Katherine M. Coleman
OF COUNSEL | CERTIFIED MEDIATOR
859.255.8581
An experienced education and employment attorney, Kacey’s practice as an employment litigator focuses on the defense of public and private employers against a multitude of allegations–including retaliation, harassment and discrimination. An NACM-certified mediator, Kacey applies the wealth of litigation experience she’s acquired over the course of her legal career to help settle disputes in Lexington and statewide. She mediates in numerous areas of the law, including but not limited to employment, education, business, and personal injury.
Kacey counsels employers in all aspects of the employment relationship—from hiring and firing practices, to drafting employee contracts and personnel policies, to regulatory compliance. In addition to her litigation work, Kacey is an effective teacher who regularly provides in-house discrimination and harassment training for public and private employers and their employees. She also has the ability to serve as a special investigator of employee misconduct when circumstances require the investigation be handled by an independent investigator.
Her knowledge of issues that affect higher education institutions, such as faculty tenure, hiring and dismissal, student discipline, and Title IX compliance, stems from her extensive work as counsel to colleges and universities, including her tenure as general counsel for Eastern Kentucky University. Kacey is proficient on Title IX matters and regularly conducts Title IX/Campus SaVE Act training for public and private universities. She has received advanced training in Title IX investigations from ATIXA (Association of Title IX Administrators).
Areas of Practice
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Successful defense of state institutions of higher education on claims related to tenure denial, Free Speech violations, and discrimination in employment and education.
Successful defense of state institutions of higher education and other state agencies in whistleblower actions.
Successful defense of public and private employers on claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, contract, and defamation.
High success rate of dismissal prior to trial.
Completed Advanced Title IX Investigation Training, Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA).
Instructor, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Eastern Kentucky University.
Instructor, Human Resources Certification and First Line Supervision Programs, Eastern Kentucky University.
Regularly conducts Title IX/Campus SaVE Act training for public and private institutions.
Regularly conducts discrimination and harassment training for public and private employers.
Eastern Kentucky University, General Counsel (1998-2003)
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Best Lawyers in America®: Employment Law - Management
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National Association of College and University Attorneys, Employment Law Section
National Association of Certified Mediators
Employment Law Alliance, Higher Education Council
Kentucky Bar Association
American Bar Association
Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys
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Authored “ERISA” Kentucky Employment Law Handbook (June 1992).
Terror Takes to the Skies; The Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, Adelphia Law Journal (Spring 1992).
Prehearing Discovery in Arbitration: An Advance or a Retreat?, Adelphia Law Journal (Fall 1991).
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#NotHere: Sexual Harassment Prevention, The Clean Show 2019 (National conference for the laundering, dry cleaning and textile services industry)
The ICE Man Cometh: Conducting an I-9 Audit, Kentucky Chapter, Association, of Legal Administrators (2018)
Socially Acceptable: Social Media in the Public Workplace, Kentucky League of Cities Annual Conference (2017)
Current Issues Under Title IX, University of Kentucky 2nd Biennial Education Law Conference (2017)
Legal/Legislative Higher Ed Update, Kentucky/Tennessee CUPA-HR Conference (2014-2016)
You Don’t Have to Go Home but You Can’t Stay Here, presentation for the University of Kentucky on the Americans with Disabilities Act (2016)
Tenure Review Workshop, Morehead State University (2015)
How to Conduct Effective Investigations, UK CLE Education Law Conference (2015)
The ICE Man Cometh: Conducting an I-9 Audit, Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management (KYSHRM) Annual Conference (2014)
Human Resources Legislative and Litigation Update, Kentucky College and University Professionals Association- Human Resources (2014)
Discrimination & Harassment in the Workplace, Greater Lexington Paralegal Association (2014)
Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) & Immigrant Status (H1-B), Kentucky Community and Technical College System Human Resources Conference (2014)
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University of Kentucky, J.D.
University of Kentucky, B.B.A.