Squire Patton Boggs is pleased to announce that Katharine J. Liao has joined the firm as partner in the Labor & Employment Practice, resident in New York. Ms. Liao arrives from DLA Piper.
“Katharine’s arrival plays into the firm’s continued investment in strengthening our employment capabilities, particularly in wage-and-hour class action litigation,” said Jill S. Kirila, co-leader of the global Labor & Employment Practice. “Proficient in Mandarin, Katharine will be a valuable asset on relevant issues for our international clients seeking to do business in the US. We are thrilled to welcome her to the team.”
Having defeated class certification on multiple occasions, Ms. Liao represents employers in the retail, entertainment, technology and healthcare industries in all aspects of employment-related litigation before federal and state courts and administrative agencies. She also advises employers in cases involving harassment, discrimination, retaliation, trade secrets, breach of contract, and wrongful termination matters.
She serves as a trusted advisor to employers and provides day-to-day counseling on various employment issues, including employment policies and procedures, pay equity issues, executive transitions, wage-and-hour compliance, employment and commission agreements, and manager and employee training. Ms. Liao has defended clients in proceedings before the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Public Employment Relations Board, the Division of Labor Enforcement Standards, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the New York Department of Labor and the US Department of Labor.
Ms. Liao regularly assists global clients in transitioning in and out of various jurisdictions, provides due diligence in mergers and acquisitions, and assists with reductions in force. She speaks frequently on social media policies, anti-harassment measures, and best management practices. Ms. Liao served as an adjunct professor at University of Southern California, teaching Trial Advocacy from 2010-2012.
“I look forward to collaborating with a team of talented peers and leveraging my depth of industry experience across the firm’s extensive global platform to provide unparalleled legal services to our valued clients,” said Ms. Liao.