Dorraine concentrates her practice in the areas of bankruptcy law, debtor/creditor law, and employment law. She has extensive experience in the areas of commercial financing, creditors’ rights, and creditor bankruptcy matters. Dorraine works with banks and other creditors, assisting her clients with the many facets of their businesses. Her practice includes representing employers in personnel-related matters. Dorraine has conducted hundreds of training sessions relating to harassment, discipline, and other employment law matters. She also represents employers in defending employment-related claims.
Dorraine joined Gray Plant Mooty in 1989 and became a principal in 1996. She is a past chair of the firm's Pro Bono Committee and currently sits on that committee.
Experience
- U.S. Chapter 7 Panel Bankruptcy, trustee for 18 years
- Represents lenders in commercial workouts, replevins, and foreclosure actions
- Represents lenders, lessors, and trade vendors in bankruptcy reorganizations and liquidations
- Consults with employers on issues related to nonunion and unionized work places
- Represents employers in defense of charges of discrimination
Publications
- “Plan Now for Compliance,” coauthor, Business Central, January/February 2012
- “Bankruptcy and Divorce,” Family Law Financial Deskbook, 2010
- "Sexual Harassment Awareness Training: It’s Not the Boogie Monster," 72 University of North Dakota Law Review, No. 72, 1996
- "Out of the Frying Pan: How to Avoid Getting Burned in Your Dealings with Chapter 7 Trustees," 69 University of North Dakota Law Review, No. 1, 1993
Presentations
- “Recent Employment and Labor Law Developments,” copresenter, Society for Human Resource Management—Central Minnesota, October 21, 2010
- “Back to the FLSA Basics: You May Not Know as Much as You Think You Know,” GPM Employment Law Conference, April 21, 2010
- “Dealing With Financially Stressed Employees and the Impact on Your Business,” GPM Employment Law Conference, April 21, 2010
- “Making Management of Injured Workers Less Painful: Insight into Effectively Handling the Overlapping Areas of Workers Compensation, ADA, and FMLA,” GPM Employment Law Breakfast Roundtable, St. Cloud, Minnesota, January 21, 2010
- “Immigration Issues,” GPM Employment Law Breakfast Roundtable in St. Cloud, November 2008
- "Surviving Wage & Hour Audits," GPM Employment Law Conference, October 2008
- “Non-Bankruptcy Options for Pro Bono Clients,” National Equal Justice Conference, May 2008
- “Employee Handbooks,” GPM Employment Law Breakfast Roundtable in St. Cloud, May 2008
- “Forbearance Agreements and Bankruptcy,” Minnesota Bankers Association on Workouts, April 2008
- “Intersection Between Bankruptcy Law and Family Law Issues,” Minnesota Continuing Legal Education Family Law Institute, March 2007-2008
- “Bankruptcy Issues for Family Law Attorneys,” Hennepin County Bar Association Family Law section, March 2008
- “Credit Abuse Prevention Education,” St. Cloud State University, March 2008
- “Exemptions issues,” Webcast Continuing Legal Education, February 2008
- “Cause of Action,” Webcast Continuing Legal Education, January 2008
- “Reaffirmation Agreements,” Webcast Continuing Legal Education, December 2007
- “Homestead Issues,” Webcast Continuing Legal Education, November 2007
- “Family Law Issues,” Webcast Continuing Legal Education, October 2007
- “The Fair Labor Standards Act Issue and Participation in the Question Desk for Clients,” GPM Employment Law Conference, March 2007
Education
- University of North Dakota School of Law, J.D., with distinction
Order of the Coif - St. Cloud State University, B.A., magna cum laude
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
- Minnesota Women Lawyers, Central Minnesota Chapter, member
- Minnesota State Bar Association, Bankruptcy Law section, past chair, past treasurer, past secretary, past vice chair, Pro Bono Committee, member; Employment Law section, member
- Stearns-Benton Bar Association, member
Honors and Distinctions
- Pro Bono Publico Attorney Award, Minnesota Legal Services Coalition, 2009
- Pro Bono Award Winner, Minnesota State Bar Association, 7th Judicial District, 2007
- Raeder Larson Award, Minnesota State Bar Association, Bankruptcy Law Section, 2002
Community Involvement
- Central Minnesota Women’s Fund, vice president of Advisory Board of Directors
- The St. John’s Boys Choir, Board of Directors, past president and director