Patrick McGuiness

Patrick McGuiness is a founding attorney at Zlimen & McGuiness PLLC who brings practical business experience to every matter he handles. With more than 15 years of experience working in the Green Industry, Patrick’s knowledge and insight are invaluable when drafting construction and maintenance contracts. With small business owners in mind, Patrick crafts cost effective solutions for all of his clients

Patrick’s practice includes many facets of employment and human resources law, including advising businesses on overtime compliance, custom drafting of employee handbooks, defending Department of Labor Audits, and assisting with other regulatory compliance issues.

Patrick is a sought after speaker for many national green industry organizations. He has had numerous articles published in The Scoop, Tree Care Industry Magazine, Snow Business Magazine, and Turf Magazine.

Additional Experience

Prior to becoming an attorney, Patrick owned a landscaping installation company for over 15 years. He is also involved in a variety of activities and organizations around the Twin Cities.

• Adjunct Representation Professor at William Mitchell College of Law
• Captain, Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve
• Director on the Hiway Federal Credit Union Board of Directors
• Director on the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association Board of Directors

Honors and Recognition

• 2010 Recipient of the Todd Bachman Award for Innovation in Horticultural Business presented by the MNLA Foundation and the University of Minnesota
• 2012 One of Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans, presented by the Minnesota Jaycees

Publications

• Regular contributions to multiple journals and magazines on employment law
• Tree Care Industry Magazine: Circulation of over 24,000 involved in America’s tree care industry
• Turf Magazine: Circulation of over 70,000 businesses and individuals across North America
• Snow Business: Circulation of over 30,000 businesses and individuals across North America
• The Scoop: Published column in each monthly edition, with over 35 articles published

Teaching Experience

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION SEMINARS:

Businesses Responsibilities and Servicemembers’ Rights:

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act & The Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act

-William Mitchell Alumni CLE Series, November 2013

 

Overlooked Overtime Provisions in the Fair Labor Standards Act

-William Mitchell Alumni CLE Series, March 2012

 

Employee, Subcontractor or Independent Contractor: Issues and Consequences Related to Worker Misclassification

-William Mitchell Alumni CLE Series, December 2011

 

ADDITIONAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

Liability and Your Facility

-National Sports Turf Managers Association Conference, San Antonio, TX January 2014

 

The Affordable Care Act and Your Business

-Northern Green Expo, Minneapolis Convention Center, January 2014

Hiring Safety Conscious Employees

-Tree Care Industry Association Expo, Charlotte, NC November 2013

 

How to Handle Problem Employees

-Tree Care Industry Association Expo, Charlotte, NC November 2013

 

Contracts, Say What You Will Do and Do What You Say

-Snow & Ice Management Association Symposium, Minneapolis, MN June 2013

 

The Troubles of Northern Ireland – the 1970’s Through Today

-University of Virginia - Semester at Sea Enrichment Voyages May 2013

 

Political Street Art of Northern Ireland

-University of Virginia - Semester at Sea Enrichment Voyages May 2013

 

The Role of Lawyers in Democracy in Northern Ireland

-University of Virginia - Semester at Sea Enrichment Voyages May 2013

 

The Affordable Care Act – How it Will Effect Small Businesses

-North Dakota Nursery & Greenhouse Association Convention January 2013

 

How to Hire the Best… But Know How to Fire Them, Just in Case

-National Sports Turf Managers Association Conference & Exhibition, Daytona Beach FL January 2013

 

Hiring the Right Person

-National Sports Turf Managers Association Conference & Exhibition, Daytona Beach FL January 2013

 

The Green Industry Guide to Employee Handbooks

-Northern Green Expo, Minneapolis Convention Center January 2013

 

How to Hire the Best & Brightest for Your Facility

-MN Parks & Sports Turf Managers Association Spring Workshop March 2012

 

Human Resources Part I: A How to Guide to Hiring Employees

-Northern Green Expo, Minneapolis Convention Center January 2012

 

Human Resources Part II: How to Handle Problem Employees

-Northern Green Expo, Minneapolis Convention Center January 2012

 

The Fluctuating Work Week: A Compliant Compensation Plan for Green Industry Employees

-Gertens Spring Education Day March 2011

-Hedberg Aggregates Spring Education Day March 2011

 

Tight Ship or Leaky Boat: Federal Labor Law for the Green Industry

-North Dakota Nursery & Greenhouse Association Convention February 2011

 

Too Many Laws, Rules and Regulations… I Just Want to Work!

-Northern Green Expo, Minneapolis Convention Center January 2011

 

Green Industry Law: What You Need to Know Before Starting a Green Industry Business

-Hennepin County Technical College Landscaping Program March 2010

-Dakota County Technical College Landscaping Program February 2010

 

What Happens During a Federal Department of Labor Audit?

-Gertens Spring Education Day March 2010

-Hedberg Aggregates Spring Education Day March 2010

-JRK Seed & Turf Education Day February 2010

 

Contracts and Mechanic’s Liens

-Northern Green Expo, Minneapolis Convention Center January 2010

 

Interests

In addition to practicing law, Patrick is an avid traveler having visited more than 30 countries via foot, bicycle, canoe, moped, car, bus, train, plane, horse, camel, and elephant. He also enjoys running, cycling, and anything that gets him outside to enjoy the world.