Sioux Falls lawyer Jean H. Bender is an employment lawyer at Davenport Evans. Jean is extremely active assisting clients with employee benefits issues and all areas of employment law. Jean counsels employers on issues involving harassment, race, sex, age, national origin and disability discrimination, wrongful termination, wage and hour issues arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act, and leave issues under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Jean proactively counsels employers on issues such as hiring and firing, drug testing, harassment and discrimination investigations, employment policies, and company handbooks. Jean also drafts corporate documents related to employment such as contracts, non-compete agreements, and severance agreements and releases.

Jean also consults with employers on ERISA and other legal compliance issues for employee benefit plans ranging from qualified retirement plans to flexible benefit plans. Jean has assisted a number of clients in correcting plan errors through IRS and DOL voluntary compliance programs such as EPCRS and DFVCP. She also negotiates service contracts with third party providers.

Jean has received a Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished Peer Rating, indicating the attorney is widely respected for high professional achievement and ethical standards. She has also been selected by Best Lawyers® as the 2021 Lawyer of the Year for South Dakota in the area of Employment Law – Management. She is listed by Best Lawyers in the area of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Employment Law—Management, and has been ranked by Chambers and Partners in the area of Labor & Employment Law.

Throughout her career, Jean has been involved in the community. She served on the Minnehaha County Board of Commissioners, as president of the Brandon Valley School Board, and as chair of the Brandon Valley Booster Club. She served on the board of directors for Volunteers of America, Dakotas, CASA, and the Accessible Housing Board. Jean is a frequent volunteer for Junior Achievement and is active in her church.

Position: Of Counsel
Direct: (605) 336-2880
Email: [email protected]