Kathleen Grossman

Kathleen Grossman defends employers in a wide range of employment disputes involving both federal and state courts and administrative agencies, including claims for breach of restrictive covenant agreements, wage and hour violations, disability accommodations, and employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims. Kathleen also regularly assists in the defense of employers against claims regarding denial of equal access to facilities, services, websites, and related issues brought under Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and comparable state laws. Kathleen drafts and advises employers on various company policies, procedures and agreements covering a range of subject areas, including employment contracts, separation agreements, reductions in force, restrictive covenant agreements and employee handbooks.

• Drafted responsive pleadings and written discovery in federal court for claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and class and collective action minimum wage and overtime lawsuits
• Represented national oil and gas company in administrative claims process and lawsuit involving claims of disability discrimination and retaliation
• Represented international oil and gas company in collective action involving allegations of unpaid overtime and minimum wage violations under various state laws and federal law
• Represented offshore drilling company in administrative claims process involving allegations of race discrimination, religious discrimination and retaliation
• Represented substance abuse treatment facility in lawsuit involving claims of minimum wage and overtime violations under various state and federal laws
• Represented international hotel services provider in defending claims regarding equal access to facilities and services
• Provided advice and counsel regarding the enforceability of restrictive covenants, including confidentiality provisions, non-competition agreements, and customer and employee non-solicitation agreements under various state laws
• Advised clients regarding employee requests for reasonable accommodations under the ADA and the interactive process
• Provided counsel in regard to leave requirements under the FMLA, USERRA, and various state mandated leave laws, including bereavement leave, jury and witness duty leave, voting leave and crime victim leave, among others
• Advised clients on proper pay practices, employee classifications, and employee exemptions under the FLSA and various state law equivalents
• Drafted policies and employee handbooks covering subjects, including discrimination, harassment, leaves of absence, vacation and paid time off, meal and break periods, pay requirements, drug and alcohol testing, workplaces searches and inspections, background checks for hiring, weapons in the workplace, personnel files, employee privacy, internet and social media use, and use of company property
• Drafted and advised clients with respect to both individual separation and release agreements as well as larger reductions in force
• Provided advice and counsel with respect to COVID-19-related employment issues, including the effects of the Family First Coronavirus Response Act and various state law equivalents containing leave requirements associated with COVID-19