Robert J. Hingula represents employers in complex employment litigation, with a focus on wage and hour class and collective actions. Clients rely on Robert for strategic counsel in high-exposure disputes involving compensation practices and workforce policies.
Robert regularly defends employers in claims arising under federal and state wage and hour laws, including allegations related to misclassification of exempt employees, unpaid overtime, regular rate calculations and other pay practices. He represents clients in state and federal courts and before state and federal administrative agencies. Robert also advises employers on compliance strategies designed to reduce litigation risk.
In addition to wage and hour matters, Robert handles claims involving discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination and restrictive covenants. He also advises employers on employment policies, investigations and training initiatives.
Robert has represented clients in multiple industries including financial institutions, mortgage companies, the hospitality/restaurant industry, cable installation companies, waste and disposal companies, health care industry, trucking companies, home security companies, maintenance companies and educational institutions.
Education
- University of Kansas (J.D., 2004)
- University of Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy, Staff Member
- University of Kansas (B.A., 2001)
- with honors; Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admission
- New York, 2017
- Kansas, 2005
- Missouri, 2004
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, District of Kansas, 2005
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri, 2006
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 2007
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, 2009
- U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit, 2015
- U.S. District Court, District of Colorado, 2018
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2019
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 2020
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York, 2020
- U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska, 2020
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 2023
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, 2025
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, 2025
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, 2025
Professional Affiliations
- The Missouri Bar
- Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association
- Federal Court Advocates
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- Federal Bar Council
- Kansas School Attorneys' Association
- Heartland Labor & Employment Institute
- Board Member
- Sunflower House
- Board Member
- Lion Heart Volunteer Award Recipient - 2018
- Starlight Theater
- Board Member
Recognition
- Ranked in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Labor & Employment, Missouri: Kansas City & Surrounds, 2025
- Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® for:
- Employment Law - Management, 2022-2026
- Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2024-2026
- Named "Litigation Star" by Benchmark Litigation, 2020-2026
- Selected for inclusion in “Super Lawyers” by Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers, 2013-2021
- Selected for inclusion in "Rising Stars" by Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2012
- Judicial Law Clerk to The Honorable Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. - Chief Judge, U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
- Judicial Extern to The Honorable David Waxse - Federal Magistrate, U.S. District Court, District of Kansas
