James C. Hetlage
 jhetlage@lashlybaer.com  


James C. Hetlage is an experienced employment attorney and litigator. Throughout his career, Mr. Hetlage has represented governmental and private sector employers before administrative agencies, trial courts, and appellate courts. He is experienced in resolving employment discrimination claims and other employment and labor disputes in court and through mediation and arbitration. He provides clients with counseling and guidance on drafting and implementing employment policies and on Americans With Disabilities Act and discrimination compliance issues. Mr. Hetlage also handles litigation involving commercial disputes, including breach of contract, condemnation, construction, and real estate matters.

Primary Practice Areas

  • Employment Discrimination
  • Labor and Employment
  • Commercial Litigation

Bar Admissions

  • United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 1993
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, 1990
  • Supreme Court of Missouri, 1989
  • Supreme Court of Illinois, 1990

Education and Academic Honors

  • J.D., Washington University, 1989
  • B.A., English Literature, Kenyon College, 1986

Representative Reported Cases

  • Clark v. St. Louis Public Schools, 2006 WL 208600, E.D. Mo. January 25, 2006

  • Wade-Lemce v. Board of Education, 2005 WL 2333890, E.D. Mo., September 22, 2005
  • Davis v. Hammonds, 103 Fed. Appx. 51 (8th Cir. 2004)
  • Darst Webbe Tenant Association Bd. v. St. Louis Housing Authority, 202 F.Supp.2d 938 (E.D. Mo. 2001)
  • City of Ladue v. Rafaeli, 14 S.W.3d 258 (Mo. App. E.D. 2000)
  • Cross v. Board of Education, 223 F.3d. 867 (8th Cir. 2000)
  • Wack v. Board of Education of the City of St. Louis, 25 S.W.3d 689 (Mo. App. E.D. 2000)
  • FDIC v. Davis, 167 F.3d 1199 (8th Cir. 1999)
  • Miles v. Board of Education of the City of St. Louis, 989 F. Supp. 1225 (E.D. Mo. 1998)
  • C.F.S. v. Mahan, 943 S.W.2d 615 (Mo. App. E.D. 1996)

Representative Clients

  • Board of Education of the City of St. Louis
  • The Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District
  • Custom Concepts Design Build

Selected Lectures and Publications

  • "Employment Laws for Missouri School Districts," Missouri Association of School Business Officials Conference, April 2007
  • "Selecting and Terminating Employees," NBI Seminar, January 2003
  • "Drug Testing of Private and Public Employees," Human Resources Management Association of St. Louis, October 2002
  • "Recent Developments in ADA and FMLA," Hot Topics in School Law Seminar, Lorman, 2001

Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
    Labor and Employment and Litigation Sections
  • The Missouri Bar
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

Community Service and Awards

  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers
  • Washington University School of Law
    Alumni Executive Committee
  • National Kidney Foundation of Eastern Missouri and Metro East, Inc.
    Board of Directors, 1990-1995
    Secretary, 1992-1994
    Vice President, 1994-1995
  • Webster Child Care Center
    Board of Directors, 1995-1998
    Vice President, 1996
    President, 1997

Employment

  • Lashly & Baer, P.C.
    Member, 1996-Present
    Associate, 1989-1995