Steven (Steve) J. Lehman is Of Counsel in the Billings Litigation Department. His practice has consisted of all types of civil litigation with concentration in employment litigation in the areas of discrimination and wrongful discharge. He is also active in advising employers on union organizing attempts and employee relations including how to avoid wrongful discharge and discrimination claims. Mr. Lehman has an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell. He has been named one of Montana’s best labor and employment lawyers by Chambers and Partners, a Super Lawyer in the mountain states and the employment and labor lawyer of the year 2013 in Billings, Montana by Best Lawyers.
Practice Areas
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- Advice and representation in employment litigation, including wrongful discharge and discrimination matters
- Development of drug testing policies and related advice
- Employee discipline and termination advice
- Employee screening, hiring practices and policies
- Employment contract review and drafting
- Employment policy development, including handbook drafting and review
- Family and Medical Leave Act compliance
- Independent contractor / employee classification
- National Labor Relations Act
- Non-compete and non-disclosure agreements
- Separation agreements
- Wage and hour compliance
- Workplace safety / OSHA
Bar Admission
Supreme Court of Montana, 1978
U.S. District Court of Montana, 1978
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 1978
Education
1978-J.D., University of Wisconsin School of Law, cum laude
1972 – B.A. with Distinction, University of Wisconsin
Honors & Awards
AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
Best Lawyers’ “Lawyer of the Year” – Litigation – Labor & Employment (2012-2013, 2015, 2021, 2023)
Best Lawyers in America in Employment Law-Management, Labor Law-Management, and Litigation-Labor & Employment ( 2006-present)
Chambers USA – Leading Lawyers in Labor & Employment
Mountain States Super Lawyers for Employment & Labor (2007-2012, 2014-Present)
Community Involvement
Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Montana
Yellowstone Area Bar Association
American Bar Association
Montana Defense Trial Lawyers Association
Defense Research Institute (DRI)
Reported Decisions / Cases
Kukuchka v. Zeimet, 710 P. 2d 1361 (Mont. 1985)
Lueck v. UPS, 851 P. 2d 1041 (Mont. 1993)
Kenyon v. Stillwater County, 835 P. 2d 742 (Mont. 1992)
Koepplin v. Zortman Mining, Inc., 881 P. 2d 1306 (Mont. 1944)
Hollister v. Rosebud County, 22 F. 3d 950 (9th Cir. 1994)
Mysse v. Martens, 926 P. 2d 765 (Mont. 1996)
Clark v. Eagle Systems, Inc., 927 P. 2d 995 (Mont. 1996)
Russell v. Masonic Home, 147 P. 3d 216 (Mont. 2006)