Laura Farley’s practice focuses on employment and higher education law. She brings nearly a decade of experience litigating cases involving sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation, giving her unique insight into the strategies and risks employers face. Laura advises colleges and universities on a range of legal issues and, through trainED, Laura conducts investigations into sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, gender-related violence, and protected class discrimination and harassment on behalf of higher education institutions.

Prior to joining Lathrop GPM, Laura was a partner at an employment law firm, where she represented individuals in employment disputes. She began her career at a Midwest litigation firm, where she litigated employment, contract and shareholder matters.

Laura earned her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, where she served as Lead Note & Comment Editor for the Minnesota Law Review, and her B.A., magna cum laude, in Legal Studies in Business from the University of St. Thomas.

Laura serves on the board for Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. She has been named a “Rising Star” by Minnesota Super Lawyers every year since 2020, and was recognized as a Minnesota Lawyer “Attorney of the Year” honoree in 2022.

Areas of Focus

Credentials

Education

  • University of Minnesota Law School (J.D.)
    • Minnesota Law Review, Lead Note and Comment Editor
  • University of St. Thomas (B.A., magna cum laude)

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Recognitions

  • Minnesota Super Lawyers, "Rising Stars," 2020-2025
  • Minnesota Lawyer, "Attorneys of the Year" Honoree, 2022
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, "North Star Lawyer," 2019-2021, 2024
  • Honorable Michael J. Davis Pro Bono Award Recipient, 2023

Presentations

Publications

  • Author, "Ending Forced Arbitration: Understanding the New Federal Law that Prohibits Mandatory Arbitration in Matters of Sexual Assault or Harassment," Bench & Bar of Minnesota, July 2022 Issue
  • Author, "Toward Equality: Bostock v. Clayton County and the future of the MHRA", Bench & Bar of Minnesota, September 2020 Issue

Professional Activities

  • Federal Bar Association, Member
  • Hennepin County Bar Association, Member
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Member
  • Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Board Member
  • Minnesota Women Lawyers, Member
  • Adjunct Associate Professor of Legal Writing, 2018-2021