Katherine E. McLaughlin

Representative Experience

• Obtained dismissal of numerous employment discrimination charges before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
• Represented employer in a favorable resolution of a Title VII claim.
• Assisted in the representation of several federal contractors in OFCCP compliance audits.

Education & Admissions

Education

• Cleveland State University College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2021
  • Editor-in-Chief, Cleveland State Law Review (2020 – 2021)
  • CALI Award— Excellence for the Future (2020)
• Wittenberg University, B.A., Psychology, 2014

Bar and Court Admissions

• State of Ohio
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio

Involvement

Professional Affiliations

• Ohio Women’s Bar Association, Member
• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, LGBTQ+ Committee Member
• Ohio State Bar Association, Member
• Cleveland Employment American Inn of Court, Member (2022 – Present)

Community Involvement

• Cleveland Leadership Center, OnBoard Cleveland (Class of 2024)
• Plexus LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors (2024 – Present)
  •  Member, Young Professionals Committee (2023 – Present)

Firm Involvement

• Women’s Initiative, Member (2022-Present)
• Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee, Member (2022-Present)

Awards & Honors

• Named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch^® list in Labor and Employment Law (2024 – Present)
• Named to Ohio Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list (2025)

Publications

• “Key Reminders For Employers During EEO-1 Data Collection Season,” Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator (October 2024)
• “Not-So-Friendly Reminders from the NLRB to Review Your Severance Agreements and Employee Handbooks,” Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator (July 2024)
• “EEOC Issues Final Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Regulations.” Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator (April 2024)
• “New Year, New OSHA Reporting Requirements: What OSHA’s Final Injury and Illness Tracking Rule Means for Employers,” Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator (January 2023)
• “Getting Into the Weeds: How The Outcome of Ohio Issue 2 May Impact Employers,”Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator (October 2023)
• “Employers: Make Sure You’re Crystal Clear on Pay Transparency,”  Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator (June 2023)
• “The Five Deadly Sins of Employee Handbooks,” Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator (April 2023)
• “Addressing Today’s Problem and Avoiding Tomorrow’s Tragedy: Employer Tactics for Responding to and Preventing Workplace Violence,” Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator (January 2023)
• “Are 4-Day Work Weeks Right 4 Employers?” Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Navigator (January 2023)

Presentations & Lectures

• “Legal and Practical Considerations When Using AI, Data, and Information Technology in Your Workplace” (Co-Presenter) Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Seminar (June 2024)
• “Let’s Be Blunt: Advising Clients on Cannabis Testing Policies.” (Co-Presenter) Cleveland Employment Inn of Court (February 2024)
• “Avoiding Ill-Eagle Hiring Practices.” (Co-Presenter) Frantz Ward Labor & Employment Seminar (June 2023)
• “A Day in the Life – Managing Your Practice.” Cleveland State University College of Law/CSU College of Law Presentation (February 2023)