Call Our Office 303-625-6400

Stephen B. Rotter

Before founding The Workplace Counsel, Mr. Rotter was an employment litigator with an Am Law 100 firm, a federal prosecutor, a postal services litigator, and a human resources consultant.

Early Career

After graduating from Northwestern University with a Psychological Services degree, Mr. Rotter began his career as a human resources consultant and executive recruiter for employers across various industries. He co-founded a recruiting and consulting firm to assist companies with workplace issues, talent development, and hiring practices.  

Mr. Rotter attended University of Denver Sturm College of Law and subsequently joined the Postal Service Employment Law Department where he investigated, litigated, and mediated numerous discrimination and retaliation charges by employees.  

In 2008, Mr. Rotter was appointed as a Federal Prosecutor in Chicago to investigate and charge white-collar crimes, and worked closely with Federal agents to investigate, indict, and sentence employees and federal contractors engaged in fraud, waste, and abuse. As a Special Assistant United States Attorney, Mr. Rotter charged over 75 defendants between 2008-2013 in crimes involving employee theft, fraud, bribery, and embezzlement, in addition to defendants guilty of mortgage fraud, gun and drug violations, counterfeiting, and robbery.

Workplace Law

In 2013, Mr. Rotter returned to focusing on the workplace and assists clients with defending against claims, charges, and external investigations, in addition to prosecuting employees involved in wrongdoing such as fraud and trade secret theft.  Mr. Rotter worked for the two biggest employment law firms before opening his own practice. 

Clients of The Workplace Counsel appreciate Mr. Rotter's practical advice, leading to efficient and successful results whether involving litigation, investigations, or settlement. Mr. Rotter provides advice and counsel to companies on everyday employment issues in addition to complex problems affecting his clients' ability to operate as effectively as possible. Mr. Rotter also conducts human resources and management training in an effort to assist clients with creating and developing positive workplaces and litigation avoidance. 

Education

University of Denver Sturm College of Law, J.D., 2005
Northwestern University, B.S., Psychological Services, 1995

Bar Admissions

Colorado, 2006
Illinois, 2013
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Notable Cases

Mr. Rotter has extensive litigation experience, including the following:

Employment Litigation
  • Obtained complete defense verdict in U.S. District Court jury trial on behalf of Fortune 500 client against former employee's discrimination and harassment claims.
  • Defended national residential and hospitality property owner and operator against former employee's claims of Title VII sex and race discrimination and retaliation resulting in full dismissal of claims.
  • Successfully defended employer's termination of employee based on safety concerns in MSHA/OSHA trial and against employee's discrimination and retaliation claims.
  • Defended numerous clients against employee charges of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, leave, wage and hour, and other employment claims before the EEOC, DOL, NLRB, and various state agencies.
White-Collar Investigations and Defense
  • Successfully defended Colorado-based company against grand jury investigation and potential charges for alleged EPA/OSHA violations.
  • Obtained Restraining Order against client's former employee after threats of workplace violence.
  • Successfully obtained dismissal of ADA Title III violations brought by restaurant patron.
  • First-chaired litigation asserting civil theft charges against employee engaged in fraud and embezzlement.
Restrictive Covenant Litigation
  • Successfully defended national media company and its newly hired employee against allegations by competitor for trade secret violations, breach of non-compete, and tortious interference.
  • Prosecuted former employee of client after breach of non-solicitation and non-competition agreement, resulting in issuance of permanent injunction.
  • Successfully defended numerous clients against allegations of trade secret violations and tortious interference of contract, leading to defeats of restraining orders and eventual case resolution with zero damages.

Accolades

  • Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters, Colorado Super Lawyers, Labor and Employment Law, 2020-2023
  • Award for Prosecutorial Excellence Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Service
  • Bruce B. Johnson Memorial Scholarship, University of Denver, Sturm College of Law
  • Evans Scholar Recipient, Northwestern University

Speaking Engagements       

  • "Reasonable Suspicion Training: Evaluating Impaired Behavior in the Workplace," Client Training, National, April 2023
  • "Workplace Violence: Prevention and Action," Client Training, National, March 2023
  • "Sexual Harassment Training for Managers," Client Training, Colorado Springs, Colorado, February 2023
  • "Legal Update: Mostly the FAMLI with a bit of Privacy, Wage Act, and CADA," Mile High SHRM, Denver, Colorado, November 2022
  • "Best Investigation Practices for HR," Client Training, Chicago, Illinois, October 2022
  • "Colorado's New Non-Compete Laws," Webinar, Denver, Colorado, June 2022
  • "All in the FAMLI," Mile High SHRM, Denver, Colorado, June 2022
  • "Colorado Employment/HR Legal Impact," Webinar, Denver, Colorado, January 2022
  • "Impact of New Colorado Labor Laws on Your Business," Webinar, Denver, Colorado, August 2021
  • "Healthy Families and Workplaces Act," Client Training, Denver, Colorado, July 2020
  • "Sick Leave and C19 - FFCRA, EFMLA, and PSL," Client Training, Denver, Colorado July 2020
  • "Manager Training: Legal Updates and You," Client Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, June 2020
  • "Managing C19 and Your Workplace," Client Seminar, Denver, Colorado, April 2020
  • "Closing the Gender Gap," The Workplace Counsel, Denver, Colorado, November 2019
  • "Illinois Workplace Law Refresher and Updates," Client Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, November 2019
  • "Workplace Violence Prevention: Enabling a Safe Environment," Client Seminar, Denver, Colorado, September 2019
  • "Workplace Investigations: Employment Issues and Protecting the Business," Client Training, Chicago, Illinois, April 2019
  • "The Gender Gap: Doing More for the Workplace," Client Training, Chicago, Illinois, March 2019
  • "Invisible Risks: Managing Mental Health Problems in the Workplace," Mile High SHRM Briefing, Denver, Colorado, September 2018
  • "Battle of the Sexes: Doing More for the Workplace," Client Briefing, Denver, Colorado, August 2018
  • "Protecting Your Workplace," Client Briefings, Denver, Fort Collins & Boulder, Colorado, April 2018
  • "The Cost of Noncompliance in Performance Management," National Human Resources Webinar, April 2018
  • "Thieves, Bullies, and Fraudsters: How To Protect Your Workplace From Evildoers," Client Seminar, Denver, Colorado, November 2017
  • "Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace," Client Seminar, Denver, Colorado, August 2017
  • "Recognizing and Responding to Threats of Workplace Violence: A Practical Guide," Mile High SHRM Briefing, Denver, Colorado, May 2017
  • "Workplace Investigations: Employment Issues and White Collar Defense," Mile High SHRM Webinar, Denver, Colorado, April 2017
  • "Workplace Investigations," Client Briefing, Denver, Colorado, March 2017
  • "Hold 'Em or Fold 'Em? A Panel on Dispute Resolution," Client Briefing, Denver, Colorado, September 2016
  • "Hostile Work Environment: When Enough is Enough," National Management Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, June 2016
  • "Strategic Approaches to Leave Issues," Client Briefing, Denver, Colorado, April 2016
  • "Drug-Testing in the Workplace," Client Seminar, Denver, Colorado, February 2016
  • "Breaking Up is Hard To Do: Drafting Effective and Enforceable Separation Agreements," Client Seminar, Denver, Colorado, October 2015
  • "Panel on Recruiting and Interviewing Practices," National Annual Managers Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, May 2015
  • "A Nightmare Employee: The Drug-Smoking, Leave-Abusing, Social Media ­Posting Bully," Client Seminar, Chicago, Illinois, October 2014
  • "Workplace Issues with Federal Employees," National Postal Service OIG Conference, Potomac, Illinois, November 2012 

CONTACT US TODAY

The Workplace Counsel is committed to providing high quality and effective legal representation in all matters involving workplace law issues. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Menu