Laura J. Thalacker

Laura J. Thalacker is a founding member of Hartwell Thalacker, Ltd. in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she brings over 30 years of experience in employment law and business litigation. She advises and defends employers across Nevada and nationally on complex workplace matters, including HR compliance, litigation, and strategic risk management.

Laura earned her Juris Doctor with high distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law and her B.A. summa cum laude from Wartburg College. During law school, she served as Senior Editor of the Iowa Law Review and was a member of the Chicago Moot Court Team. Her academic excellence paved the way for a distinguished legal career focused on protecting employers and promoting compliance.

Laura is certified as a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR), SPHR, and SHRM-SCP. She is also a certified ATIXA Title IX Investigator and serves employers in workplace investigations, policy development, wage and hour compliance, non-compete enforcement, and litigation defense. Her preventative approach helps businesses mitigate risk before it leads to costly legal disputes.

Prior to co-founding Hartwell Thalacker in 2014, Laura spent over 17 years at Nevada’s largest law firm, Lionel Sawyer & Collins, where she rose to partner in the litigation department. Her experience includes defending claims under Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, and state employment laws, as well as employment-related torts and trade secret violations.

Licensed in Nevada since 2000, Laura J. Thalacker is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and an active member of the Southern Nevada Association of Women Attorneys and the Clark County Bar Association. Her leadership and dedication have earned her the respect of both peers and clients.

Widely recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and Chambers USA, Laura continues to be a trusted advocate for employers navigating the evolving landscape of workplace law. She is known for her balanced counsel, proactive strategies, and unwavering commitment to client success.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Hartwell Thalacker, Ltd.
• Past Chairperson, State Bar of Nevada, Labor & Employment, Litigation Section
• Member, American Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section
• Member, Association of Workplace Investigators
• Member, Society for Human Resources Management
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation

Licensed State

• Nevada

Education

• University of Iowa College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Wartburg College
  BA in Political Science & Women’s Studies with Summa Cum Laude

Awards & Badges