Courtney Bru’s practice is focused on the representation of employers in state and federal labor and employment matters and other issues affecting the workplace. In addition to having extensive experience representing management in all phases of litigation before state and federal courts and regulatory and administrative agencies, a significant portion of her practice is devoted to counseling and training management and human resources professionals on the best practices for reducing risk, avoiding litigation, and maintaining a productive workforce.
Courtney has extensive experience representing local, regional and national clients with respect to claims and potential claims arising from the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, wage and hour issues arising under various state laws, and discrimination and retaliation issues arising under various state and federal laws. In addition, she frequently assists employers with day-to-day issues, including interviewing and hiring, discipline and termination, employment and nonsolicitation agreements, workplace policies and handbooks, drug and alcohol testing, employee classification, internal investigations, audits by state and federal agencies, anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training, reductions in force, and severance programs.
In addition to her employment practice, a portion of Courtney’s practice is devoted to commercial and civil litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts. She has represented numerous clients in cases involving negligence, breach of contract, fraud and bad faith.
Courtney’s achievements have earned her inclusion in Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, where she was praised for her understanding of the business environment and for her “good response time and knowledge of the field.” Researchers also noted her extensive litigation experience, as well as her specific expertise in the handling of wage and hour issues. She has also been named to The Best Lawyers in America (employment law – management; labor and employment litigation) and Oklahoma Super Lawyers, which selected her for its list of “Top 25 Women” lawyers. Courtney was named “Best Lawyers Employment (Management) Lawyer of the Year” for 2023 and 2027, honors given to a single lawyer in each legal specialty in each market.
Courtney is a contributing author and co-editor of the Oklahoma Employment Law Letter, a monthly review of new court decisions, regulations and laws affecting Oklahoma employers. She is also a frequent speaker on labor and employment topics before employer groups, industry professionals, and state and local bar associations.
Courtney began her career as an associate with the Atlanta office of Littler Mendelson and, more recently, was a partner of a Tulsa-based law firm, where she also served as leader of its Employment Law Practice Group.