Sydney N. Paquette

Experience

Sydney is a litigation attorney who assists companies in navigating the evolving landscape of employment and workplace laws and regulations. She represents companies in their employment-related matters, advising them on compliance and dispute resolution. Sydney also has significant experience conducting workplace investigations, representing school districts and government agencies, and defending companies large and small against allegations of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and other violations of labor laws and regulations.

Sydney was a prosecutor for 17 years before entering private practice. She leverages her extensive courtroom experience to advocate for clients in litigation. Across her career, Sydney has litigated over 50 jury trials in state and federal court as a prosecutor and in private practice representing plaintiffs and defendants in civil employment matters. This experience allows clients to leverage an experienced courtroom attorney in employment and workplace matters as well as receiving representation in criminal related matters.

Areas of Practice

• Litigation
• Employment & Workplace
• Higher Education
• Criminal Defense & Compliance Litigation

Areas of Experience

• Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Dispute Resolution: Mediation, Arbitration, and Litigation
• Employment Agreements
• Employment Policies
• Equal Pay Act (EPA)
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Harrassment
• Internal Investigations
• Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
• Regulatory Investigations
• Restrictive Covenants (Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation)
• Retaliation
• Severance Agreements
• Termination of Employment
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX)

Activities and Memberships

• The Missouri Bar Association
• Kansas Bar Association
• The Johnson County Bar Association
• Johnson County Bar Foundation Trustee and President-elect, 2027
• Association of Women Lawyers
• Country Club Christian Church
• Jackson County CASA Volunteer, 2010-2016

Honors and Recognitions

• Selected to Best Lawyers for Transportation Law, 2027
• Selected to “20 to Know in Legal” by the Kansas City Business Journal, 2025
• Missouri Lawyers Media Up & Coming Award, 2024