Kathleen Parker

Practice Areas

Kathleen Parker is a partner in the firm's Labor, Employment, and Workplace Safety practice. Kathleen has extensive experience advising international and domestic companies on a wide range of employment matters, including counseling and litigation. She regularly advises her clients on internal policies, hiring, disciplinary actions, terminations, properly classifying employees and contractors, and navigating employee accommodations and leave issues. Kathleen is dedicated to working with her clients to achieve their business goals while also ensuring compliance with constantly evolving employment laws.

Kathleen frequently drafts employment policies, employment agreements, separation agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, and employee handbooks. In addition, Kathleen has experience representing employers defending against charges at the administrative agency level, including discrimination actions before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. Kathleen has also litigated complex disputes in state and federal court, including defending clients against claims alleging violations of wage and hour laws, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and commission of breach of contract. Kathleen has also successfully negotiated numerous favorable settlements for her clients.

She also regularly conducts discrimination and harassment prevention training for corporate clients and conducts internal employment investigations on behalf of her clients. Additionally, Kathleen regularly supports M&A transactions by assisting with due diligence, advising on employment matters, and drafting agreements.

Kathleen is also passionate about providing pro bono clients with legal representation and frequently advises non-profit organizations in employment matters. In 2018, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly recognized Kathleen with an Excellence in the Law-Pro Bono Award for her pro bono work helping to secure the release of Fred Weichel, who was wrongfully imprisoned for more than 36 years for a crime he did not commit.

Within the firm, Kathleen recently ended her three-year term as the Boston office’s co-hiring partner, is a member of the Firmwide Women in the Profession Committee and US Local WIP Leadership Committee, chair of the Boston office's WIP Committee, and member of the Boston Office’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee.

Professional Memberships

Steering Committee Member, Boston Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section (2019-2022)

Committee Member, Women's Bar Association Law Firm Advancement Committee (2019-2020)

Mentor, Boston Bar Association Women's Leadership & Advancement Forum (2021)

Career Transition Mentor, Boston Bar Association (2021)

In addition to the above, Kathleen is a longtime member of the Boston Bar Association and National Association of Women Lawyers.

Publications

“The Texas Responsible AI Governance Act and Its Potential Impacts on Employers,” Journal of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Law, July-August 2025

“Should Job Applicants Be Permitted to Use Artificial Intelligence?” The Journal of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & Law, January-February 2025

“Silicon Valley Bank Collapse: Implications for Employers,” LexisNexis, 2023

“An Invisible Epidemic: Navigating Mental Health Issues in the Employment Relationship,” American Health Law Association, 2022

“Choosing to Discriminate: When Patient Preference and Employee Rights Collide,” American Health Law Association, 15 November 2021

Education