Lobbying Affiliate: MML&K Government Solutions
Photo of Cynthia L. Effinger

Cynthia L. Effinger

Co-Managing Member, Louisville Office

Honors & Awards

  • Kentucky Super Lawyers®, 2018-2023 (Employment & Labor)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, 2016-2025 (Litigation - Labor & Employment)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, 2019-2025 (Employment Law - Management)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, 2020-2025 (Labor Law: Management)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, 2021, 2025 (Employment Law - Individuals)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, "Lawyer of the Year", 2019, 2022 (Litigation - Labor and Employment)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, "Lawyer of the Year", 2024 (Employment Law - Individuals)
  • A. M. Best Client Recommended, 2018 

Admissions

Kentucky, 1998

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky, 2003

U.S. District Court Western District of Kentucky, 1998

U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2000

U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 2022

Education

University of Louisville School of Law, Louisville, Kentucky, J.D., 1998

University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, B.A., 1994

  • Major: History

Overview

Cindy Effinger knows that real businesses need real life, practical solutions for their employment-related legal issues. Answers to employers’ questions are rarely black and white—and they always depend on the unique needs of a particular business. As an employment law attorney, Cindy enjoys the challenge of navigating those gray areas. She takes the time to get to know the character and culture of each company she advises to provide counsel that is specifically tailored to their needs, and she crafts policies that are practical to implement, all while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

Cindy’s practice in Louisville, Kentucky, focuses primarily on employment litigation, involving matters such as business disputes, claims of discrimination and harassment, non-compete and other restrictive covenant agreements, wage and hour issues, and contract disputes. Prior to her work at McBrayer, Cindy represented plaintiffs in employment matters; her knowledge and experience from the other side of the table allows her to build even stronger cases and arguments for her clients today. Cindy also assists clients with audits and investigations performed by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Kentucky Labor Cabinet, helping employers to prepare accordingly and resolve any issues that may arise.

In addition to her litigation work, Cindy works with clients on crafting human resources policies and developing employee handbooks, from FMLA and leave issues to ADA accommodation requests to social media policies and beyond. She is also involved in resolving employee relations issues. Her background lends itself well to consulting with businesses with regard to client and competitor issues as well as disputes among business owners themselves.

Cindy understands that employment law evolves rapidly and that issues can arise at the drop of a hat. Clients can always count on her to stay up to speed and to be available with a quick response when an issue emerges unexpectedly. There is never a dull moment in Cindy’s practice—and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Professional Activities

Professional Activities

  • Kentucky Bar Association, Member, 2007-Present
  • Louisville Bar Association, (Law Day in the Schools Program), 2007-Present
  • Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company of Kentucky, Board of Directors, 2007-2009
  • Better Business Bureau of Louisville, Board of Directors, 2017

News & Insights

News

Seminars & Speaking Engagements

Articles

Blogs

Multimedia

Multimedia

  • Our Clients - ARGI
    Our Clients - ARGI
  • Employment Law - Keep Your Terminations from Being Terminal
    Employment Law - Keep Your Terminations from Being Terminal
Lexington, KYLouisville, KYFrankfort, KYFrankfort, KY: MML&K Government Solutions
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mcbrayer/media_files/video/ClientVideo-ARGI.mp4
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mcbrayer/media_files/video/EmploymentLaw-September2017-Square.mp4