Courtney Bru
- Labor and Employment
- Litigation
Courtney Bru represents employers in state and federal labor and employment matters and other issues affecting the workplace. In addition to having extensive experience representing management in all phases of litigation before state and federal courts and regulatory and administrative agencies, a significant portion of her practice is devoted to counseling and training management and human resources professionals on the best practices for reducing risk, avoiding litigation, and maintaining a productive workforce.
Courtney has extensive experience representing local, regional and national clients with respect to claims and potential claims arising from the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, wage and hour issues arising under various state laws, and discrimination and retaliation issues arising under various state and federal laws. In addition, she frequently assists employers with day-to-day issues, including interviewing and hiring, discipline and termination, employment and nonsolicitation agreements, workplace policies and handbooks, drug and alcohol testing, employee classification, internal investigations, audits by state and federal agencies, anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training, reductions in force, and severance programs.
In addition to her employment practice, a portion of Courtney’s practice is devoted to commercial and civil litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts. She has represented numerous clients in cases involving negligence, breach of contract and fraud.
Courtney’s achievements have earned her inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (employment law – management), Oklahoma Super Lawyers and Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, where she was praised for her understanding of the business environment and for her “good response time and knowledge of the field.” Researchers also noted her extensive litigation experience, as well as her specific expertise in the handling of wage and hour issues.
Courtney is a contributing author and co-editor of the Oklahoma Employment Law Letter, a monthly review of new court decisions, regulations and laws affecting Oklahoma employers. She is also a frequent speaker on labor and employment topics before employer groups, industry professionals, and state and local bar associations.
Courtney began her career as an associate with the Atlanta office of Littler Mendelson and, more recently, was a partner of a Tulsa-based law firm, where she also served as leader of its Employment Law Practice Group.
- J.D., Vanderbilt University, 2005
- B.A. (Political Science), summa cum laude, Auburn University, 2002; Phi Beta Kappa
- Editor, Oklahoma Employment Law Letter
- Contributing Editor, Midwest Employment Law Letter
- Author, "Employers weigh how to manage working parents absent because of COVID-19," Oklahoma Employment Law Letter, October 2021, and HR Daily Advisor, October 7, 2021
- Author, "Potential ADA accommodations abound, but a few declared 'unreasonable'," Oklahoma Employment Law Letter, September 2021, and HR Daily Advisor, September 23, 2021
- Author, "Best practices for ending pandemic-related work-from-home arrangements," Oklahoma Employment Law Letter, May 2021, and HR Daily Advisor, April 30, 2021
- Author, "What exactly is 'de minimis'? Working off the clock in world of e-mail, texts," Oklahoma Employment Law Letter, November 2018, and HR Daily Advisor, January 7, 2019
- Author, "EEOC alleges medical exams and questionnaires violate ADA, GINA," Oklahoma Employment Law Letter, October 2017, and HR Daily Advisor, November 19, 2017
- Quoted, "Exploring answers to 'mommy-track' dilemma," Diversity Insight, May 14, 2017
- Quoted, "Up-to-date handbook a vital tool for onboarding, training, and more," HR Hero Line, March 3, 2017
- Author, "EEOC says sexual orientation is protected under Title VII," Oklahoma Employment Law Letter, September 2015, and Diversity Insight, October 18, 2015
- The Best Lawyers in America
- Oklahoma Super Lawyers
- Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
- Georgia, 2005
- Oklahoma, 2006
- U.S. District Courts for the Western, Northern and Eastern Districts of Oklahoma
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit