Labor and Employment Law
Mediation
Jennifer R. Petersen focuses on advising and counseling clients on labor and employment law compliance and mediation. Jennifer provides a proactive, practical and business savvy approach to complex labor and employment matters.
Jennifer received her Juris Doctor with Distinction from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts from Iowa State University. Her professional experience spans positions at major law firms as well as as in-house counsel for a major health care organization and over ten years at an international trucking company.
Jennifer provides advice and counsel on all aspects of labor and employment law. From advising on compliance issues to responding to government audits, Jennifer provides comprehensive employment advice and counsel services. Jennifer's experience with wage and hour issues, non-compete agreements, discrimination claims, and labor matters provides knowledgeable counsel tailored to each client's situation.
After litigating employment and commercial litigation cases for over two decades, Jennifer felt called to serve as a mediator for disputes. Jennifer has a labor and employment certificate from Cornell University, which enables her to serve as a mediator for employment and commercial disputes.
Jennifer is frequently requested to serve as a featured speaker throughout the community and on the national stage, recognized as a Subject Matter Expert in her field.
Service to the community is core to Jennifer's heart. Jennifer currently serves as Chair of the Program Committee for The Rose Theater. Additionally, Jennifer has been deeply involved in the Omaha and Nebraska Bar Associations. Jennifer is a past president of the Omaha Bar Association. Currently, she is also a member of the House of Delegates for District 4 of the Nebraska State Bar Association and Budget and Planning Committee, and serves as Vice Chair of the District Two Committee on Inquiry.
About Jennifer R Petersen
Areas of Practice
Education
University of Iowa, J.D., Graduated with Distinction
Iowa State University, B.A.
Bar Court
Admissions
&
Nebraska State Courts
Iowa State Courts
South Dakota State Courts
U.S. District Court of Nebraska
U.S. District Court of the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
Professional Civic Affiliations
&
Omaha Bar Association - Member (2001 - Present)
- President
- Program Committee Chair
- Executive Council
- Secretary
Nebraska State Bar Association Member
1999 to Present
- Vice Chair - District Two Committee on Inquiry (2019 - Present)
- Committee Member - Budget and Planning and Elections Committees (2024 - Present)
- House of Delegates Member - District 4 (2018 - Present)
Iowa State Bar Association Member
1998 to Present
- Governmental Affairs Committee (2009 - 2016)
Selected Practice Highlights
- Managed a complex trust and estates case in a dispute over retained earnings and profits that progressed into a lengthy bench trial, obtaining a defense verdict and an award of attorney fees
- Successfully defended and prosecuted cases involving non-competition clauses and misuse of confidential and proprietary information, including obtaining TROs
- Provided advice and counsel on health law, immigration, and employment matters for an academic medical center
- Successfully managed class action and collective actions brought in California as well as defended California wage claims and California independent contractor issues
Selected Publications
Co-Author "The Nebraska Public Policy Exception to Employment-At-Will," The Nebraska Lawyer, December 2003
Recent Speaking Engagements
Panelist "Compensability of Sleeper Berth Time," ATA Litigation Forum, 2021
Panelist "Accelerate 2018: Grow, Rise, Lead," UNL College of Law, 2018
Panelist "Top Employment Issues for In-House Counsel," NATERA, 2016
Panelist "Employment Law Trends," HRAM of Midlands, 2015
"Employment Law Update," Sterling Education Services, 2011
Community Involvement
Board Member/Program Chair, The Rose Theater (2020 - Present)
Bethany Lutheran Church (2007 - 2021)
- Co-Chair Open Door Mission Lunch Ministry (2015 - 2021)
- Personnel Committee, Church Council Member (2015 - 2016)
Finance Chair, Galaxy of the Stars Show Choir Competition (2022 - 2024)
Member, Millard North Middle School Site Improvement Team (2018 - 2021)
Founding Member, Women's Center for Advancement Legal Clinic (2014 - 2016, 2017 - 2021)
Team Coach, First Lego League (2010 - 2019)
Member, Aldrich Elementary Parent Teacher Association (2009 - 2018)
Member, Westside Lions Club (2008 - 2013)
Fundraising Committee, Prevent Blindness of Nebraska (2010)
Member, Joslyn Art Museum Young Art Patrons (2008 - 2009)
