Renate M.Walker
Associate
Labor & Employment
rewalker@seyfarth.com
Renate uses the practical experience she gained as a human resources professional to advise her clients in navigating employment-related matters.
More About Renate
Implementing appropriate policies and applying them correctly and consistently can prevent disputes from escalating to litigation. Clients look to Renate for practical guidance to implement effective strategies and resolve the legal and operational challenges associated with employment-related matters. Renate advises clients on a broad range of employment-related matters, including handbook and policy drafting, leaves and accommodations, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Renate is experienced in running internal investigations and conducting workplace training on employment-related topics such as sexual harassment and union avoidance. She also assisted with editing the 2019 supplement to The Developing Labor Law treatise.
Renate's approach to labor and employment law is informed by real-world experience. Before law school, she worked as a human resources professional for nearly a decade. Renate advised businesses of different sizes regarding human resources best practices, policy development, and employee handbooks. She ran internal investigations and conducted workplace training on employment-related topics, such as sexual harassment and union avoidance. Renate also provided day-to-day support to business stakeholders in a wide range of industries regarding recruiting, performance management, and employee relations issues.
As a human resources professional, Renate partnered with in-house and outside counsel to respond to charges of discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and similar state agencies. She realizes the need for an employer's attorneys to provide business-practical advice that aligns with an organization's operational objectives. This experience frames her approach to advising clients in employment-related matters. Renate developed an understanding of the pressure points that must be managed to facilitate the practical integration of human resources strategy into the achievement of operational goals.
During law school, Renate was a member of the first Legal Analytics Lab sprint team at Georgia State University. The team used artificial intelligence and data analytics to make predictions regarding employment-related litigation in the Northern District of Georgia. That experience fueled her curiosity about how technological advances can increase efficiency in legal representation.
Renate is honored to be part of the Seyfarth team because she is surrounded by fantastic labor and employment attorneys. She enjoys partnering with business leaders to solve problems.
Renate is experienced in running internal investigations and conducting workplace training on employment-related topics such as sexual harassment and union avoidance. She also assisted with editing the 2019 supplement to The Developing Labor Law treatise.
Renate's approach to labor and employment law is informed by real-world experience. Before law school, she worked as a human resources professional for nearly a decade. Renate advised businesses of different sizes regarding human resources best practices, policy development, and employee handbooks. She ran internal investigations and conducted workplace training on employment-related topics, such as sexual harassment and union avoidance. Renate also provided day-to-day support to business stakeholders in a wide range of industries regarding recruiting, performance management, and employee relations issues.
As a human resources professional, Renate partnered with in-house and outside counsel to respond to charges of discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and similar state agencies. She realizes the need for an employer's attorneys to provide business-practical advice that aligns with an organization's operational objectives. This experience frames her approach to advising clients in employment-related matters. Renate developed an understanding of the pressure points that must be managed to facilitate the practical integration of human resources strategy into the achievement of operational goals.
During law school, Renate was a member of the first Legal Analytics Lab sprint team at Georgia State University. The team used artificial intelligence and data analytics to make predictions regarding employment-related litigation in the Northern District of Georgia. That experience fueled her curiosity about how technological advances can increase efficiency in legal representation.
Renate is honored to be part of the Seyfarth team because she is surrounded by fantastic labor and employment attorneys. She enjoys partnering with business leaders to solve problems.
- JD, Georgia State University College of Law
Magna cum laude
- MBA, Wright State University
- AB, Washington University in St. Louis
- Georgia
- US District Court, Middle District of Georgia
- US District Court, Northern District of Georgia
- Supreme Court of Georgia
- Georgia Court of Appeals
- Georgia Superior Courts
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- SHRM-Atlanta Legal & Legislative Committee
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- The HELP Spay/Neuter Clinic advisor board
Renate uses the practical experience she gained as a human resources professional to advise her clients in navigating employment-related matters.
More About Renate
Implementing appropriate policies and applying them correctly and consistently can prevent disputes from escalating to litigation. Clients look to Renate for practical guidance to implement effective strategies and resolve the legal and operational challenges associated with employment-related matters. Renate advises clients on a broad range of employment-related matters, including handbook and policy drafting, leaves and accommodations, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Renate is experienced in running internal investigations and conducting workplace training on employment-related topics such as sexual harassment and union avoidance. She also assisted with editing the 2019 supplement to The Developing Labor Law treatise.
Renate's approach to labor and employment law is informed by real-world experience. Before law school, she worked as a human resources professional for nearly a decade. Renate advised businesses of different sizes regarding human resources best practices, policy development, and employee handbooks. She ran internal investigations and conducted workplace training on employment-related topics, such as sexual harassment and union avoidance. Renate also provided day-to-day support to business stakeholders in a wide range of industries regarding recruiting, performance management, and employee relations issues.
As a human resources professional, Renate partnered with in-house and outside counsel to respond to charges of discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and similar state agencies. She realizes the need for an employer's attorneys to provide business-practical advice that aligns with an organization's operational objectives. This experience frames her approach to advising clients in employment-related matters. Renate developed an understanding of the pressure points that must be managed to facilitate the practical integration of human resources strategy into the achievement of operational goals.
During law school, Renate was a member of the first Legal Analytics Lab sprint team at Georgia State University. The team used artificial intelligence and data analytics to make predictions regarding employment-related litigation in the Northern District of Georgia. That experience fueled her curiosity about how technological advances can increase efficiency in legal representation.
Renate is honored to be part of the Seyfarth team because she is surrounded by fantastic labor and employment attorneys. She enjoys partnering with business leaders to solve problems.
Renate is experienced in running internal investigations and conducting workplace training on employment-related topics such as sexual harassment and union avoidance. She also assisted with editing the 2019 supplement to The Developing Labor Law treatise.
Renate's approach to labor and employment law is informed by real-world experience. Before law school, she worked as a human resources professional for nearly a decade. Renate advised businesses of different sizes regarding human resources best practices, policy development, and employee handbooks. She ran internal investigations and conducted workplace training on employment-related topics, such as sexual harassment and union avoidance. Renate also provided day-to-day support to business stakeholders in a wide range of industries regarding recruiting, performance management, and employee relations issues.
As a human resources professional, Renate partnered with in-house and outside counsel to respond to charges of discrimination filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and similar state agencies. She realizes the need for an employer's attorneys to provide business-practical advice that aligns with an organization's operational objectives. This experience frames her approach to advising clients in employment-related matters. Renate developed an understanding of the pressure points that must be managed to facilitate the practical integration of human resources strategy into the achievement of operational goals.
During law school, Renate was a member of the first Legal Analytics Lab sprint team at Georgia State University. The team used artificial intelligence and data analytics to make predictions regarding employment-related litigation in the Northern District of Georgia. That experience fueled her curiosity about how technological advances can increase efficiency in legal representation.
Renate is honored to be part of the Seyfarth team because she is surrounded by fantastic labor and employment attorneys. She enjoys partnering with business leaders to solve problems.
- JD, Georgia State University College of Law
Magna cum laude
- MBA, Wright State University
- AB, Washington University in St. Louis
- Georgia
- US District Court, Middle District of Georgia
- US District Court, Northern District of Georgia
- Supreme Court of Georgia
- Georgia Court of Appeals
- Georgia Superior Courts
Related Services
Related News & Insights
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Legal Update
Mar 6, 2024
Weaving the Patchwork: How Mandatory Paid Family Leave Laws Stitch Together
-
Webinar
Dec 13, 2023
Webinar Recording: A Special Multi-Part Series: Guidance on State and Local Paid Sick Leave Laws — Part 12: Major Changes in California, Minnesota, Illinois, and Chicago Lead Us Into 2024
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Oct 26, 2023
Webinar Recording: Developing and Maintaining a Multi-State Employee Handbook: Best Practices and Updates for 2024
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- Edward J. Henning Memorial Award for Excellence in Academics and Interest in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Atlanta Bar Association (2018)
- SHRM-Atlanta Legal & Legislative Committee
- Society for Human Resource Management, Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)
- Human Resources Certification Institute, Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
- Co-Author, "Weaving the Patchwork: How Mandatory Paid Family Leave Laws Stitch Together," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 6, 2024)
- Co-Author, "If Pain, Yes Gain—Part 106: Minnesota Legislature Passes Statewide Paid Sick and Safe Time Bill," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 17, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Maryland Makes Notable Changes to Its Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program, Including Implementation Delays," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 17, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Maryland Paid Family and Medical Leave Rights and Obligations," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 20, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Maryland Becomes Tenth State to Enact Paid Family Leave Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 12, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus—Part XIX: Pittsburgh Passes Temporary Emergency COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 23, 2020)
- Co-Contributor, Premium Paid Family Leave (“PFL”) Laws Survey, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 15, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Through Ballot Initiative, Colorado Becomes Ninth State to Enact Paid Family Leave Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 6, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus—Part XVIII: Philadelphia Amends Paid Sick Leave Law in Response to COVID-19," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 1, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefits Become Available for Employee Use," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 31, 2019)
- Co-Author, "The Uncertain Landscape of Discrimination & Harassment Laws: Expanding the Definition of 'Protected Class'," Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 4, 2019)
- Co-Author, "If Pain, Yes Gain—Part 63: Do Michigan’s Paid Sick Leave Law Lame Duck Amendments Have a Leg to Stand On?," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 30, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Looking Ahead to Exhibit A: Tips For Drafting Job Descriptions for Exempt Roles," Wage & Hour Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 4, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Actions Taken in Violation of State Law May Not Be Protected Activities Under Title VII,” Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 4, 2018)
- Co-Presenter, "A Special Multi-Part Series: Guidance on State and Local Paid Sick Leave Laws — Part 12: Major Changes in California, Minnesota, Illinois, and Chicago Lead Us Into 2024," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 13, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Developing and Maintaining a Multi-State Employee Handbook: Best Practices and Updates for 2024," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 26, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "A Special Multi-Part Series: Guidance on Paid Family Leave Laws - Part IX: Paid Family and Medical Leave Law Comparisons, Challenges and Federal Outlook," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 11, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Webinar: A Special Multi-Part Series: Guidance on Paid Family Leave Laws - Part VIII: Comparing State PFML Laws and Mid-Year 2023 Legislative Updates," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 14, 2023)
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- Co-Presenter, "Guidance on State and Local Paid Family Leave Laws – Part I: Spotlighting Massachusetts, Connecticut, Washington and Washington, D.C. Paid Family Leave Developments," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 28, 2021)
-
Co-Presenter, "Getting Back to Work in the COVID-19 World," Webinar, SHRM-Atlanta (May 13, 2020)
-
Presenter, "Employee Handbooks and Policies in the 21st Century," Live Seminar, Mini Law School for HR Professionals (NBI, February 5, 2020)
- Co-Presenter, "State and Local Paid Leave: Today and Beyond," Webinar, The American Benefits Council (January 31, 2020)
- Co-Presenter, "Ethical Issues in Employment Law," Live Seminar, Georgia Employment Law, NBI (December 10, 2019)
- Co-Presenter, "Issues in Wage and Hour Law," Live Seminar, Georgia Employment Law, NBI (December 10, 2019)
- Presenter, "FMLA and Other Leave Issues," Live Seminar, Human Resources Law from A to Z, NBI (November 12, 2019)
- The HELP Spay/Neuter Clinic advisor board