Lauren Barghols Hanna's state and federal litigation practice is focused on labor and employment law and general civil litigation, particularly in the areas of energy, healthcare, insurance, intellectual property and water rights. In addition to representing both plaintiffs and defendants in complex civil litigation matters, she also counsels and represents employers in litigation matters involving all types of wrongful discharge claims, claims related to employment agreements, and other disputes arising from the employer-employee relationship.
As a part of her employment practice, Lauren speaks at seminars on a variety of employment-related matters and serves as a contributing author to the Oklahoma Employment Law Letter. She also works with employers in crafting appropriate employment policies and procedures, employee handbooks, non-disclosure/non-solicitation agreements, employee severance agreements and releases.
Lauren graduated with highest honors from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2007. In addition to her legal practice at the firm, she serves as a volunteer attorney for Oklahoma Lawyers for Children, a nonprofit organization that uses the time, talent and resources of qualified pro bono lawyers and others to represent and assist children in various matters, including parental termination hearings, before the Juvenile Division of the Oklahoma County District Court.
Active in the community, Lauren serves on the board of trustees for the North Texas and Oklahoma Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and as secretary for the Oklahoma City Phi Beta Kappa chapter and is an active member and supporter of the Oklahoma Riversport district.
Representative Experience
· Represented a trustee in state court bench trial involving various claims against trustee for breach of fiduciary duty. Successfully obtained judgment in favor of the trustee.
· Represented a national employment services company in an employment arbitration involving claims of wrongful termination based on race/national origin discrimination and violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Successfully obtained judgment for the employer on each cause of action.
· Represented a title insurance company in a state court trial involving bad faith and breach of contract claims by an insured. Sucessfully obtained judgment in favor of the title insurance comapny on all claims.
· Represented large Oklahoma City-based grocery store in intellectual property trademark dispute with California-based nationwide distributor. Obtained partial summary judgment against distributor prior to settlement and obtained consent decree prohibiting California distributor from any further use of client's trademark.
· Represented preferred provider organization (PPO) in an arbitration against third-party payor involving breach of contract, fraud, tortious interference, business disparagement and negligent misrepresentation.
· Obtained summary judgment for an Oklahoma energy company in a multiple-party federal court dispute involving claims of breach of drilling contract and oil and gas lien foreclosures.
· Obtained summary judgment for a Texas oil company in an operating agreement dispute over liability for drilling costs.
· Obtained summary judgment for energy client in dispute between natural gas companies involving sale of leases worth $13 million dollars.
· Obtained declaratory judgment for a real-estate developer in a federal court matter involving water rights. In same case, successfully appealed to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals an attempt by a rural water district to remove a pending action to federal court.
Attorney Articles
· Gavel to Gavel: Guidelines for wellness programs
The Journal Record - August 4, 2011
· Supreme Court to rule on privacy case involving use of company-issued phones
The Oklahoman - May 18, 2010
· Background checks: Credit checks and applicants, what you need to know
Oklahoma Employment Law Letter - September 2009
In The News
· New law gives state's employers greater options in drug testing
The Oklahoman - May 18, 2011
· High court to decide privacy case involving company-issued phones
The Oklahoman - May 19, 2010
At The Podium
· How to Terminate Legally presented at Spring 2010 Labor & Employment and Employee Benefits Seminar on May 26, 2010 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
· How to Terminate Legally presented at Spring 2010 Labor & Employment and Employee Benefits Seminar on May 19, 2010 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Professional Organizations and Memberships
· Oklahoma Bar Association
Civic Involvement and Leadership
· Leadership Oklahoma City - LOYAL Class VI
· Phi Beta Kappa, Oklahoma Chapter (Secretary)
· Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, North Texas and Oklahoma Chapter (Board of Trustees)
· Oklahoma County Bar Association Law Day Committee