Jack R. Wallace

Jack is an experienced litigator of labor and employment cases, with experience defending employers against nearly every type of employment-related lawsuit one can think of, from small scale breach of contract actions to large multi-party discrimination and retaliation cases, as well as non-competition and trade secret lawsuits, constitutional claims and tort claims. Jack is well versed in class and collective action litigation, and has successfully represented clients in class and collective actions arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act. Jack also represents employers before state and federal enforcement agencies, including the handling of wage and hour investigations and audits conducted by the United States Department of Labor and discrimination investigations conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Jack is an experienced speaker and presenter on labor and employment law topics for HR professionals and business owners. His goal is always to provide practical advice by distilling complex or confusing areas of the law to their essence. And sometimes he likes to just stop and poke fun at the courts and enforcement agencies when they simply don't make any sense.

Previously based out of Jacksonville, Florida and New York City, Jack is now based out of Constangy's Kansas City office.

• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^® for Litigation - Labor and Employment (2024)

• “Hiring and Terminating Employees in the Current Economy,” Sterling Education Services, Topeka, Kansas, September 29, 2015
• “Legal and Legislative Update”, SHRM Jayhawk Chapter, Lawrence, Kansas, August 11, 2015
• “FLSA Wage and Hour Crackdown,” Sterling Education Services, Kansas City, Kansas, March 24, 2015
• “Employment Law Update: Year in Review and What’s Ahead,” Human Resources Association of Central Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, September 9, 2014
• “Tips for I-9 Compliance, ICE Audits and Avoiding Liability,” Human Resource Management Network, Manhattan, Kansas, August 20, 2014
• “Employment Law: 2013 and Beyond,” Human Resources Management Association of Northwest Missouri, St. Joseph, Missouri, December 17, 2013
• “Up to Date with the FMLA: 2013 Changes and Development,” MOSERS Benefits U., Lake Ozark, Missouri, September 5, 2013
• “Kansas Law Update,” Central Kansas SHRM, McPherson, Kansas, August 8, 2013
• “Important Considerations for Layoffs,” National Business Institute – Overland Park, Kansas, November 14, 2012
• “Privacy and Social Media in the Workplace,” Society for Human Resource Management – Topeka, Kansas Chapter, July 26, 2012
• “FLSA Issues in Small to Medium Sized Businesses,” National Business Institute – Overland Park, Kansas, June 20, 2012
• “The Proper Food Groups: Classifying Employees Under the FLSA,” 2012 Constangy Labor and Employment Law Workshop, St. Augustine, Florida, March 15, 2012
• “Staying Under Budget: Employment Law Issues in Lean Times,” 2011 Constangy Labor and Employment Law Workshop, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, March 17, 2011
• Building the Dream Team: Hiring & Pre-Employment Issues,” 2010 Constangy Labor and Employment Law Workshop, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, March 18, 2010

Before I Was An Attorney

I’ve had lots of interesting jobs other than practicing law.  My first real paying job was selling fruits and vegetables in Quincy Market in Boston at the age of 13.  I spent my teen years working as a crewperson and then shift manager at a popular fast food chain restaurant.  I’ve also worked as a newspaper delivery man, a teaching assistant (Economics), a tutor, an office runner, a cubicle builder, and I spent several years as an actor performing in theatre in Florida and New York.

Where I’m From

Due to having parents who liked to move around a lot, I attended eleven different schools during my K-12 education.  However, I grew up mostly in the Boston area.  So if you had to pick one place where I’m “from,” that would be it.

What I Love About Practicing Law

The intellectual challenge of practicing law has been a constant attraction for me.   I also love that practicing law, at bottom, involves helping people.  It could be helping people solve problems, protecting people against unfair charges, or helping people protect their rights.  And yes, businesses and business owners count as “people.”

What’s Usually On Television When I’m Home

If it’s not a good movie or true crime show, it’s a sporting event.  Football (college and pro), basketball, hockey, soccer or baseball.  Sometimes golf or tennis.  I can enjoy watching just about every type of competitive endeavor.