Bridget M. Thoenen

Bridget Thoenen is an associate in the Kansas City office. As a member of the firm’s ERISA/Employee Benefits Group, Bridget has experience representing pension, 401(k), and health and welfare plans, including single-employer, multiemployer, multiple employer, and government plans. She regularly advises clients regarding plan design, implementation, and administration of qualified and non-qualified plans, and assists clients with compliance with ERISA and other employee benefits laws. Further, as a member of the firm’s Employment Law Group, Bridget advises employers regarding a wide range of legal compliance issues and assists with the development and implementation of employee handbooks and policies. Bridget’s practice with the firm also includes both litigation and appellate practice.

Prior to joining Dunn & Davison, Bridget clerked for the Honorable Thomas M. Welch, State of Illinois Appellate Court, Fifth District.


Practice Areas

Representative Engagements

  • Developed required amendments to health and welfare plans, including amendments to comply with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
  • Negotiated voluntary compliance program filings and determination letter applications with the Internal Revenue Service on behalf of qualified pension plans.
  • Developed required amendments to single-employer, multiemployer, multiple employer, and government pension plans.
  • Drafted and reviewed investment policy statements for qualified pension plans.
  • Represented institutions in response to a complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board and a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.
  • Advised employers regarding compliance with the Civil Rights Act, ADA, FMLA, NLRA, HIPAA, COBRA, and other employment-related laws, including conducting training sessions regarding such laws.
  • Developed and implemented employee handbooks, social media policies, and other policies for employers and institutions.
  • Drafted succession plan for local multi-million dollar equipment manufacturer.
  • Reviewed and negotiated client contracts with service providers.

Education

  • B.A., Business Administration, University of Missouri-Columbia, magna cum laude, 2005
  • J.D., University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law, 2008
    • Dispute Resolution Certificate
    • Note and Comment Editor, Missouri Law Review

Admissions/Court Memberships

  • State of Missouri
  • State of Kansas

Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Missouri Bar Association
  • Member, Kansas Bar Association
  • Member, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association

Publications

  • Attempted Enticement of a Minor: No Place for Pedophiles to Hide Under 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b), 72 Mo. L. Rev. 909 (2007).