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Donna V. Pryor

Donna V. Pryor

Partner
Overview Experience Case Studies
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Outside the Office Community Leadership
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“I have worked with Donna for the past 15 years. During that time, Donna’s experience and expertise have been an asset to our company to minimize our risk and liabilities with MSHA. Her professionalism and willingness to be there for us is well appreciated by our management team.”

Corporate Safety Manager, Mining Company

Overview

When serious safety or health mishaps strike for Donna’s multinational mining, manufacturing and heavy-industry clients, she is on the scene within 24 hours, immediately available to assist.

Donna efficiently gathers evidence, works with federal regulators and directs public relations efforts. Her high-level 24/7 client service, deep knowledge of federal regulations and previous public relations experience provide great value for clients dealing with unexpected and potentially costly matters.

In addition to providing guidance and reassurance in times of crisis, Donna offers training and regulatory insights that help the firm's clients — many of whom she considers close friends — avoid problems.

An accomplished litigator, Donna also represents clients in defending whistleblower complaints and contesting safety citations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

Donna’s focus on clients is also a perfect fit for the firm’s experienced Cannabis team, where she guides those in the cannabis and industrial hemp industry through the fast pace of new opportunities and changing regulations.

“I have worked with Donna for the past 15 years. During that time, Donna’s experience and expertise have been an asset to our company to minimize our risk and liabilities with MSHA. Her professionalism and willingness to be there for us is well appreciated by our management team.”

Corporate Safety Manager, Mining Company

Industry

Energy & Natural Resources 

Services

Cannabis 
HR Consultation & Training 
Labor & Employment 
Mining & Minerals 
Workplace Safety & Health 

Recognition

  • Who’s Who in Energy, Denver Business Journal, 2017-2018
  • Colorado Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2012

Education

  • J.D., Tulane University Law School
    • cum laude
  • B.A., Hofstra University

Admissions

  • Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • New York

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, Safety and Health Special Institute, Co-Chair, 2017-present
  • Tulane Alumni Association
Featured Experience

Whistleblower Complaint Dismissed Against Mining Company

Donna successfully challenged a discrimination complaint that the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) filed against a mining company on behalf of an employee who claimed he was dismissed because of whistleblowing activities. Donna presented evidence that the miner’s termination was not motivated by his “protected activity” and that he was rightfully dismissed after violating company safety rules. As a result, the administrative law judge denied the complaint and dismissed the proceeding. The decision was important because it supported the mining company’s rights to enforce its safety and employment policies. 

Additional Experience
  • Served as key member of the firm's COVID-19 response team, tracking rapidly changing state-by-state rules, restrictions and orders, and developing guidance on, among other matters, essential business designations.
  • Successfully defended a client at hearing, getting an MSHA impeding citation vacated in an enforcement action.
  • After a one day hearing, successfully got MSHA citation vacated by Administrative Law Judge.
  • Negotiated reduced citations and penalties in numerous settlements in MSHA and OSHA matters.
  • Successfully defended mining clients in 110c investigations, where managers are investigated for personal liability under the Mine Act.
  • Defended Arizona-based mine in costly and repeated MSHA citations alleging defective steering linkage on a haul truck. MSHA vacated citation after truck manufacturer representative presented expert testimony.
Blog | October 30, 2024
OSHA Updates Inspection Guidance for Meat Industry
Blog | September 16, 2024
OSHA Offices in Colorado Implement New Local Emphasis Program for the Cannabis Industry
Blog | September 05, 2024
OSHA Publishes New Heat Safety Standard
Blog | July 15, 2024
Understanding OSHA's Proposed Heat Safety Regulations
Blog | June 24, 2024
OSHA Heat Standard Heads to White House for Review
Blog | June 18, 2024
MSHA Announces Stakeholder Meetings Regarding New Silica Rule
Blog | June 05, 2024
OSHA's Revised Hazard Communication Standard Creates New Requirements for Labeling, Classification, and SDS Access
Blog | April 05, 2024
MSHA Posts Template for Compliance with Surface Mobile Equipment Rule
Blog | April 04, 2024
OSHA Finalizes Inspection Walkaround Rule
Blog | February 12, 2024
OSHA Injury and Illness Data Submission Due March 2, 2024
Blog | January 25, 2024
OSHA Announces Preference for Safety Helmets over Hard Hats
Blog | January 08, 2024
OSHA to Replace Existing Fire Brigades Standard with Broad Emergency Response Rule
Blog | December 20, 2023
MSHA Announces Final Rule on Surface Mobile Equipment
Blog | December 19, 2023
OSHA 2023 Fall Regulatory Agenda Released
Blog | November 16, 2023
Recent Updates on OSHA Policies and Rulemaking
Blog | August 30, 2023
OSHA Announces Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Authorized Employee Representation During Inspections
Blog | July 03, 2023
MSHA Releases Proposed Silica Rule
Blog | May 17, 2023
OSHA Announces National Emphasis Program to Prevent and Reduce Workplace Falls
Blog | March 15, 2023
OSHA Continues to Pursue Healthcare Workplace Violence Rule
Blog | March 10, 2023
MSHA to Renew Practice of Publicizing Mines Targeted for Impact Inspections
Blog | February 06, 2023
New OSHA Enforcement Guidance to Expand Issuance of Instance-By-Instance Citations
Blog | January 20, 2023
Update on Possible OSHA Prevention of Violence in Healthcare and Social Assistance Rule
Blog | January 17, 2023
OSHA Pursues Potential Standard for Prevention of Workplace Violence in Healthcare and Social Assistance and Unions Urge Enhancements to Final COVID-19 Safety Standard for Healthcare Workplace
Blog | January 11, 2023
OMB Releases Regulatory Agenda for Fall 2022 for OSHA/MSHA/DOL
Blog | October 24, 2022
OSHA Investigates Cannabis Cultivation Facilities for Respiratory Hazards
Blog | June 09, 2022
MSHA Announces New Silica Enforcement Initiative
Blog | May 31, 2022
MSHA Posts Information for Stakeholders on the Enhanced Enforcement Program
Blog | May 10, 2022
OSHA Hosts Stakeholder Meeting on Heat-Related Hazard
Blog | April 28, 2022
MSHA Begins New Enhanced Enforcement Program in Coal and Metal/Nonmetal
Articles | April 07, 2022
Missouri Lawyers Media: Commentary: OSHA re-opens comment period and schedules public hearing on ETS – Occupational Exposure to COVID-19 (log-in required)
Blog | April 06, 2022
OSHA Enforcement Update: New OSHA Internal Memorandum Provides Enforcement Guidance on Electronic Submission of Injury and Illness Records
Blog | March 31, 2022
Senate Confirms Christopher Williamson to Lead MSHA
Blog | March 25, 2022
OSHA Re-opens Comment Period and Schedules Public Hearing on ETS – Occupational Exposure to COVID-19
Blog | March 17, 2022
MSHA Announces New Public Education Campaign
Blog | November 18, 2021
Stay Prepared: Create Your Customized COVID-19 Policy
Blog | November 15, 2021
President Biden Nominates New Assistant Secretary at MSHA
Blog | November 08, 2021
OSHA Issues COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Employers of 100 or More Employees, No Mandate from MSHA
Legal Updates | November 04, 2021
OSHA Issues COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Employers of 100 or More Employees
Blog | November 04, 2021
OSHA Issues COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Employers of 100 or More Employees
Legal Updates | August 17, 2021
Delta Variant: New OSHA Guidance to Mitigate COVID-19 in the Workplace
Legal Updates | June 11, 2021
OSHA Issues Federal COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard
Blog | May 17, 2021
What Does the New CDC Guidance Regarding Masks Mean for Employers?
Legal Updates | May 12, 2021
The Labor Law Insider: The Biden Administration - Expected Changes at the Department of Labor
Legal Updates | April 28, 2021
OSHA Update: Recording Vaccine Reactions at Worksites and COVID-19 ETS Budget Draft
Blog | April 28, 2021
OSHA Issues Guidance: Adverse Vaccine Reactions Are Recordable on OSHA Logs and Submits draft of COVID-19 ETS to OIRA for Review
Blog | April 12, 2021
Doug Parker, Chief of Cal OSHA, Nominated to Lead OSHA
Legal Updates | March 17, 2021
OSHA Issues NEP and Updated Enforcement Response Plan to Combat Workplace Exposure to COVID-19
Blog | March 11, 2021
MSHA Announces New Guidelines on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19
Blog | January 29, 2021
OSHA Posts New Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace
Blog | January 22, 2021
President Biden Orders OSHA to Release New COVID-19 Guidance
Articles | December 18, 2020
Rock Products: Vaccines in the Workplace – An Employer's Dilemma
Articles | October 13, 2020
Corporate Compliance Insights: California to Expand Cal/OSHA Authority in COVID-19 Mitigation
Legal Updates | September 28, 2020
California to Expand Cal/OSHA Authority in COVID-19 Mitigation Beginning January 2021
Legal Updates | April 13, 2020
"Essential Services" under Executive Order GA-14
Articles | March 31, 2020
Coal Age Legally Speaking: Responsibly Responding to COVID-19
Articles | February 14, 2020
EHSToday: What Can Employers do to Prepare for Coronavirus?
Blog | February 10, 2020
Coronavirus is not for everyone: What should employers do?
Blog | January 02, 2020
With a little help from my friends
Seminars | September 17 - 19, 2024
2024 Alternative Case Resolution Workshop
Speaking Engagements | May 7, 2024
Speaker, "Updates on MSHA Caselaw," Essential Minerals Association's 2024 Annual Conference
Webinar | November 2, 2023
2023 Labor & Employment Legal Updates: Colorado Program
Seminars | September 12 - 14, 2023
2023 Alternative Case Resolution Workshop: Understanding MSHA Litigation
Speaking Engagements | October 26, 2021
Speaker, "How to Conference an MSHA Citation", Mine Safety & Health Conference
Speaking Engagements | September 19 - 23, 2021
Speaker, IMA-NA 2021 Meeting
Speaking Engagements | September 8 - 11, 2021
Speaker, Nevada Mining Association Convention
Webinar | February 2021
What Mining Companies Should Expect from MSHA Under a Biden Administration
Webinar | September 2020
Labor & Employment Virtual Series - National Program
Media Mentions | September 24, 2021
Law360 Pulse: Will Biden Vax Mandates Prompt Run On Employment Attys? (log-in required)
Outside the Office

Donna spends much of her off-hours time with her husband and two children, engaged in everything from soccer games to karate practice, hiking and skiing.

Community Leadership

Donna volunteers for the Colorado Lawyers Committee, working with the Hate Crimes Education Task Force to open conversations at local schools through the use of mock trials.

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© 2024 Husch Blackwell LLP. All rights reserved
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
Past results afford no guarantee of future results. Every case is different and must be judged on its own merits.
Link to Homepage
People Capabilities Locations Careers Thought Leadership Our FirmContact Us
Firm InstagramFirm TwitterFirm LinkedInFirm FacebookFirm YouTubeFirm TikTok
Client Payment Portal
Terms of Use Privacy Policy Cookie Policy California Collection Notice Your Privacy Choices California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Opt-Out Icon Transparency in Coverage Rule
© 2024 Husch Blackwell LLP. All rights reserved
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
Past results afford no guarantee of future results. Every case is different and must be judged on its own merits.