Kathryn T. McGuigan provides advice and counsel and litigation defense to companies in all aspects of employment law. She represents employers in US state and federal trial and appellate courts, and before federal and state administrative agencies. She focuses on wage and hour class and collective actions as well as single-plaintiff wrongful termination and discrimination claims. Kate’s counseling includes all areas of human resources management. She also speaks regularly on a wide range of employment topics.
Not only does Kate defend employers in employment disputes, clients turn to her for help in avoiding litigation, for counseling and training, and for help in drafting, implementing, and administering policies and procedures.
Kate has a broad background in corporate administration and human resources. Before pursuing her law degree, she enjoyed an extensive career in the food service industry where she was instrumental in the development and startup of a national mall-based, multiconcept restaurant company. Kate also served as vice president of administration for an international restaurant chain. Her experience includes managing all administrative functions, including human resources, employment and customer claims, litigation, customer service and training, crisis management, risk management, and a Bermuda subsidiary.
Kate serves on the Morgan Lewis Los Angeles office’s Pro Bono Committee, volunteers as a guardian ad litem for Public Counsel’s Children’s Rights Project, and works with the Alliance for Children’s Rights.
Next Generation Partner, Labor and employment: Workplace and employment counseling, The Legal 500 US (2021–2024)
Recommended, Labor and employment: Workplace and employment counseling, The Legal 500 US (2020)
Member, Practice Group of the Year, Employment, Law360 (2017, 2019)
Finalist, The Recorder’s Litigation Department of the Year – Labor and Employment (2013)
Recognized, Southern California Super Lawyer (2016–2018)
Recognized, "Rising Star," Southern California Super Lawyers (2012–2014)
Member, Editorial Board for Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine
Member, American Bar Association
Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
Member, Southern California Irish-American Bar Association
Member, Society for Human Resources Management
Member, Professionals in Human Resources Association