Shawn Wanta

Attorney

Shawn J. Wanta has dedicated his career to championing workplace equity and individual rights through class and collective actions. Born and raised in Milwaukee WI, Shawn has always had a strong drive to foster a just society. Shawn went on to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he received his degree in Philosophy and Political Science. Later, Shawn would go on to secure his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 2008.

Recognized for his skill in challenging cases, Shawn vigorously defends the rights of employees, and is motivated to deliver for his clients. He ensures their legal protections are enforced. Shawn’s nuanced grasp of employment law intricacies has allowed him to vigorously advocate on behalf of his clients, earning him numerous honors, including multiple selections as a Super Lawyer, Best Lawyers, and The National Trial Lawyers’ elite Top 100 Civil Plaintiff and Top 10 Wage and Hour attorneys.

With a career hallmarked by steadfast principles and tempered by profound life experiences, Shawn J. Wanta has emerged as an influential voice and respected leader in employment law. His measured counsel and advocacy for workplace parity have cemented Wanta Thome as a pioneer for employees seeking equitable treatment and rightful compensation.

If you are facing workplace inequity, discrimination, or unfair treatment, Shawn J. Wanta and the team at Wanta Thome are ready to fight for your rights. With a proven track record of success in securing justice and rightful compensation for clients, Shawn is committed to providing the skilled legal representation you need. Contact Shawn today for a confidential consultation to discuss your case and learn how he can help you navigate your employment challenges with confidence and clarity. Let Shawn be your relentless advocate in the pursuit of workplace fairness.

Education

William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN, J.D.
University of Wisconsin- Madison, Madison, WI, B.A.

Admissions

Minnesota Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois

Professional Memberships

National Employment Lawyers Association, Minnesota Chapter
National Association of Consumer Advocates
Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter Member and Pro Se Project Volunteer Attorney
Employee Lawyers Association of the Upper Midwest, Past Secretary-Treasurer
Minnesota Association for Justice
Minnesota State Bar Association, Consumer Litigation Section
Minnesota State Bar Association, Solo & Small Firm Section
Minnesota State Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section
American Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section

Honors

Super Lawyers® Super Lawyer, Class Action/Mass Torts, 2022-2023
Super Lawyers® Rising Star, Class Action/Mass Torts, 2012-2022
Best Lawyers in America©, Consumer Law, 2021-2023; Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action-Plaintiffs, 2023
The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Civil, Plaintiff, 2022-24
The National Trial Lawyers Top 10, Wage and Hour, 2022-24

Publications & Presentations

Something to chew on How newly legal THC edibles interact with Minnesota employment laws, Minnesota Bench and Bar, December 2022
Who’s the Boss? The ever-shifting landscape of Independent Contractors, Misclassification and Joint Employers, Minnesota State Bar Association, Co-presenter with Zaylore Stout and Gina Janeiro, February 17, 2021
Whistleblower, Reprisal, Retaliation, Minnesota CLE, Presenter, Sept. 16, 2019
Consumer Law 101, MSBA Consumer Litigation Section, Moderator, Feb. 21, 2019
Maine Bakery Drivers Lawsuit Will Become Class Action, Portland Press Herald, Interview, Feb. 1, 2019
Are Political Texts Legal? And How Can I Stop Them? NBC KARE 11 News, Interview, Oct. 24, 2018
Practical E-Discovery Strategies for the Plaintiff’s Lawyer, Eighth Circuit National Employment Lawyers Association Conference, Panelist with Bert Braud and Rebekah Bailey, Apr. 6, 2018
“How Do Lawyers Get Paid by a Class of Plaintiffs When There is No Fee Shifting Statute?,” Mitchell Hamline Law Review, Author, Apr. 5, 2018
E-Discovery for the Solo and Small Firm Attorney: The Basics of Doing More with Less, Minnesota CLE Solo and Small Firm Conference, Co-presenter, Aug. 7, 2017
Wisconsin Company Offers Optional Microchips for Employees, Al Jazeera, Interview, Aug. 2, 2017
Judge Adds Protections for N.C. Workers in Employee Lawsuit Against Bakery, The Charlotte Observer, Interview, Feb. 19, 2016
Lepage Bakeries’ Parent Company Challenges ‘Class Action’ Ruling, Maine Business Journal, Interview, Apr. 9, 2015
Class Actions: Enter the Consumer Lawyer, Minnesota Lawyer, Co-written with Chris Jozwiak, Mar. 16, 2015
Consumer Arbitration Agreements, NBC affiliate KARE 11, Interview, 2015
Cost-Effective Discovery of Electronically Stored Data CLE series, Employee Lawyers Association of the Upper Midwest, Presenter, 2015
Wage and Hour Battles on the Rise, Minnesota Lawyer Article, Commentator, June 19, 2014
Social Media Discovery, 8th Circuit NELA Conference, Panelist, 2014
Developing Trends in Wage and Hour Cases in Minnesota, Minnesota-NELA, Presenter, 2014
CBS Minnesota WCCO Radio, Discussion of Minnesota and Federal Consumer Protection Laws, Interview, Feb. 22, 2012
Wage and Hour Law, The Legal Journal Radio Show, Interview, 2012
Class Action Lawyers Target Groupon Over Expiration of Daily Deals, Crain’s Chicago Business, Interview, Apr. 23, 2011
Minnesota Lawsuit Alleges Deception in Groupon Business Model, Minnesota Public Radio, Interview, Mar. 24, 2011
Gift Certificate Laws in Minnesota, Class Action, Consumer Rights, Interview, 2011
Minired BP Carwash Voucher Sets Off $5 Million Class-Action Suit, Pioneer Press, Interview, 2011

Representative Cases

Class Counsel in Noll et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc. et al., No. 1:15-cv-00493-JAW (D. Me.) (class certification granted in class action brought by distributors of Flowers Foods, who are challenging their classification as independent contractors, rather than employees)
Lead Plaintiffs’ Counsel for In re Life Time Fitness, Inc. Telephone Consumer Protection Act Litigation, MDL 2564 (class action settlement awarding a maximum of $15 million for class members who received unsolicited text messages in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act); settlement affirmed (8th Cir. 2017)
Class Counsel in Rehberg et al. v. Flowers Foods Inc. et al., No. 12-cv-00596 (W.D.N.C.) (class action settlement for distributors who challenged their classification by Flowers Foods as independent contractors, rather than employees)
Class Counsel in Carr et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc. et al., No. 2:15-cv-06391-LS (E.D. Penn.) (conditional class certification granted in class action brought by distributors who are challenging their classification by Flowers Foods as independent contractors, rather than employees)
Class Counsel in Noll et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc. et al., No. 1:15-cv-00493-JAW (D. Me.) (conditional class certification granted in class action brought by distributors who are challenging their classification by Flowers Foods as independent contractors, rather than employees)
Class Counsel in Rosinbaum et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc. et al., No. 7:16-cv-0023-FL (E.D.N.C.) (conditional class certification granted in class action brought by distributors who are challenging their classification by Flowers Foods as independent contractors, rather than employees)
Class Counsel in Neff et al. v. Flowers Foods, Inc. et al., No. 5:15-cv-00254-GWC (D. Vt.) (conditional class certification granted in class action brought by distributors who are challenging their classification by Flowers Foods as independent contractors, rather than employees)
Class Counsel in Coyle v. Flowers Foods Incorporated, et al., 2:15-cv-01372-PHX-DLR (D. Ariz.) (conditional class certification granted in class action brought by distributors who are challenging their classification by Flowers Foods as independent contractors, rather than employees)
Class Counsel in Dennings v. Clearwire Corporation, No. C10-1859 (D. Wash.)
Class Counsel in Yarbrough v. Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc., No. 11-cv-02144 (M.D. Pa.)
Class Counsel in Low v. San Diego Union Tribune, No. 11-cv-01090 (S.D. Ca.)
Class Counsel in Chavez v. West Side Comm. Healthcare Svcs., Inc., No. 14-cv-00207 (D. Minn.)
Class Counsel in Gulbankian et al. v. MW Manufacturers, Inc., No. 10-cv-10392 (D. Mass.)
Class Counsel in Hartshorn et al. v. MW Manufacturers, Inc., No. 2012-cv-30122 (D. Mass.)
Class Counsel in Harrison v. Legal Helpers Debt Resolution, LLC et al., No. 12-cv-02145 (D. Minn.)
Executive Committee Member and Co-Chair of the Discovery Committee in In re HardiePlank Fiber Cement Siding Litigation, MDL No. 2359 (D. Minn)
Executive Committee Member for Wright et al. v. Owens Corning, No. 09-cv-01567 (W.D. Pa.)
Ketty v. Parkinson’s Specialty Care, LLC, No. 14-CV-04849, 2016 WL 3034158 (D. Minn. May 27, 2016) (final court approval of collective action settlement awarding a group of certified nursing assistants unpaid overtime premium pay and full liquidated damages pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act)
In re IKO Roofing Shingles Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2104 (C.D. Ill.)
Pagliaroni v. Mastic Home Exteriors et al., No. 12-cv-10164 (D. Mass.)
In re CertainTeed Fiber Cement Siding Litigation, MDL No. 2270 (E.D. Pa.)
Orieux v. CertainTeed Corporation, No. 11-cv-00234 (E.D. Pa)
Davis et al. v. SOH Distribution Co., No. 09-cv-237 (M.D. Pa.)
Egtvedt et al. v. West Publ’g Corp., No. 19HA-CV-09-1660 (Dist. Ct. Minn. 2009)
Cruz et al. v. Lawson Software, Inc., No. 08-5900 (D. Minn.)

Client Reviews

“I couldn’t have asked for a more patient and competent attorney than Shawn Wanta. He answered all of my questions thoroughly and provided excellent council. I would highly recommend contacting… if you need any legal help relating to employment.” –Betsey M.
“I have been working with Shawn Wanta on a few cases now. Excellent service, very responsive and respectful. Gets your case won! Many Thanks to Shawn and his Amazing Team!” –Carrie M.
“When I spoke with Shawn Wanta he was very sincere and actually listened to what I had to say.” –Ryan W.