I am an employment and labor law attorney, representing companies, employees and executives in litigation and personnel matters. I have a general background in education, technology, construction, and government contracts matters.
A large part of my litigation practice pertains to post-employment litigation, both raising and defending claims involving fraud, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, leaked confidential information, defamation, and civil conspiracy. I also regularly negotiate agreements outside of the courtroom, including agreements pertaining to terminations, severance pay and commercial leases.
I regularly advise and train companies on best practices in the workplace, on topics such as workplace investigations, sexual harassment, the joint employer doctrine, terminations, ADA accommodations, and job applications.
I also have experience advising and litigating labor union matters, including employee termination grievances in arbitration, and negotiating collective bargaining agreements.
Practice areas
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
DC | Active | 2011 | 10/14/2017 |
VA | Authorized to Practice Law | 2010 | 09/21/2020 |
Legal answers | 1 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2019 |
Up and Coming | Virginia Lawyers Weekly | 2018 |
Legal Elite | Virginia Business Magazine | 2012 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Berenzweig Leonard | 2018 - Present |
Senior Associate Attorney | Berenzweig Leonard | 2014 - 2017 |
Associate Attorney | Berenzweig Leonard | 2011 - 2014 |
Associate Attorney | Seeger, Faughnan, Mendicino, PLLC | 2010 - 2011 |
Law Clerk | Seeger, Faughnan, Mendicino, PLLC | 2010 - 2010 |
Law Clerk | U.S. Coast Guard | 2009 - 2010 |
---|---|---|
Law Clerk | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 2009 - 2009 |
Law Clerk | Albo & Oblon, LLP | 2009 - 2009 |
Paralegal Specialist | U.S. Army | 2008 - 2009 |
Law Clerk | Cooch & Lapham, PLLC | 2006 - 2007 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Professional Services Council, Labor and HR Committee | Chair | 2017 - Present |
George Mason American Inn of Court | Barrister Member | 2017 - Present |
Fairfax Bar Association, Employment Law Section | Member | 2015 - Present |
Legal Services of Northern Virginia, Employment Law Pro Bono Volunteer | Pro Bono Volunteer | 2014 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Bloomberg Government | Government Shutdown Appeal Win Is Cold Comfort to Contractors | 2018 |
Virginia Lawyer's Weekly | When Does Ex-Employee’s Use of LinkedIn Violate a Non-Solicitation Agreement | 2017 |
The Newsletter of the Construction Law Committee, Volume 19 Issue 3 | Joint Employer Doctrine Could Spell More Litigation Trouble for Construction Companies | 2015 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
George Mason University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2010 |
James Madison University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 2006 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
National Business Institute (NBI) Telephone Presentation | Internal Workplace Investigations | 2018 |
39th FCMS Arbitration Symposium | Drug Testing in the Age of Legalized Marijuana | 2018 |
Joined at the Hip? A Primer on the Joint Employment Doctrine | Joint Employment Doctrine Primer | 2018 |
Human Resource Law: What You Need to Know Now | Workplace Behavior and Privacy Issues | 2017 |
Professional Services Council (PSC) Human Resources and Labor Policy Committee | Marijuana Use Presents Conflicts for Government Contractors | 2017 |
What Does “Hire American” Mean for Government Contractors | Hire American Mandate Under the Trump Administration | 2017 |
---|---|---|
Labor Trends Impacting Employment Practitioners | Labor Trends in Employment Law | 2016 |
Construction Contract Workshop | Examining Legal Issues and Contract Disputes | 2015 |
Association of Bridal Consultants Business Seminar | Contract Drafting and Online Defamation | 2013 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Seneca One Finance, Inc. et al. v. Cannell | Dismissal with prejudice of 4 out of 7 counts against employee client in action involving claims of constructive fraud and misappropriation of trade secrets. |
Seneca One Finance, Inc. v. Bloshuk | Dismissal of all counts against management-level client in action involving overbroad non-compete and non-solicitation provisions. |
SunTrust Bank v. Advanced Business Concepts, Inc. et al., CL2016-07288 (Fairfax Circuit Court, July 1, 2016). | Dismissal on behalf of Defendant |
Posted by anonymous
Wed Jun 26 2019
Posted by anonymous
Fri Mar 15 2019
Posted by Brandon
Thu Feb 28 2019
Posted by anonymous
Mon Feb 04 2019
Posted by Dianne
Sat Feb 02 2019
Posted by Dianne
Fri Feb 01 2019
Posted by anonymous
Mon Nov 19 2018
Posted by anonymous
Sun Sep 16 2018
Posted by Paul
Fri Sep 14 2018
Posted by anonymous
Fri Sep 14 2018
Richard Volin, Employment and labor Attorney on Sep 25, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Katie offers smart and practical employment advice. She can be a huge asset on a variety of critical management and employee-side issues.
Paul Abraham, Employment and labor Attorney on Jul 29, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Katie is an excellent attorney who works hard for her clients. I don't hesitate to refer clients to her, as I will know that they will be in good hands. She has my trust and high recommendation.
Samantha Collins, Litigation Attorney on Mar 12, 2018
Relationship: Co-worker
I have known Katie since 2013. She is an outstanding lawyer, coworker, and mentor. She goes above and beyond in each case that she works on and views her cases through a creative lens. Katie zealously advocates for her clients, and is well respected in the legal community. I highly recommend Katie's legal services.
Declan Leonard, Employment and labor Attorney on Mar 9, 2018
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have litigated several cases with Katie, and she is both aggressive and thorough in her approach to winning a case.
Kevin Jaros, Litigation Attorney on Feb 2, 2018
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Katie was opposing counsel in a couple of matters I was previously involved in. She is a knowledgeable and fierce advocate for her clients, and I would not hesitate to recommend her services.
Ryen Rasmus, Litigation Attorney on Jan 23, 2018
Relationship: Co-worker
I have worked with Katie for five years, and found her to be one of the most creative, zealous, and compassionate lawyers in her field. If I found myself in the market for a litigator, I'd definitely want Katie in my corner.