Polsinelli PC issued the following announcement on June 22.
Polsinelli Labor & Employment Department Chair Denise Drake has been recognized among the top businesswomen in the greater Kansas City region by the Kansas City Business Journal through induction into its 2020 class of “Women Who Mean Business.”
Drake is one of 25 women honored in this year’s Women Who Mean Business class, a program now in its 21st year of honoring leading businesswomen in the region.
In addition to her role as Chair of Polsinelli’s national Labor & Employment Department, Drake also serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Employment Class & Collective Actions Practice and is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. She leads a national team of labor and employment professionals, developing strategies around hiring and growth initiatives, and overseeing general work product and outcomes that her group produces.
“First and foremost, Denise is a great lawyer and relied upon by CEOs (including me) and HR departments around the country for advice, counsel and where necessary – advocacy. This year especially, our clients rely on Denise and her team for strategic guidance in safely and successfully navigating COVID, remote work and the disruptions which have accompanied this crisis,” said Polsinelli Chairman and CEO Chase Simmons. “Within our firm, she’s an indispensable leader, mentor and champion of our diversity efforts.”
Drake balances her leadership role with a robust client workload. Although her favorite role is that of advisor, her practice is significantly focused on defending employers in disputes, including nationwide class and collective action cases valued at more than $500 million. She has obtained verdicts in single plaintiff trials and arbitrations involving allegations of sexual and racial harassment; sex, race, disability and age discrimination; and retaliation and whistleblower claims.
“Navigating the unprecedented issues brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, recent protests, and new court decisions have challenged me more than I have ever been challenged in my career, which makes this recognition even more significant,” said Drake. “I am proud of our entire labor and employment team of attorneys who inspire me each and every day. It is a true honor and privilege to be named to the 2020 Women Who Mean Business class alongside so many accomplished and impressive professionals.”
Original source can be found here.