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 is recognized by Chambers USA for her work in Labor & Employment - California (2021–2022), with clients stating that she “is that rare combination of a deep understanding of complex collective bargaining agreements and individual HR issues” and that her “knowledge of the underlying business environment field is impressive, and it adds value to the legal advice provided (2022). Kate was profiled in the Daily Journal’s 2022 “Top Labor and Employment Lawyers” supplement, an annual list recognizing California lawyers for their work on significant cases, investigations, and transactions that had an impact on the larger world of labor and employment or the development of law. She has also been named to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Thriving in Their 40s” list for 2021.
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.