Nikki H Howell

Practice Areas

A skilled trial attorney, Nikki handles complex employment disputes, with a particular focus on the defense of nationwide class and collective actions, multi-plaintiff discrimination lawsuits and EEOC litigation.

Nikki represents a variety of regional and national employers, ranging from local small businesses to international companies with thousands of employees. They operate across numerous sectors, including retail, manufacturing, call centers, transportation, government contractors, sports teams and insurance carriers. She has defended employers against:

| Pattern-or-practice lawsuits brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

| Lawsuits involving 50+ litigants with extensive and novel theories of liability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

| Complex multi-plaintiff race discrimination claims involving 30+ plaintiffs

| Collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and related state laws alleging claims related to overtime, meal and break periods, off the clock work and other pay practices

| Class actions filed under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

| Race discrimination claims arises in the context of a consumer retail contract

Nikki’s practice touches on every aspect of employment law, beginning with prevention and compliance and continuing through trial and appeal. A sample of her non-litigation experience includes:

| Strategic corporate planning related to corporate policies, employment contracts, administration of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and ADA

| Partnering with economists and statisticians to conduct pay equity audits or defend against allegations of discriminatory pay practices

| Executive, management and human resources training relating to anti-harassment and discrimination policies, FMLA and ADA overlap and compliance, diversity and inclusion, unconscious bias, how to conduct investigations, etc.

| Conducting internal or third-party investigations on behalf of corporate boards or legal departments into allegations of potential harassment, discrimination and other policy or legal violations by employees at every level, from hourly employees to c-suite executives

| Acting as trial monitoring counsel for insurance carriers, providing real-time updates and evaluations as the trial unfolds

Within the firm, Nikki serves as the Kansas City Office Managing Partner and a member of both the Executive Committee and the Strategic Growth Committee.

Professional Memberships

Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, University of Missouri-Columbia | Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Labor and Employment Committee, Vice Chair (2014-2016) | Kansas City Association of Women Lawyers | Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions Leadership Program, Steering Committee (2012-2013) | Missouri Bar Labor & Employment Committee, Legislative Review Subcommittee (2015-present) | Sandra Day O’Connor’s iCivics Program, Co-Chair, Missouri (2010-2014)

Personal

University of Missouri, (J.D.), Order of the Coif, Order of the Barristers | University of Missouri (B.A., summa cum laude)

Career

Prior to joining Fox Rothschild, Nikki was a partner in a national labor and employment law firm. Before her career in labor and employment litigation, she was a law clerk to the late Honorable John R. Gibson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit.

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Bar Admissions: Missouri