At a time when fewer than 5% of all cases go to trial, Kathy has tried nearly 20 cases to jury verdict, most recently three discrimination/harassment/retaliation cases in Jefferson County (Louisville), Kentucky, each of which resulted in defense verdicts on all claims. She has successfully represented clients all around Kentucky, including jury trials in Jefferson, Fayette, Montgomery, Barren, Simpson and other Kentucky counties, as well as in federal courts in the Eastern and Western districts of Kentucky.

On behalf of employers large and small, she defends employment lawsuits that include claims of wrongful discharge, discrimination, hostile work environment and harassment, wage and hour violations, breach of contract, disability and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). In addition to her extensive trial record, she has successfully argued cases on appeal before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Kentucky Supreme Court and the Kentucky Court of Appeals. She regularly provides advice and counsel to employers on personnel policies and procedures, employee discipline, and harassment investigations. Kathy also develops and presents training for managers and HR professionals on hiring, firing, documenting performance issues, FMLA, disability accommodations, wage and hour laws, and a variety of employment-related topics. Her clients range from national and international corporations to smaller family-owned businesses.

Bar Admissions

Kentucky

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Education

• Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville (J.D., magna cum laude, 1990)
• Vanderbilt University (B.A., 1983)

• Peer Review Rated AV-Preeminent in Martindale-Hubbell since 2004
• Best Lawyers^®  
  • "Lawyer of the Year" in Louisville for Litigation - Labor and Employment (2017) 
  • Employment Law - Management (2022-2024)
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment (2022-2024)
• Kentucky Super Lawyers^® 
  • Labor and Employment (2021)
  • Top 25 female attorney 
• Chambers USA^®: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Labor & Employment 
• "Top Lawyers" by Louisville Magazine (2009 - present)
• Outstanding Volunteer for Human Resources by the American Red Cross, Louisville Area Chapter (2002)
• Mary Rudd Volunteer Service Award by the Center for Women and Families (1996)

• Kentucky Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section, past chair
• Louisville Bar Association
• ALFA International
  • Board of Directors, past member 
  • Labor and Employment Practice Group Steering Committee, past member
• Louisville Metro Government Ethics Commission
  • Member (2003 - 2007)
  • Chair (2007 - 2010)
• Louisville Police Administration Advisory Commission, member and chair (1994 - 1999)
• Sacred Heart Schools Board of Trustees (2012 - 2018)
  • Internal Affairs Committee (2012 - 2017)
  • External Affairs Committee (2017 - 2018)
  • Diversity Committee (2018 - present)
• The Speed Art Museum Human Resources Committee (2016 - 2018)