Overview
Katherine is an associate in the Public Law and Labor and Employment Departments at Richards, Watson & Gershon. She advises local governments and other public agencies on a variety of government law issues. Her practice includes advising clients on first amendment issues, labor and employment, conducing investigations, public records issues, agency formation (including nonprofits), conflicts of interest, land use and other legal issues facing public agencies. She also assists staff with drafting and reviewing ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and staff reports. Katherine provides mandatory sexual harassment training to supervisory and non-supervisory employees.
Professional Experience
Prior to joining RWG, Katherine served as an associate advising school districts throughout California. As an education associate, Katherine advised school districts on various labor and employment, and facilities and business issues. She conducted internal investigations regarding discrimination claims within departments in Los Angeles County. Additionally, she represented school districts on issues including employment discrimination litigation, layoffs, DIR claims, COVID-19 related issues, drafting and implementing personnel policies (including step increases, transgender policies), discrimination and harassment prevention, reasonable accommodation and the interactive process, discipline and termination. She gained invaluable experience with the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Labor Compliance Program where she assisted in the audit and interview process. She advised clients on various land use issues including CEQA, Surplus Land Act, lease agreements, purchase and sale agreements, joint use agreements and constitutional issues on use of religious facilities for public purposes.
Katherine also has prior experience in the private sector primarily working in media and entertainment law.
Honors & Awards
Southern University Law Center
SULC Law Review, Senior Editor
SULC Moot Court Board, Co-Chair
CALI AWARD: Legal Writing & Analysis I
CALI AWARD: Legal Writing & Analysis II
Top Brief, Legal Writing and Analysis II
Simmons Scholarship for Best Brief out of all Legal Writing Classes
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Outstanding Graduate for the Political Science Department
University Honors Program
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Top Returning Oralist at UL Lafayette Spring Moot
Court Invitational
Octa-finalist at Texas A&M Regional Moot Court Competition (sweet 16)
Who’s Who Among Students
Greek Hall of Fame (Ragin’ Recognition)
Sigma Alpha Pi (presidential leadership award)
Professional and Community Affiliations
Member and Delegate, Los Angeles County Bar Association
Member, International Municipal Lawyers Association
Volunteer, Silver Lake Reservoir Conservancy
Volunteer, Hang Out Do Good
Volunteer, Louisiana Bar Association Disaster Hotline
News
Presentations
Publications
Practice Areas
Education
LL.M., University of California, Los Angeles School of Law
J.D., Southern University Law Center
B.A., University of Louisiana at Lafayette