Kathy R. Neal

Kathy Neal’s practice is focused in two areas: the representation of employers with respect to all aspects of their relationship with employees; and litigation of commercial disputes. She has broad experience in both state and federal courts, before administrative and regulatory agencies, and in arbitration and mediation.

Kathy’s employment litigation expertise includes defense of claims of discrimination, wrongful and retaliatory discharge, breach of contract, enforcement of non-competition and confidentiality agreements, wage and hour disputes, and disputes over the payment of commissions.

She has successfully litigated commercial claims involving breach of contract, fraudulent conveyances, bulk sales, intentional interference with contractual relations, fraud, and manufacturers’ products liability.

A significant portion of her employment practice is also dedicated to educating, training and counseling clients on litigation avoidance strategies and compliance with state and federal laws and regulations affecting the workplace. In addition to being a frequent trainer, lecturer and writer on employment-related issues, Kathy routinely counsels clients in connection with employee discipline and terminations, wage and hour issues, employee handbooks and policies, drug and alcohol testing, employee leave and disability, and employment and post-employment agreements.

Kathy has assisted national and regional employers with the implementation of reductions-in-force and group severance programs requiring compliance with the federal Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification (WARN) Act and Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA).

She has also defended organizations against claims of disability and race discrimination under the Fair Housing Act.

Kathy has particularly unique experience counseling employers that are federal contractors on equal employment opportunity compliance-related matters overseen by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), representing employers in OFCCP audit proceedings, and defending employers undergoing investigation by the OFCCP for discrimination. If any violations are found, her representation includes negotiating reduced fines and penalties as part of the conciliation process.

Kathy currently serves as an adjunct settlement judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma and previously served as an administrative law judge for the Oklahoma Department of Labor.

Kathy’s achievements have earned her inclusion in the Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, where she was described as “enormously intelligent and well thought of…” Researchers at Chambers & Partners also quoted market observers who praised her as “a great problem solver and a skilled writer.” She has been recognized by her clients and peers for her skills in employment law and commercial litigation, resulting in her inclusion in Benchmark Litigation, The Best Lawyers in America (commercial litigation; employment law–management; labor law–management; labor and employment litigation) and Oklahoma Super Lawyers, which has named her to its lists of “Top 25 Women Lawyers” and “Top 50 Oklahoma Lawyers.” She was selected by Best Lawyers as the “Tulsa Employment Lawyer of the Year (Management)” for 2013 and 2017, “Tulsa Labor and Employment Litigation Lawyer of the Year” for 2015 and 2019, and “Tulsa Labor Law Lawyer of the Year (Management)” for 2016, honors given to a single lawyer in each legal specialty in each community.