Kathryn Lynn Kreps

Kathy L. Kreps provides practical advice to employers in all phases of labor and employment matters. She has counseled businesses ranging in size from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and non-profit organizations. She approaches each problem by focusing on practical solutions for the business given its unique culture and size. She does not believe in a “one-size- fits-all” approach and tailors her advice to the individual needs of the client.

As creative as she is practical, Kathy is a strong litigator, defending employers in matters related to discrimination, retaliation, family medical leave, and wage and hour in both state and federal court. She has also represented clients in matters before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. In addition, she routinely practices before numerous administrative boards including the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Ohio Unemployment Compensation Review Commission.

Kathy has also served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable James L. Graham, United States District Judge; and the Honorable Terence P. Kemp, U.S. District Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. Her years of service to the judicial system allows her to offer her clients a unique perspective on the way Judges and Magistrate Judges assess and evaluate cases, which leads to increased efficiency and reduced cost.

Legal Areas of Practice:

• Discrimination
• Wrongful Termination
• Harassment
• Wage and Hour claims and compliance
• State and Federal Compliance
• Employment Agreements: Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation, Non-Disclosure, Confidentiality, Severance, Separation, and Executive Agreements
• Employee Discipline and Termination
• Employment Handbooks and Effective Employment Policies
• Litigation Services
• Representation before Administrative Agencies (OSHA, EEOC, OCRC, ODJFS)
• Workplace Safety
• Denial of Benefits
• Workers’ Compensation
• Public Accommodations
• Leave Compliance

Bar Admission:

• State of Ohio, 2005
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, 2006
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, 2015
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, 2016 
• Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, 2015  

Education:

• J.D., The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, magna cum laude; Order of the Coif; The Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution, Managing Editor, 2004-2005, 2005
• B.S., Ohio University, magna cum laude, 2002

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Columbus Bar Association
• Society for Human Resources Management