Elena T. Vetter is a member of Parsons Behle & Latimer’s Litigation practice team. Elena focuses her practice on complex litigation matters and advises clients on issues related to employment law, antitrust and competition, commercial litigation, First Amendment and intellectual property disputes.
Capabilities
Biography
Elena defends employers in cases involving discrimination, harassment, civil rights, wage and overtime pay, and wrongful discharge claims arising under state and federal law, including claims involving the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and others. Elena also advises employers with compliance, helping them develop proactive, preventative employment policies.
Elena represents clients involved in complex business disputes and litigates claims arising out of breach of contract and contract interference, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, and other competitive issues. Elena’s intellectual property experience includes trademark issues, copyright claims and infringement.
In her First Amendment practice, Elena assists organizations and individuals seeking to obtain public records and litigates records-access disputes arising under statutes like the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA).
Experience
Dismissal of Defamation Charges by GOP Leader Against The Salt Lake Tribune
Based on Michael Judd's argument of neutral reporting privilege, The Salt Lake Tribune's Motion to Dismiss was granted in a lawsuit brought by former Utah GOP director of communications for defamation. The judge's decision rested on a previous Salt Lake Tribune case outcome (Schwarz), which, in 2005, was argued by Parsons attorney Michael O'Brien.
ADA Discrimination Defense
Represented a Utah city regarding discrimination charges under the ADA and in retaliation for filing worker’s compensation claims.
Defended Client in Competitive Misconduct with Antitrust Issues
Defended a pharmacy services client in allegations of competitive misconduct with antitrust issues.
Accomplishments
Academic
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
Executive Articles Editor of the Utah Law Review
Director of the Street Law Legal Clinic
CALI Award for the highest grade in an advanced legal writing seminar and a law and biomedical sciences class
William H. Leary Scholar
Emory University, B.A., summa cum laude, English and Sociology
Minor in Economics
Professional
2022 Utah Business Magazine’s Thirty Women to Watch Recipient
Associations
Professional
Judicial Clerk, Judge Ryan M. Harris, Utah Court of Appeals (2020)
Insights
Employment Law Update, September 12, 2024
Parsons Behle & Latimer Employment and Labor Attorneys Present at 2024 Bridgerland Annual SHRM Conference
Parsons’ Attorney Michael Judd Participates as Panelist at First Amendment Society Event
Employment Law Update, March 28, 2024