Emily C. Atmore

Emily Atmore helps companies of all sizes and industries navigate the complexities of ever-changing employment and labor laws. Emily frequently advises employers on matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, protected leave, and wage and hour violations, as well as noncompetition, nonsolicitation, and trade secret issues. Emily also assists clients with conducting workplace investigations and preparing employee contracts, handbooks, and policies.

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Education

University of Minnesota Law School, J.D. 2018; Minnesota Law Review; Dean’s List; Dean’s Distinguished Scholarship; Mackall, Crounse & Moore Scholarship; American Bar Association Mendes Hershman Writing Award; Stinson Leonard Street Law Review Award; President, Business Law Association

University of St. Thomas, B.A., Business Administration (Accounting), 2015, magna cum laude

Admissions

Minnesota

United States District Court for the District of Minnesota

United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Representative Employment Experience

• Regularly defend Fortune 200 companies, as well as mid-size and smaller employers, against complaints before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and multiple state agencies; favorably resolved administrative complaints on behalf of medical device, technology, senior housing, healthcare, retail, and automotive companies.
• Frequently advise small businesses and start-up companies in the medical device, technology, and agricultural industries regarding employee and compliance issues, including preparing employee contracts, handbooks, and policies, as well as navigating termination and post-termination employee issues.  
• Regularly conduct workplace investigations and advise Fortune 100 retail company regarding employee ADA workplace issues.
• Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of national medical device company in arbitration brought by former employee asserting claims for gender, race, and/or national origin discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
• Assisted in obtaining full-sweep victory at summary judgment and then favorable settlement in a Minnesota employment discrimination and retaliation lawsuit brought by former independent insurance agent against national insurance company.
• Assisted in obtaining voluntary dismissal of baseless negligence claims by disgruntled former employee of third-party contractor on behalf of Minnesota-based wholesale distributor of lumber goods.
• Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of national medical device company and one of its executives in arbitration brought by former employee asserting two statutory whistleblower retaliation claims related to sex discrimination.

Representative Complex Commercial Experience

• Regularly assist in representing national medical device company in state and federal court and arbitration concerning claims of fraud, breach of contract, trade secrets misappropriation and tortious interference, among others, brought by competitors and former employees.
• Assisted in defense of national lumber producers in action by construction companies alleging that ten largest lumber producers in the U.S. conspired to fix and artificially inflate the prices of lumber and wood products in violation of federal and state antitrust law. Motion to dismiss granted and affirmed by the Fifth Circuit
• Assisted in resolving breach of contract, third party beneficiary, and equitable claims on behalf of California biomass energy producer and its affiliates for less than 10% of the plaintiff’s purported damages following summary judgment arguments and on the eve of trial.
• Assisted in representing former co-owner of Minnesota commercial real estate construction company in litigation against his prior business partners on breach of contract and securities-related claims arising out of a member interest purchase agreement. Achieved dismissal of defendants’ counterclaims on a summary judgment motion and later facilitated a settlement for value.
• Assisted in successful motion practice to enforce settlement agreement and dismiss claims in Minnesota state district court—and related appeal before the Minnesota Court of Appeals—as a part of litigation on behalf of a large Minnesota commercial real estate construction and development group.
• Assisted in representing owner of Minnesota animal feed manufacturer in shareholder dispute under claims for equitable sale or dissolution of the corporation and breaches of fiduciary duties. Prevailed on contested motion to appoint limited receiver to break deadlocks on issues before the corporate board of directors and ultimately secured highly favorable settlement on behalf of client.
• Regularly assisted defense of national loan servicer in mortgage-related litigation, including various actions for alleged wrongful foreclosure, fraud, breach of contract, unconscionability, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violations of TILA and RESPA. Successfully obtained title to foreclosed torrens property following contested matter proceedings before the Hennepin County Examiner of Titles.

​Pro Bono Representation

• Advised small business in Oregon regarding employee and independent contractor classification issues, an area of law that Emily has written multiple articles about.
• Represented League of Women Voters-Minnesota, Common Cause-Minnesota, and Minnesota Second Chance Coalition as amici curiae before the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court in an action seeking to restore voting rights for citizens previously convicted of felonies and now living in the community on probation and supervised release.
• Represented clients through the Main Street Relief Project—a task force of Stoel attorneys who provided no-cost legal services to independent restaurants, bars, and retail establishments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Successfully negotiated settlement in lease litigation on behalf of nonprofit organization providing residential treatment services to adolescents recovering from substance abuse.

Insights & Presentations

• Emily is a frequent contributor to the award-winning blog Stoel Rives World of Employment.
• “What to Know About Recent Non-Compete and Salary Basis Changes in Light of Expected Legal Challenges” (co-author), Stoel Rives LLP, May 15, 2024
• Co-author, “‘Economic Realities’ Test Adds Promise to DOL Gig Worker Rule,” Bloomberg Law, January 18, 2024
• Co-author, “Marijuana Laws Should Cue Employers to Update Workplace Policies,” Bloomberg Law, October 6, 2023
• Co-author, “Impeachment, Diverse Trial Teams, and Overcoming White Noise,” The National Law Journal, April 30, 2021
• “Killing the Goose that Laid the Golden Egg: Outdated Employment Laws are Destroying the Gig Economy,” Minnesota Law Review, December 2017
• “Unprecedented: President Trump’s Divided Loyalties,” Minnesota Law Review De Novo, February 1, 2017

• Included in Best Lawyers^®: Ones to Watch in America (Commercial Litigation), 2025
• Named a Minnesota Lawyer “Up & Coming Attorney,” 2023
• Volunteer Lawyers Network, Volunteer, 2019–present
• Stoel Rives LLP Andrew Guy Pro Bono Award, 2021

Professional

• Minnesota Law Review, Managing Editor
• Federal Bar Association, Member
• Minnesota State Bar Association, Member
• Hennepin County Bar Association, Member

Civic

• ACLU of Minnesota, Volunteer, 2020–present
• Minnesota Women Lawyers, Partner Leadership Committee, 2020–present
• Minnesota Women Lawyers, Mentor, 2019–2023
• Volunteer Lawyers Network, Volunteer, 2019–present

Firm Activities

• Stoel Women Attorneys Group, Board of Directors, 2023–present
• Firmwide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Member, 2022–present
• Firmwide Associate Committee, Co-Chair and Member, 2022–2024