Biography
Katie Collins is a seasoned employment law attorney with a proven track record of successfully representing clients across a broad spectrum of employment-related matters. Her experience spans defending against claims involving workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour issues, and class actions, as well as claims under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). Katie is particularly skilled in handling complex class and PAGA actions, navigating their intricacies and helping clients identify potential risks early, implement corrective measures, and resolve claims effectively and efficiently. Katie is also well-versed in advocating for clients in both state and federal courts, as well as before a range of governmental agencies including the California Labor Commissioner, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the California Civil Rights Department (formerly the Department of Fair Employment and Housing). She is also experienced in handling arbitration proceedings.
In addition to her litigation expertise, Katie provides comprehensive guidance to employers on managing the full spectrum of the employer-employee relationship. She advises on workplace policies and practices, as well as critical issues such as recruiting and hiring, employment agreements, compensation plans, protecting trade secrets, independent contractor status, wage and hour compliance, performance management, disciplinary actions, privacy concerns, leaves of absence and reasonable accommodations, and strategies for preventing discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Katie also helps employers navigate complex issues such as preventing and responding to theft and embezzlement, managing reductions in force, layoffs, and terminations, and ensuring compliance with state and federal employment laws.
Katie is also a member of the Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI) and has passed the rigorous test to obtain a certificate in workplace investigations from AWI. She conducts impartial, thorough investigations for both public and private sector employers, helping them address sensitive workplace issues.
Katie attended law school at Pepperdine University's Caruso School of Law and while there obtained a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from the highly-ranked Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. During her time there, she gained hands-on experience in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, which continues to inform her approach to resolving complex employment disputes.
Outside of her legal practice, Katie enjoys spending quality time with her family and two dogs, taking trips to Disneyland, and baking anything chocolate. Katie is also heavily involved in raising awareness and funds for those suffering from leukemia and lymphoma and has chaired The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Event.
Education
- Association of Workplace Investigators Training Institute, 2023
- Certificate Holder
- Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law, 2015
- Certificate in Dispute Resolution, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution
- University of California at Davis, 2012
- B.S. with Highest Honors
Bar Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court Southern District of California
Professional Associations
- Sacramento County Bar Association
- Women Lawyers of Sacramento
- Association of Workplace Investigators
- Association of Defense Counsel
Honors
-
Rising Star, Super Lawyers Northern California, 2019 – 2024
-
Sacramento Magazine’s Top Lawyers List for 2023 – 2024
-
Northern California Best Lawyers 2024 – Ones to Watch Award, Labor and Employment