Karen Cain manages and defends against exposure in the employment arena for companies across a variety of industries. She conducts investigations of workplace conduct and is known for effectively, proactively addressing pre-litigation issues and for her hands-on defense of litigation when it arises.  She works to understand her client’s business and goals to develop proactive strategies for a legally compliant, productive, effective workplace.

Over the last 20 years, Karen has defended lawsuits in federal and state jurisdictions across the country, including managing the defense of nationwide EEOC investigations and class actions.  She has been called upon to intervene and stop serial litigation where a management team has become a focal point.  Karen also has extensive experience successfully defending arbitration agreements and prevailing in arbitration proceedings.

Karen’s breadth of experience includes defense of claims under:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

• Section 1981

• The American with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

• The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

• The Equal Pay Act (EPA)

• Kansas Act Against Discrimination (KAAD)

• Kansas Wage Payment Act (KWPA)

• Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA)

• The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)

• Federal Arbitration Act (FAA)

• Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

• Workers’ compensation statutes (retaliation)

• Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)

Karen also partners with clients on broad ranging day-to-day matters of employee attendance, discipline, and performance.

During law school, Karen was the Managing Editor for the Kansas Law Review and served as an intern for Judge Earl E. O’Connor, U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas