Steven M. Cerny

Steve is a partner at Santi Cerny, PLLC, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has been in private practice for over fifteen years. Steve provides services to clients in the areas of civil litigation, employment law, and business law, in addition to providing outside general counsel services to companies in a variety of industries. Steve has been recognized by his peers and Minnesota Super Lawyers® as a top-rated attorney.

CIVIL LITIGATION

Steve represents clients in federal and state courts, before administrative agencies, and in arbitration. He has substantial experience in all aspects of the litigation process, including representing clients through summary judgment, trial, and appeal. Steve has a unique focus in handling matters that involve temporary restraining orders and injunctions.

In the area of employment litigation, Steve represents clients in matters involving claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination under federal, state, and local employment laws, common law, and in contract disputes, including non-competition and non-solicitation disputes.

Steve also represents companies, shareholders, directors, officers, and executives in business disputes, including owner and shareholder disputes, and in matters involving alleged negligence, mismanagement, breach of fiduciary duties, defamation, breach of contract, and business torts.

EMPLOYMENT LAW

Steve provides business owners and human resources professionals with advice and counsel in all areas of employment law and the employer/employee relationship, including on compliance with federal, state, and local laws, preparing employment agreements and separation agreements, implementing and administering policies and procedures, and navigating discipline and termination issues. He provides employers with management training and conducts, and assists employers in conducting, internal investigations. Steve also advises individuals on employment law matters.

BUSINESS LAW

Steve provides a variety of business and corporate law services to clients, including entity selection, incorporation, contract drafting and negotiation, owner and investor agreements, mergers and acquisitions, protection of intellectual property, succession planning, and general business matters.

GENERAL COUNSEL

Steve serves as outside general counsel to clients providing a comprehensive approach to managing the legal needs of a business, identifying and mitigating risks, integrating and collaborating with senior management, and providing insightful and strategic advice and counsel. Steve works with clients in a variety of industries, including information technology, professional services, manufacturing, printing, retail, lodging, transportation, healthcare, and restaurant and food services.

Steve graduated from William Mitchell College of Law with honors, served as an Assistant Editor of the William Mitchell Law Review, participated in moot court where he won regional and national awards, and he has since taught at Mitchell Hamline School of Law as an Adjunct Professor.