Missouri Lawyers Media honored Ian Cooper at its annual ICON awards luncheon on June 13, 2024. Ian was recognized for his long and distinguished career and for his longstanding commitment and contribution to the legal profession. Ian P. Cooper is a founding...
NEWS
Department of Labor Issues Rule Raising Salary Level for Exempt Employees
On April 23, 2024, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) released its final rule increasing the minimum salary requirements for exempt (sometimes referred to as “salaried”) employees employed in a “bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity (commonly referred to as “white-collar” employees). [1] The final rule increases the minimum salary level from $35,568 per year for exempt employees to $58,656 per year.
The final rule is set to roll out in two waves: Employers are required to increase employees who fall under the “white collar” exemptions to a salary of $844 per week ($43,888 per year) by July 1, 2024 and to a salary of $1,128 per week ($58,656 per year) by January 1, 2025. For Highly Compensated Employees (“HCE”), the minimum salary is increased to $132,964 per year, effective July 1, 2024, and $151,164 effective January 1, 2025.
Ian Cooper Wins Discrimination and Retaliation Case for Southern Illinois University
Ian Cooper has won a case brought under Title VII and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act brought by a former faculty member at Southern Illinois University. The former employee claimed that he was terminated on the basis of his national origin, race, and age, and in retaliation for making complaints. On March 31, 2024, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois granted the University summary judgment on all claims.
April 1st – USCIS Announces H-1B Cap Lottery Registration Selections Completed and New Filing Fees and Forms Implemented
On April 1, 2024, USCIS announced that it has received enough electronic H-1B cap registrations during the “initial registration period” to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap. It is uncertain whether there will be subsequent H-1B cap selections, based on the...
Tueth Keeney Cooper Mohan & Jackstadt, PC Named A Top Place for Women to Work in New “Women in the Workplace” Report
Tueth Keeney was recognized by the Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis (WFSTL) as a top place for women to work in the seventh annual “Women in the Workplace: Employment Scorecard.” Tueth Keeney was recognized as one of 14 St. Louis employers demonstrating excellence in four areas of workplace gender equity – leadership, compensation, flexible work policies, and recruitment and retention.
Veronica Potter and Ian Cooper Win MHRA Jury Trial for University
Veronica Potter and Ian Cooper won a five-day jury trial for Washington University on March 1, 2024, in St. Louis County Circuit Court. The plaintiff was a former employee of the University who claimed he was terminated because of his race and his prior complaints, and that he was subjected to a hostile work environment. The claims were submitted to the jury under the MHRA’s prior “contributing factor” standard of liability. After five days of evidence, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the University on all claims.
Department of Labor Announces Independent Contractor Final Rule
On January 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued its final rule regarding how to determine who is an employee versus an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The final rule rescinds the DOL’s 2021 Independent Contractor Rule that was published on January 7, 2021. Previously, the DOL announced on March 11, 2021 that this rule would be rescinded and replaced, with the proposed rule being published on October 13, 2022.
Shareholders elect Merry Rhoades to Management Committee
The shareholders of the law firm Tueth Keeney Cooper Mohan & Jackstadt, P.C. recently elected Firm attorney Merry Rhoades to the Firm’s Management Committee. Merry's duties are set to begin January 1, 2024. Merry Rhoades has more than 30 years of experience...
Ian Cooper And Jenna Lakamp Win Novel Age Discrimination Case For Southern Illinois University
Ian Cooper and Jenna Lakamp have won a case brought under the Age Discrimination Act, a federal statute prohibiting age discrimination against students by universities and other recipients of federal funds. The case was brought by a former student in Southern Illinois University’s Nurse Anesthetist graduate program in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
Comment Period Closes for Proposed FLSA Regulation Updating Salary Level
On August 30, 2023, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed rule that would increase the minimum salary requirements for individuals employed in a “bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity (commonly referred to as the “white-collar” or “EAP exemption”). The DOL received approximately 33,309 comments during the notice and comment period, which closed on November 7, 2023. We are now waiting for the DOL to publish the final version of the rule.
New Form I-9, August 30 Deadline to Inspect Documents, and Alternative Remote Examination Procedure
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) has promulgated a new version of the Form I-9, which is now available for use (please also see new Form I-9 Instructions). The new I-9 has reduced Sections 1 and 2 to a single sheet, and has relocated the Reverification and Rehire section to a separate “Supplement B” page, among other changes.
Department of Education Announces Proposed Rule on Transgender Student Participation in Athletics
by Mandi Moutray and Veronica Potter On April 6, 2023, the Department of Education announced its proposed regulation under Title IX that would bring some clarity to the question of whether transgender students can be prohibited from participating on athletic teams...









