Hannesson Murphy

Hans Murphy counsels and advises employers nationwide in virtually all aspects of managing their employment relationship with their workforce. Practical by nature, Hans identifies what each client wants to achieve, and then devises a balanced and actionable plan that suits their distinct business and operational imperatives.

Hans negotiates and drafts employment agreements, confidentiality agreements, and non-competition and non-solicitation agreements. He advises on the creation and maintenance of effective policies and procedures to govern the workplace, as well as counsels employers with respect to disciplining and terminating employees, reductions in force, and ensuring that group terminations comply with the requirements of federal statutes and regulations. He also defends employers against contract, discrimination, harassment and wrongful discharge claims.

Hans has helped employers with a wide variety of legal matters, including claims involving breach of contract, defamation, discrimination, harassment and wrongful discharge. He has advocated employer positions in connection with privately negotiated settlements, arbitration proceedings and hearings, administrative proceedings, class and collective actions, and litigated claims in state and federal courts across the country, from the filing of a claim through trial and on appeal.

A featured speaker and educator, Hans regularly conducts trainings for employers on ways to improve their employment practices, and frequently presents at seminars for groups such as the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Corporate Counsel and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Hans has presented on such topics as hiring and firing employees in Indiana; protection of a company’s intellectual property, trade secrets and confidential information; how the Affordable Health Care Act will affect employers; steps for effectively handling class action litigation; and properly classifying workers as independent contractors.

In the last several years, Hans has provided legal counsel pertaining to non-competition and trade secrets issues at the local, regional and national levels. He frequently lectures on the subject of 50-State Non-compete Enforcement, to assist employers with making sense of the different rules and regulations that apply in this area from state to state. Hans serves as the editor for the Practical Law Company’s resources on Indiana non-compete laws and trade secrets. He also has published several articles for the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana (DTCI) on non-compete enforcement, as well as a variety of other topics, and is a frequent contributor to the firm’s employment blog, BTCurrents. Additionally, Hans has co-authored several guides for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, including the current editions of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Indiana Employer’s Guide to Monitoring Electronic Technology in the Workplace and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Indiana Guide to Hiring and Firing.

Hans is about cutting to the chase when it comes to what his clients need to succeed. He doesn’t believe in wasting time, money or resources and focuses on advice and actions that diffuse stress and resolve issues. On many occasions, he protects his client’s reputation and bottom line by keeping them out of court. However, in the event litigation should ensue, he is dedicated to serving as a formidable advocate.

Prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg, Hans was an attorney in the civil litigation practice of a Miami, Florida, commercial law firm, practicing in general civil litigation, including admiralty law, medical malpractice, products liability, commercial liability, insurance defense, personal injury and employment. Hans has been involved in much more than just employment disputes, which helps him to serve as a well-rounded adviser today.