James C. Hetlage

ATTORNEY AT LAW

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Biography

James C. Hetlage is an experienced employment attorney, litigator, and municipal attorney. He represents government and private-sector employers before state and federal administrative agencies, trial courts and appellate courts. Mr. Hetlage is experienced in resolving employment discrimination claims and other labor and employment disputes in court and through mediation and arbitration. He has addressed the impact of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter for employers, and has counseled employers on proper means for avoiding discrimination and harassment claims.

Mr. Hetlage serves as the City Attorney for the Cities of Glendale and Wentzville, Missouri. In that capacity, Mr. Hetlage addresses substantially all of the legal needs of these cities, including preparation and review of ordinances and contracts, analysis of zoning and land use issues, Sunshine Law requests, and personnel matters. Mr. Hetlage also serves as special counsel for the City of Sunset Hills, Missouri, and as labor and employment counsel for the Cities of Crestwood and Festus, Missouri.

Mr. Hetlage partners with his employer and municipal clients to identify ways to avoid risk and keep his clients out of the courtroom. Mr. Hetlage provides clients with counseling and guidance on drafting and implementing ordinances, employment policies and on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), wage and hour, and discrimination compliance issues. In addition, he handles litigation involving commercial disputes including breach of contract, condemnation, construction, and real estate matters.

Jim has been selected for inclusion in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers lists in the areas of Employment & Labor law in multiple years, since 2009, and has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in multiple years, each year since 2015, for his work in employment law – management. Jim is also peer rated AV Preeminent® with Martindale-Hubbell. He earned his J.D. from Washington University School of Law.

Community Service & Awards

Designated as a member of the Top 100 St. Louisans To Know To Succeed in Business, Small Business Monthly, 2015
The Best Lawyers in America® Employment Law – Management, 2015 – Present
Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, Employment & Labor Law, 2009 – Present
Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent®

Lectures & Legal Publications

Presenter, “Personnel Law Updates for Missouri Municipal Employers,” Missouri Municipal League Elected Officials Training, June 10, 2021
Presenter, “Personnel Law Updates for Missouri Municipal Employers,” Missouri Municipal League Annual Conference, September 16, 2020
Panelist, “Impacts of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act),” Missouri Municipal League Webinar, April 2, 2020
“Recent Developments in the Family and Medical Leave Act,” Leading Age Legal Issues Seminar
“Fair Labor Standards Act for Public School Districts,” Missouri School Boards Association Annual Conference
“Social Networking Websites in the Workplace; What’s Legal What’s Not,” Missouri School Boards Association Annual Conference
“Employment Issues Facing Missouri Educators,” Lorman Education Services
“Drug Testing of Private and Public Employees,” Human Resources Management Association of St. Louis
“Recent Developments in ADA and FMLA,” Human Resources Management Association
“Employment Laws for Missouri School Districts,” Missouri Association of School Business Officials Annual Conference
“Selecting and Terminating Employees in Missouri,” National Business Institute

Representative Clients

City of Wentzville, Missouri
City of Glendale, Missouri
City of Sunset Hills, Missouri
City of Crestwood, Missouri
Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District
St. Louis Public Library
Chubb Specialty Insurance

Representative Cases

Spiegel v. Ferguson-Florissant School District, Case No. ED109274, May 25, 2021, E.D. Mo.
Clark v. St. Louis Public Schools, 2006 WL 208600, E.D. Mo.
Wade-Lemee v. Board of Education of the City of St. Louis, 2005 WL 2333890, E.D. Mo.
Davis v. Hammonds, 103 Fed. Appx. 51, 8th Cir.
Darst Webbe Tenant Association Bd. v. St. Louis Housing Authority, 202 F.Supp.2d 938, E.D. Mo.
City of Ladue v. Rafaeli, 14 S.W.3d 258, Mo. App. E.D
Cross v. Board of Education of the City of St. Louis, 223 F.3d. 867, 8th Cir.
Wack v. Board of Education of the City of St. Louis, 25 S.W.3d 689, Mo. App. E.D.
FDIC v. Davis, 167 F.3d 1199, 8th Cir.
Miles v. Board of Education of the City of St. Louis, 989 F. Supp. 1225, U.S. Dist, Ct. E.D. Mo.
F.S. v. Mahan, 943 S.W.2d 615, Mo. App. E.D.
Warren v. Board of Education of the City of St. Louis, 200 F.Supp.2d 1053, U.S. Dist, Ct. E.D. Mo.
McCurdy v. St. Luke’s Episcopal-Presbyterian Hospitals, 265 S.W.3d 286, Mo. App. E.D.
Civil Service Commission of the City of St. Louis v. Board of Alderman of the City of St. Louis, 92 S.W.3d 785, Mo. App. E.D.
Reichert v. Board of Education of the City of St. Louis, 217 S.W.3d 301, Mo. Supreme Ct.