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Katharine O. Beattie

Associate
617.348.1887
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Education

  • Boston College (JD)
  • University of Massachusetts (MSPA)
  • College of the Holy Cross (BA)

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts

Kate’s work primarily involves litigation and counseling on federal and state labor and employment issues, including discrimination and harassment, leaves of absence, wage-and-hour, employee classification, wrongful termination, and the enforcement of noncompetition and nondisclosure agreements. She handles employment and business litigation before federal and state courts, arbitrators, and administrative agencies, including state fair employment and human rights agencies.

Representative cases involve claims pertaining to discrimination and harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge, trade secret protection, enforcement of noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreements, the False Claims Act, insider trading, as well as class action claims under state and federal wage and hour laws.

In her labor practice, Kate advises clients on a range of collective bargaining issues, handles grievance arbitrations and represents clients before the National Labor Relations Board with respect to unfair labor practice charges and union election proceedings. She also counsels clients on employment issues, such as leaves of absence, independent contractor and employee classification, exempt and nonexempt worker classification, reasonable accommodation for handicapped employees, disciplining and terminating employees, investigating claims of harassment, and protecting trade secrets and confidential information.

Kate also has significant experience advising clients on pre-employment screening, the terms and use of offer letters, noncompetition and nondisclosure agreements, employee handbooks, privacy and social media issues, and wellness programs. She also conducts trainings to educate clients’ employees on anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and procedures, as well as effective management practices.

During her third year of law school, Kate was a student attorney in the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, where she represented state agencies in appeals of adjudicatory proceedings before the Massachusetts Superior Court. Kate also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Sydney E. Hanlon, First Justice of the Dorchester District Court. Prior to attending law school, Kate served as chief of staff to Massachusetts State Representative Vincent A. Pedone for three and a half years.

Awards & Recognitions

  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers: Rising Star – Employment Litigation: Defense (2012)

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Elected member, Board of Directors, Everybody Wins! Metro Boston
  • Boston Chamber of Commerce Women’s Leadership Program (2010 – 2011)