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Leslie is a director of Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A. Prior to joining the firm in 1990, Leslie served four years as an Assistant Stark County Prosecutor in the Civil Division. She is a frequent guest speaker at various public employment seminars as well as police officer training and school in-service seminars.

Education

  • Miami University, B.A., 1983
  • University of Akron, J.D., 1986, published member of the Akron Law Review

Professional Experience

  • Serves as the Chief Negotiator in public sector union negotiations
  • Conducts and advises clients on Internal Investigations related to employment matters
  • Advocates client matters before the State Employment Relations Board (SERB) and State Personnel Board of Review (SPBR)
  • Advises political subdivisions regarding public employment matters
  • Serves as general counsel for several political subdivisions
  • Frequent presenter to business and community groups regarding various labor issues including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Affirmative Action, and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Courts and Bar Associations

  • Ohio, 1986
  • Member: American Bar Association, State and Local Government and Employment Law Committee
  • Member: Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA)
  • Member: Stark County Bar Association (SCBA)
  • Former Member of the Executive Committee: Stark County Bar Association, Labor Law, Unauthorized Practice

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • Member: Ohio School Boards Attorney Association
  • Member: NSBA Council of School Attorneys
  • Board of Directors:  Canton Palace Theatre
  • Member: The Public Sector Labor Relations Association
  • Former Treasurer and Board Member: Canton Ballet Barre Association
  • Past Chairman: Hall of Fame Festival Ribs Burnoff Committee
  • Served as counsel for Pro Football Hall of Fame activities
  • Former Committee Member: Canton Bicentennial
  • Former President: Children’s Network of Stark County Inc.

Honors & Awards

  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America®, 2009-current
  • Named Best Lawyers Employment Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year”, Akron (2012, 2014, 2017)
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America® as Lawyer of the Year 2023

Notable Presentations and Publications

  • How Arbitration Works”
  • “Tips for Investigating Employment-Related Claims”
  • “Fair Labor Standards Act”
  • “New Labor Regulations”
  • “SB 5/Budget Bill”
  • “New Developments for Public Employers and Companies with Government Contracts:  Homeland Security, Affirmative Action, and Speech Rights of Public Employees”
  • “Changes with Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)”
  • “Reasons to Update Your Job Descriptions”
  • “Ohio Minimum Wage Law & Overtime Benefits – How the New Law Will Impact Your Company”
  • “Cybervetting and Other Hiring Issues”
  • “Sexual Harassment Training”
  • “First Amendment Rights of Public Employees”
  • “Ohio’s Minimum Wage and its Continuing Impact on Employers”
  • “Child Labor Law Update”
  • “Ohio Public Records Act Update:  Private Entities”
  • “Wage & Hour Claims:  Are Your Employees Properly Classified & Are Your Properly Calculating Hours Worked?”
  • “Setting Up A Crisis Plan”

Articles Published by Leslie Iams Kuntz

Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9

On November 14, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a revised version of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. The current form remains valid until January 21, 2017. But starting on January 22, 2017, all employers must begin using the revised version in order to remain compliant with […]

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Federal Judge Blocks Rule Requiring Overtime For Salaried Employees Earning Under $47,476.00

The Rule issued by the Labor Department to take effect December 1, 2016, requiring a minimum salary of $47,476 for employees to qualify as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act was blocked by a Federal Judge on November 22, 2016. Thus, the changes in the Rule will not take […]

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Increased Penalties for Violations of Federal Employment Law Posting Requirements Effective July 5

Effective July 5, 2016, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission raised the penalty for employers who fail to properly post required workplace notices required under several federal statutes including Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA). Previously the penalty was $210 per violation and […]

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