Owner, Member
Attorney Overview
Bob Ortbals is the founder of Gateway Employment Law and represents employees throughout the St. Louis Metro area and Metro East Illinois in workplace disputes involving unlawful treatment by employers. His practice focuses on helping workers assert their rights when they have been wrongfully terminated, discriminated against, harassed, retaliated against, or otherwise treated unlawfully in the workplace.
Bob founded Gateway Employment Law to advocate for employees facing serious workplace challenges and to help them pursue meaningful outcomes under federal and state employment laws. He represents individuals across the St. Louis region who are seeking legal guidance and representation against their employers.
Practice Focus
Bob represents employees in a wide range of employment law matters, including:
– Wrongful termination
– Workplace discrimination
– Sexual harassment
– Retaliation for reporting workplace misconduct
– Unpaid wages and wage-and-hour violations
– Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) violations
– Whistleblower retaliation
– Noncompete and restrictive covenant disputes
His practice focuses on complex workplace litigation and helping employees navigate disputes involving unlawful employment practices.
Experience in Employment Litigation
Before founding Gateway Employment Law, Bob spent nearly 20 years representing employers at some of the largest labor and employment law firms in the United States. During that time, he represented companies ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to small businesses and startups in complex employment litigation and workplace disputes.
Bob handled matters involving nearly every type of employment claim, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage-and-hour violations, family and medical leave disputes, whistleblower claims, and restrictive covenant litigation. His experience spans both federal and state employment law matters and includes litigation, negotiation, and dispute resolution.
Strategic Advantage for Employees
Bob’s extensive experience representing employers gives him a unique perspective when advocating for employees. Having spent years defending companies in employment disputes, he understands the strategies employers use to challenge employee claims and the legal approaches businesses rely on to defend workplace lawsuits.
This background provides insight into how companies evaluate employment claims, assess litigation risk, and approach settlement negotiations. Bob uses this knowledge to develop targeted legal strategies designed to help employees pursue accountability and achieve meaningful results.
Experience With Disability Discrimination and ADA Claims
A significant portion of Bob’s legal experience involves disability discrimination and failure-to-accommodate claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar state laws.
These cases often involve complex legal and medical issues, including whether an employee was able to perform the essential functions of their job and whether the employer fulfilled its obligation to provide reasonable accommodations. Successfully litigating these matters frequently requires careful analysis of medical records, workplace policies, and expert testimony.
Employment Law Representation in the St. Louis Region
Bob represents employees throughout the St. Louis Metro area and surrounding communities, including St. Louis, Clayton, Chesterfield, St. Charles, and Metro East Illinois. His practice focuses on helping workers seek justice when employers violate federal or state employment laws.
Professional Recognition
Bob has been recognized for his work in employment litigation, including:
– The Best Lawyers in America – Litigation: Labor and Employment (2024–2025)
– Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers Rising Star (2014–2018)
Contact Bob Ortbals
Employees who believe their workplace rights have been violated may benefit from speaking with an experienced employment lawyer. Bob works with individuals across the St. Louis region who are facing wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, and other unlawful workplace practices.
Contact Gateway Employment Law to learn more about your legal options and determine the best path forward.