KATHERINE A. ROBERTS is the co-chair of Sidley’s Labor, Employment and Immigration group and a partner in Sidley’s Los Angeles office. She also serves on the firm’s COVID-19 Task Force. Kate’s experience extends to all aspects of employment litigation, counseling and labor relations. She routinely handles wage and hour class and collective actions involving state and federal overtime exemptions, meal and rest period claims and claims under the California Private Attorney General Act (PAGA). Kate also defends employers against claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, failure to accommodate and other causes of action arising under state and federal law. Kate partners with her clients to complete efficient, timely factual investigations and legal evaluations to help them make informed decisions about litigation strategy and deployment of resources.
Kate has extensive experience representing management in traditional labor matters arising under the National Labor Relations Act including negotiating and administering complex collective bargaining agreements, guiding employers targeted by strikes and other job actions, handling union representation and decertification elections, advising clients on union avoidance, defending employers against unfair labor practices and representing management in grievance arbitrations. In addition, she regularly counsels healthcare, waste/recycling, retail, media and performing arts clients on labor relations issues.
Kate serves as chair for the Committee on Retention and Promotion of Women of Sidley’s Greater Los Angeles offices. She also is former Diversity Committee chair of Sidley’s Greater Los Angeles offices and remains an active member of the committee.
Prior to law school, Kate was a reporter and editor for The Associated Press. She earned her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School and both a B.S. and M.S. from Northwestern University.