Z. Kathryn Branson

kbranson@littler.com
Call Z. Kathryn
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Katy Branson’s practice has evolved through her successful defense of employers in litigation, arbitration, and before various administrative agencies throughout Nevada. She excels at collaborating with clients to understand their goals, and thinks and acts strategically to realize those goals in partnership with them. Katy understands the effect that litigation has on clients’ business operations, and works hard to help clients navigate and manage the potential impact, including through attentive cost management.

Katy’s experience includes defending claims arising under:

  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
  • Section 1981
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
  • The Equal Pay Act (EPA)
  • Nevada anti-discrimination laws
  • Nevada wage and hour laws
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
  • The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)
  • Nevada Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act
  • Nevada’s Domestic Violence Leave Act
  • Federal Arbitration Act
  • Defend Trade Secrets Act
  • Nevada Uniform Trade Secrets Act
  • Nevada Industrial Insurance Act (workers’ compensation)
  • State common law and statutory claims such as wrongful discharge, constructive discharge, breach of contract, restrictive covenants, negligent retention, negligent hiring, and infliction of emotional distress

In addition to litigation, Katy provides counsel in matters of employee attendance, discipline, performance and involuntary termination, and conducts investigations – both proactively and in conjunction with administrative charges and investigations. She regularly conducts trainings for clients focused on topics including harassment, discrimination, retaliation and investigations.

Katy also serves as the Nevada coordinator and liaison for Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute (WPI). Katy focuses on Nevada state legislative and regulatory developments in employment and labor law, as well as municipal ordinances and regulation of the workplace. She assists the employer community in understanding and preparing for the potential impact of new Nevada legislation.

Credentials & Recognition

Speaking Engagements

When Every Day is “Blursday” - Wage and Hour Compliance for a Remote Workforce

  • September 14, 2021
  • Nevada Virtual Regional Employer Conference

2019 Nevada Employment Law Update

  • September 24, 2019
  • 2019 Nevada Employer Conference, Las Vegas, NV

Nevada Paid Leave Law and FMLA/ADA Developments

  • September 24, 2019
  • 2019 Nevada Employer Conference, Las Vegas, NV

2019 Nevada Employment Law Update

  • September 19, 2019
  • 2019 Nevada Employer Conference, Reno, NV

Nevada Paid Leave Law and FMLA/ADA Developments

  • September 19, 2019
  • 2019 Nevada Employer Conference, Reno, NV

Human Resource Law from Start to Finish

  • September 11, 2019
  • NBI

2019 Nevada Employment Law Legislative Update

  • September 10, 2019
  • Webinar for the State Bar of Nevada

2019 Legislative Update

  • July 16, 2019
  • Littler Webinar

A Busy Nevada Legislative Session: An Update on the Important New Employment Laws

  • July 11, 2019
  • Las Vegas Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators

Employment Law Update

  • September 21, 2017
  • Nevada Employer Conference, Reno, NV

Leaves of Absence: Nevada Pregnant Workers’ Fairness Act, Domestic Violence Leave, ADA and FMLA

  • September 6, 2017
  • Nevada Employer Conference, Las Vegas, NV

Employment Law Update

  • September 6, 2017
  • Nevada Employer Conference, Las Vegas, NV

AAP Compliance, Part II, 2016 and Beyond, LGBT Issues in the Workplace

  • June 28, 2016
  • Southern Nevada Industry Liaison Group, Las Vegas, NV

Additional Thought Leadership

No ADA Claim Where Worker Fired for Threatening Co-Workers

  • January 9, 2015
  • SHRM

Let us know how we can help you navigate your particular workplace legal issues.