Atty. Kimberly A. Yates

Kimberly A. Yates focuses her practice on labor and employment litigation, particularly in the areas of:

• Wage and hour collective and class action matters
• Restrictive covenant contracts and non-competes cases
• Discrimination and retaliation lawsuits

Originally from mid-Missouri, she currently resides in southern Illinois and predominately practices in Missouri and Illinois federal and state courts and represents clients across a multitude of industries, ranging from national restaurant chains and retailers to insurance brokerages and universities. She has specific experience with claims arising under:

• The Fair Labor Standards Act and Missouri Wage Laws
• Title VII
• The Americans with Disabilities Act
• The Family and Medical Leave Act
• The Missouri Human Rights Act
• Missouri and Illinois state laws governing the employment relationship

She also drafted substantial portions of Missouri's revised Dram Shop law, which was subjected to heavy judicial scrutiny and survived a constitutional challenge.

Additionally, Kim provides client counseling concerning risk management and compliance with state and federal employment laws. A frequent speaker and lecturer on labor and employment matters, she also trains executives and management on:

• Wage and hour compliance
• Personnel policies and practices
• Employee discipline and discharge
• Workplace safety

Kim is a member of the core team of the firm's Associates Committee and a member of the Talent Advisory Council.

In law school, Kim was lead articles editor for the Journal of Dispute Resolution. Prior to beginning a career in law, she worked for a global distribution company as a national account manager in its health and beauty care division and as a human resources executive.