Katherine F.Mendez
Partner
Labor & Employment
kmendez@seyfarth.com
Kate is passionate about truly understanding her clients' individual goals and culture, and developing strategic solutions that meet both legal needs and align with clients' business objectives.
More About Kate
Employment laws and regulations are rapidly changing and employers must evolve to keep up with emerging concepts. Clients look to Kate to provide proactive counseling that ensures compliance in this changing landscape, and to litigate cases strategically, understanding and addressing the complexities of managing a workforce with often redefined expectations.
Before becoming an attorney, Kate was a manager in the hospitality industry for almost 10 years. Having managed a workforce herself, Kate has insight into the challenges most employers face. This coupled with her years of experience as an employment litigator makes her uniquely qualified to understand employment issues and to provide creative and decisive solutions.
Kate began her practice in employment litigation more than fifteen years ago and has extensive counseling and litigation experience. She has successfully defended employers in single-plaintiff, multiplaintiff, and class action cases, with successful results both at trial and in summary judgment. Her cases have involved allegations of discrimination on the basis of disability, age, sex, sex harassment, race, national origin, and other protected classifications filed under various federal and state statutes, including The Americans with Disabilities Act (and ADAAA), the Family and Medical Leave Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 42 USC § 1981, The Fair Labor Standards Act, The Illinois Human Rights Act, and many states' human rights acts.
Every client has unique goals and individual culture. Kate’s thoughtful approach takes this into account, allowing her to identify the varying risks different clients face. Her advice and counsel never fail to take a holistic view of clients’ individualized needs and perspectives.
Kate enjoys working at Seyfarth because it provides an opportunity to give thoughtful and strategic advice in both counseling and litigation matters. She works alongside other first-class attorneys, and is proud to represent some of the most successful employers in the country.
Before becoming an attorney, Kate was a manager in the hospitality industry for almost 10 years. Having managed a workforce herself, Kate has insight into the challenges most employers face. This coupled with her years of experience as an employment litigator makes her uniquely qualified to understand employment issues and to provide creative and decisive solutions.
Kate began her practice in employment litigation more than fifteen years ago and has extensive counseling and litigation experience. She has successfully defended employers in single-plaintiff, multiplaintiff, and class action cases, with successful results both at trial and in summary judgment. Her cases have involved allegations of discrimination on the basis of disability, age, sex, sex harassment, race, national origin, and other protected classifications filed under various federal and state statutes, including The Americans with Disabilities Act (and ADAAA), the Family and Medical Leave Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 42 USC § 1981, The Fair Labor Standards Act, The Illinois Human Rights Act, and many states' human rights acts.
Every client has unique goals and individual culture. Kate’s thoughtful approach takes this into account, allowing her to identify the varying risks different clients face. Her advice and counsel never fail to take a holistic view of clients’ individualized needs and perspectives.
Kate enjoys working at Seyfarth because it provides an opportunity to give thoughtful and strategic advice in both counseling and litigation matters. She works alongside other first-class attorneys, and is proud to represent some of the most successful employers in the country.
- JD, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
Moot Court Honor Society
Certification in Labor and Employment Law - BAA, Central Michigan University
- BA, Northeastern Illinois University
SpanishMagna cum laude
- Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US District Court, Central District of Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Indiana
- US District Court, Southern District of Indiana
- US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- US District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
- Illinois Supreme Court
Related Services
Related Key Industries
Representative Court Decisions
- US District Court for the Central District of Illinois: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for race discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation.
-
US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for age discrimination under Ohio law.
- Court of Common Pleas, Cuyahoga County Ohio: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for race discrimination and retaliation.
- Kansas Supreme Court/Kansas Court of Appeals/Johnson County District Court: Kansas Supreme Court declines review of Court of Appeals decision affirming complete judgment for employer following jury trial on claims for breach of implied employment contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and intentional misrepresentation.
- Johnson County (Kansas) District Court: Summary judgment awarded to employer on claims of intentional misrepresentation, promissory estoppel and breach of fiduciary duty; complete defense verdict for employer following jury trial on claim for breach of implied employment contract.
- US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for age discrimination, disability discrimination, failure to accommodate and retaliation.
- US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois: Summary judgment awarded on all claims for disability discrimination and failure to accommodate.
- The Illinois Human Rights Commission: Summary disposition awarded to employer on claims of disability discrimination, failure to accommodate and retaliation.
- US District Court for the Central District of Illinois: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for race and national origin discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
- US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio: Summary judgment awarded to employer on plaintiffs’ collective action claims for failure to compensate at a rate of one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 hours in any workweek.
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit: Affirming summary judgment for employer on collective action claims for failure to compensate at a rate of one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 hours in any workweek.
- United States Court for the Northern District of Illinois: Motion to dismiss granted on all claims for race discrimination and conspiracy.
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit: Affirming summary judgment for employer on all claims for retaliatory discharge, race discrimination, and violations of due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment and affirming motion to dismiss second lawsuit on all claims for race discrimination and conspiracy.
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit: Affirming summary judgment for employer on all claims for age and disability discrimination.
-
US District Court for the Northern District of Indiana: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for age discrimination.
-
US District Court for the Central District of Illinois: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for age discrimination, retaliation, and breach of contract.
-
US District Court for the District of Maryland: Motion to dismiss granted for employer on all claims under Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and for fraudulent inducement.
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for age discrimination.
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for age discrimination, retaliation, and breach of contract.
Related Trends
Related News & Insights
-
Webinar
Oct 13, 2021
Webinar Recording: The Future of the World of Work—Legal Implications, Issues, and Leadership Opportunities
-
Podcast
May 19, 2021
Future Employer: Are Humans With Microchips In Their Brains The Future of Work?
-
Blog Post
Jul 28, 2020
Blog Series – Managing a Future Tele-Workforce
-
Blog Post
Jun 18, 2020
Considerations for Employers Returning To Work Amidst Social Unrest and COVID-19
- Chicago Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Illinois Trial Bar
- Co-Author, "National Strikes and Boycott Activities Planned for February 16 & 17 (And Beyond)," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 15, 2017)
- Co-Author, "Maryland Passes One of Nation’s Most Expansive Equal Pay Laws," Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 24, 2016)
- "What to Expect When The Legislature Is Expecting (To Reintroduce The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act)," Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 14, 2015)
- Contributing Author, "ADA and FMLA Compliance Updates," National Employment Law Institute (April 2013)
- Contributing Author, "Complex FMLA Issues," National Employment Law Institute (February 2013)
- Co-Author, "Department of Labor Issues New FMLA Regulations," Strategy & Insights, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 12, 2013)
- Contributing Editor, "Developing Labor Law," (2010-2011)
- Co-Presenter, "The Future of the World of Work—Legal Implications, Issues, and Leadership Opportunities," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 13, 2021)
- Speaker, Point Two L&E Nation Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
- Future Employer: Are Humans With Microchips In Their Brains The Future of Work? (May 19, 2021)
- "Understanding Title VII and the Myriad of Employment Laws," Illinois Chamber of Commerce (2016)
- "Labor and Employment Law Developments: What Happened in 2014 and What to Watch in 2015"
- "2014 Labor and Employment Issues Updates," Kankakee Area Human Resources Association (May 2014)
- "2013 FMLA and ADAAA Legal Update," Kankakee Area Human Resources Association (October 2013)
- "2012 Human Resources Managers Legal Update," Kankakee Area Human Resources Association (August 2012)
- "Deferred Law Firm Associates and Public Interest Organizations," Chicago Bar Association in Chicago, IL (May 27, 2009)
Kate is passionate about truly understanding her clients' individual goals and culture, and developing strategic solutions that meet both legal needs and align with clients' business objectives.
More About Kate
Employment laws and regulations are rapidly changing and employers must evolve to keep up with emerging concepts. Clients look to Kate to provide proactive counseling that ensures compliance in this changing landscape, and to litigate cases strategically, understanding and addressing the complexities of managing a workforce with often redefined expectations.
Before becoming an attorney, Kate was a manager in the hospitality industry for almost 10 years. Having managed a workforce herself, Kate has insight into the challenges most employers face. This coupled with her years of experience as an employment litigator makes her uniquely qualified to understand employment issues and to provide creative and decisive solutions.
Kate began her practice in employment litigation more than fifteen years ago and has extensive counseling and litigation experience. She has successfully defended employers in single-plaintiff, multiplaintiff, and class action cases, with successful results both at trial and in summary judgment. Her cases have involved allegations of discrimination on the basis of disability, age, sex, sex harassment, race, national origin, and other protected classifications filed under various federal and state statutes, including The Americans with Disabilities Act (and ADAAA), the Family and Medical Leave Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 42 USC § 1981, The Fair Labor Standards Act, The Illinois Human Rights Act, and many states' human rights acts.
Every client has unique goals and individual culture. Kate’s thoughtful approach takes this into account, allowing her to identify the varying risks different clients face. Her advice and counsel never fail to take a holistic view of clients’ individualized needs and perspectives.
Kate enjoys working at Seyfarth because it provides an opportunity to give thoughtful and strategic advice in both counseling and litigation matters. She works alongside other first-class attorneys, and is proud to represent some of the most successful employers in the country.
Before becoming an attorney, Kate was a manager in the hospitality industry for almost 10 years. Having managed a workforce herself, Kate has insight into the challenges most employers face. This coupled with her years of experience as an employment litigator makes her uniquely qualified to understand employment issues and to provide creative and decisive solutions.
Kate began her practice in employment litigation more than fifteen years ago and has extensive counseling and litigation experience. She has successfully defended employers in single-plaintiff, multiplaintiff, and class action cases, with successful results both at trial and in summary judgment. Her cases have involved allegations of discrimination on the basis of disability, age, sex, sex harassment, race, national origin, and other protected classifications filed under various federal and state statutes, including The Americans with Disabilities Act (and ADAAA), the Family and Medical Leave Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 42 USC § 1981, The Fair Labor Standards Act, The Illinois Human Rights Act, and many states' human rights acts.
Every client has unique goals and individual culture. Kate’s thoughtful approach takes this into account, allowing her to identify the varying risks different clients face. Her advice and counsel never fail to take a holistic view of clients’ individualized needs and perspectives.
Kate enjoys working at Seyfarth because it provides an opportunity to give thoughtful and strategic advice in both counseling and litigation matters. She works alongside other first-class attorneys, and is proud to represent some of the most successful employers in the country.
- JD, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
Moot Court Honor Society
Certification in Labor and Employment Law - BAA, Central Michigan University
- BA, Northeastern Illinois University
SpanishMagna cum laude
- Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US District Court, Central District of Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- US District Court, Northern District of Indiana
- US District Court, Southern District of Indiana
- US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- US District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
- Illinois Supreme Court
Related Services
Related Key Industries
Representative Court Decisions
- US District Court for the Central District of Illinois: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for race discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation.
-
US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for age discrimination under Ohio law.
- Court of Common Pleas, Cuyahoga County Ohio: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for race discrimination and retaliation.
- Kansas Supreme Court/Kansas Court of Appeals/Johnson County District Court: Kansas Supreme Court declines review of Court of Appeals decision affirming complete judgment for employer following jury trial on claims for breach of implied employment contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and intentional misrepresentation.
- Johnson County (Kansas) District Court: Summary judgment awarded to employer on claims of intentional misrepresentation, promissory estoppel and breach of fiduciary duty; complete defense verdict for employer following jury trial on claim for breach of implied employment contract.
- US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for age discrimination, disability discrimination, failure to accommodate and retaliation.
- US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois: Summary judgment awarded on all claims for disability discrimination and failure to accommodate.
- The Illinois Human Rights Commission: Summary disposition awarded to employer on claims of disability discrimination, failure to accommodate and retaliation.
- US District Court for the Central District of Illinois: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for race and national origin discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
- US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio: Summary judgment awarded to employer on plaintiffs’ collective action claims for failure to compensate at a rate of one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 hours in any workweek.
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit: Affirming summary judgment for employer on collective action claims for failure to compensate at a rate of one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 hours in any workweek.
- United States Court for the Northern District of Illinois: Motion to dismiss granted on all claims for race discrimination and conspiracy.
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit: Affirming summary judgment for employer on all claims for retaliatory discharge, race discrimination, and violations of due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment and affirming motion to dismiss second lawsuit on all claims for race discrimination and conspiracy.
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit: Affirming summary judgment for employer on all claims for age and disability discrimination.
-
US District Court for the Northern District of Indiana: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for age discrimination.
-
US District Court for the Central District of Illinois: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for age discrimination, retaliation, and breach of contract.
-
US District Court for the District of Maryland: Motion to dismiss granted for employer on all claims under Title VII and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and for fraudulent inducement.
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for age discrimination.
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois: Summary judgment awarded to employer on all claims for age discrimination, retaliation, and breach of contract.
Related Trends
Related News & Insights
-
Webinar
Oct 13, 2021
Webinar Recording: The Future of the World of Work—Legal Implications, Issues, and Leadership Opportunities
-
Podcast
May 19, 2021
Future Employer: Are Humans With Microchips In Their Brains The Future of Work?
-
Blog Post
Jul 28, 2020
Blog Series – Managing a Future Tele-Workforce
-
Blog Post
Jun 18, 2020
Considerations for Employers Returning To Work Amidst Social Unrest and COVID-19
- Chicago Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Illinois Trial Bar
- Co-Author, "National Strikes and Boycott Activities Planned for February 16 & 17 (And Beyond)," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 15, 2017)
- Co-Author, "Maryland Passes One of Nation’s Most Expansive Equal Pay Laws," Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 24, 2016)
- "What to Expect When The Legislature Is Expecting (To Reintroduce The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act)," Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 14, 2015)
- Contributing Author, "ADA and FMLA Compliance Updates," National Employment Law Institute (April 2013)
- Contributing Author, "Complex FMLA Issues," National Employment Law Institute (February 2013)
- Co-Author, "Department of Labor Issues New FMLA Regulations," Strategy & Insights, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 12, 2013)
- Contributing Editor, "Developing Labor Law," (2010-2011)
- Co-Presenter, "The Future of the World of Work—Legal Implications, Issues, and Leadership Opportunities," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 13, 2021)
- Speaker, Point Two L&E Nation Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
- Future Employer: Are Humans With Microchips In Their Brains The Future of Work? (May 19, 2021)
- "Understanding Title VII and the Myriad of Employment Laws," Illinois Chamber of Commerce (2016)
- "Labor and Employment Law Developments: What Happened in 2014 and What to Watch in 2015"
- "2014 Labor and Employment Issues Updates," Kankakee Area Human Resources Association (May 2014)
- "2013 FMLA and ADAAA Legal Update," Kankakee Area Human Resources Association (October 2013)
- "2012 Human Resources Managers Legal Update," Kankakee Area Human Resources Association (August 2012)
- "Deferred Law Firm Associates and Public Interest Organizations," Chicago Bar Association in Chicago, IL (May 27, 2009)