND's Public Policy to the Contrary, 70 N.D. Law Review, 637 (1994)
- Professional Writer for "Area Woman" Magazine (1996-2000)
EMPLOYMENT LAW ARTICLES:
- EMPLOYMENT LAW: SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORK PLACE
- EMPLOYMENT LAW: NORTH DAKOTA GENDER DISCRIMINATION & SEXUAL HARASSMENT
- PRE-EMPLOYMENT INQUIRIES: WHAT QUESTIONS CAN EMPLOYERS ASK DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS?
- PRE-EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEW CHART: WHAT QUESTIONS CAN EMPLOYERS ASK DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS?
- EMPLOYMENT AT WILL: THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP
- EMPLOYMENT LAW: AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990 ("ADA")
- EMPLOYMENT LAW: 2000 FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT LAW UPDATE
- EMPLOYMENT LAW: BEST PRACTICES IN EMPLOYMENT LAW
- EMPLOYMENT LAW: DOCUMENTATION, DISCIPLINE, DISMISSAL..AVOIDING THE PITFALLS!
ESTATE PLANNING ARTICLES:
- ESTATE PLANNING: THE BENEFITS OF A WILL & A POWER OF ATTORNEY
MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES:
- SMALL CLAIMS COURT: THE BASICS OF SMALL CLAIMS COURT IN NORTH DAKOTA AND MINNESOTA
- PURCHASING A HOME: WHAT A BUYER SHOULD KNOW BEFORE SIGNING ON THE DOTTED LINE
- PREMARITAL AGREEMENTS: I do. . . . But do I need a Premarital Agreement first?
Professional Activities:
- Alternate Municipal Judge, West Fargo, North Dakota
- North Dakota State Bar Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- North Dakota Consumer Protection Committee
Current Community Service and Activities:
- Board President, Fargo Cass Board of Health, Fargo, North Dakota
- Past Board President, Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Dakota
- Past City of Fargo Civil Service Commission Member, Fargo, North Dakota