PRACTICE EXPERIENCE:
Ben Banta, a native of New Orleans, La., joined The Kullman Firm in 1996. Since then, he has worked in various areas of labor and employment law, litigating discrimination, harassment and wage-hour cases including class and collective actions, prosecuting claims against ex-employees for violations of non-compete agreements and for misappropriation of confidential/proprietary documents and trade secrets, handling labor arbitrations, investigating employee complaints about working conditions, advising employers on wage payment issues, assisting with union elections, and representing companies in proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (including fatality cases). He has given speeches on topics such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act, he has conducted workshops and training sessions on how to manage employees, and he has counseled employers on disciplining employees, implementing reductions in force, and complying with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. Mr. Banta has worked with clients in several different industries — including health care, manufacturing, media, oil field services, stevedoring, and technology — and has done pro bono work for churches and social service agencies.

EDUCATION:
Tulane University, J.D., 1996
Northwestern University, B.S., 1993

MEMBERSHIPS:
Illinois State Bar Association
Louisiana State Bar Association
New Orleans Bar Association

ADMITTED:
Louisiana, 1996
Illinois, 2000