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Professional portrait of Farrah N.W. Rifelj

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Farrah has served Michael Best in many capacities, currently as a partner in the Labor and Employment Relations Practice Group and as Lead for the group’s Affirmative Action sub-practice.  She also served as a member of the firm’s Management Committee for six years, Co-Chair of the Access &amp; Engagement Committee for four years, and as Associate General Counsel for three years. Her practice focuses on employment counseling and employment litigation, with a particular emphasis on discrimination, noncompetition, and Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).

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Farrah provides management with astute advice on employment topics such as:

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Non-competition and non-solicitation agreements

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Ever mindful of the best outcome for her clients, Farrah has successfully litigated discrimination, contract, family and medical leave, wage and hour, noncompetition and trade secret, and dealership issues in both state and federal courts. She also acts as a persuasive advocate before various administrative agencies.

Farrah is a 2015 recipient of <em>InBusiness</em> magazine’s “40 Under 40 Award.” She is a regular speaker at industry seminars and has written numerous articles on employment-related topics.

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Federal jury trials and summary judgment proceedings defending against claims of employment discrimination, harassment, and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) violations

Litigating contracts where interpretation is at issue. For instance, one successful case dealt with enforcing a confidentiality provision and another involved the interpretation of ambiguous language using the canons of contract construction.

State and federal court proceedings, including temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions regarding restrictive covenants, employee’s duty of loyalty, and the theft of trade secrets and proprietary information

Administrative proceedings before the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Equal Rights Division, the City of Madison Equal Opportunities Commission, and the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Employment contract drafting and review, including restrictive covenants

Daily advising of employees regarding compliance with shifting federal and state employment laws

Reviewing employee handbook and employment policies

Madison

Milwaukee

Pay Transparency is Knocking at Federal Contractor Doors – DoD, GSA, NASA and OFPP Issue Proposed Pay Equity and Transparency Rule

Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) Opens Portal for Contractors to Certify Affirmative Action Plan Compliance – July 1, 2024, Deadline

The United States Supreme Court Announces Lower Standard for Actionable Conduct Under Title VII

FTC Bans Non-Compete Agreements

Effective Date Of the Non-Compete Ban Identified – September 4, 2024

Thirty-Five Michael Best Attorneys Recognized in Chambers USA 2024 Rankings

Two Michael Best Lawyers Named to Power 30 Employment Lawyers List

Texas Court Stays Effective Date of the FTC’s Non-Compete Ban but only for the Plaintiff, Refuses to Issue a Nationwide Ban

Pennsylvania Court Refuses to Preliminarily Enjoin FTC Final Rule Banning Noncompetes – All Eyes Back on Texas for its August 30, 2024, Pending Decision

Ninety-Eight Michael Best Attorneys Earn Recognition in The Best Lawyers in America 2025 List

FTC Rule Banning Noncompetes Invalidated Nationwide

Salary Threshold Rule Overturned

President Trump Revokes Civil Rights Era Federal Contractor Equal Employment/Affirmative Action Executive Order 11246 and Warns Government Agencies and Private Employers Against Maintaining Illegal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practices – Part I

Farrah N.W. Rifelj

Credentials

Engagement

Insights

The Nation’s Top Civil Rights Agencies Prioritize Prosecuting DEI and Eliminating Enforcement of Disparate Impact Claims

Forty-Seven Attorneys Recognized in Chambers USA 2026 Rankings

President Trump Issues Executive Order to Further Prevent “Racially Discriminatory DEI Activities” by Federal Contractors

Credentials

Practices

Industries

Education

Admissions

Honors & Recognition

Languages

Engagement

Professional

Community

Insights

The Nation’s Top Civil Rights Agencies Prioritize Prosecuting DEI and Eliminating Enforcement of Disparate Impact Claims

Forty-Seven Attorneys Recognized in Chambers USA 2026 Rankings

President Trump Issues Executive Order to Further Prevent “Racially Discriminatory DEI Activities” by Federal Contractors

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