Z. Kathryn Branson

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.