Pamela J. Kovacs

As a former recruiter, Pamela Kovacs brings a unique insight into her work in employment and labor law, including having advised clients in the areas of discipline and discharge, employee handbooks, wage and hour, professional employer organizations, joint employment issues, collective bargaining, and labor campaigns. In addition, her education and experience in government contract law during law school provided Pamela a useful foundation for her affirmative action work with government contractors.

Pamela also advised colleges and universities on higher education laws, such as Title IX, the Clery Act, the Campus SaVE Act, and FERPA. As part of trainED, she regularly conducts trainings and investigations for higher education institutions as well.

Prior to joining Lathrop GPM, Pamela was a clerk for the Honorable James B. Loken at the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. She also served as a summer associate for Gray Plant Mooty in 2011.

Representative Experience

• Conducted multiple investigations of allegations of sexual misconduct involving students and/or staff at higher education institutions
• Drafted sexual misconduct policies for multiple higher education institutions
• Advised higher education institutions on decisions and appeals following sexual misconduct or other policy violation investigations involving students, faculty, and/or staff
• Advised and assisted university in successfully opposing union campaign to organize adjunct faculty
• Prepared affirmative action plans for various government contractors
• Represented university in defending federal lawsuit following Title IX investigation and assisted university in reaching favorable settlement

• Co-Presenter, “Title IX/VAWA Investigator Training,” trainED, August 4, 2021
• Co-Presenter, “Annual Training for Advanced Title IX Coordinators and Deputy Coordinators,” trainED, August 3, 2021
• Co-Presenter, “Annual Training for New Title IX Coordinators and Deputy Coordinators,” trainED, August 2, 2021
• Co-Presenter, “Title IX/VAWA Investigator Training,” trainED, July 21, 2021
• Co-Presenter, “Annual Training for Advanced Title IX Coordinators and Deputy Coordinators,” trainED, July 20, 2021
• Co-Presenter, “Title IX/VAWA Investigator Training,” SC Technical College System, June 25, 2020
• Co-Presenter, “Campus SaVE Act Final Regulations Update,” trainED, November 19, 2014
• Co-Presenter, “Drafting Your Notice of Determination Training,” trainED, November 13, 2014
• Co-Presenter,“Clery Act Annual Security Report Training,” trainED, September 10, 2014

• “Affirmatively Inefficient Jurisprudence?: Confusing Contractors’ Rights to Raise Affirmative Defenses with Sovereign Immunity,” coauthor, The Federal Circuit Bar Journal

• Bethlehem Baptist Church, member
• Immigration Law Center of Minnesota, pro bono attorney
• Manage child safety policies, training, and response for faith-based organization working overseas

• Minnesota State Bar Association, "North Star Lawyers," 2014, 2023