The New York Law Journal has selected Squire Patton Boggs Labor & Employment partner Katharine Liao as one of its 2021 “Rising Stars,” which recognizes the region’s most promising lawyers under the age of 40.
Katharine represents employers in the retail, entertainment, technology and manufacturing industries in all aspects of employment-related litigation before federal and state courts and administrative agencies. Her practice is global with emphasis in California and New York where she serves as a trusted adviser to employers on a wide range of employment issues, including employment policies and procedures, pay equity issues, executive transitions, restrictive covenants, harassment/discrimination avoidance, wage-and-hour compliance, and general best practices for employers.
In particular, she was recognized for her counsel to various retail clients on COVID-related matters, focusing both on the well-being of employees, as well as customers. Katharine guided employers through unprecedented business closures, furloughs and mass layoffs, temporary sick leave bills, required and recommended safety measures pursuant to OSHA, CDC and other local ordinances, vaccinations, and business reopening guidelines.
Katharine also devoted a significant portion of her practice to helping organizations and senior business leaders navigate last summer’s racial injustice movement, including customizing training programs and leading investigations into complaints of discrimination and harassment for clients.
Ms. Liao was profiled in the New York Law Journal’s October “Rising Stars” supplement.