Katelyn O’Connor

Katie O’Connor is a principal in the Pittsburgh office of Jackson Lewis.

Katie is a steadfast, diligent advocate for companies in a myriad of employment disputes, ranging from employment discrimination to wage and hour to ERISA claims, and everything in between. Katie has litigated individual as well as more complex class and collective actions to successful resolution in state and federal court, including:  

• Secured summary judgment in an individual discrimination claim alleging violations of Title VII and the Family Medical Leave Act on behalf of a healthcare provider
• Opposed motion for conditional certification on behalf of a television provider
• Secured dismissal of wage-and-hour claims and compelled said claims to arbitration on behalf of energy producer
• Secured summary judgment in a disability discrimination and wrongful termination claim on behalf of a construction company

In addition to her litigation experience, Katie counsels clients on a variety of workplace issues to mitigate and reduce employment-related issues. Her counsel includes reviewing and revising employee policies, reviewing and counseling management on termination decisions, and performing employment and wage audits. Katie provides training to managers, supervisors, and human resource practitioners in all areas of employment law, including leave management and sexual harassment and discrimination prevention.

Katie frequently speaks on employment-related issues, including the impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace and developments in wage-and-hour law.

When she is not working, Katie is spending time with her husband, Corey, and their young children, Molly and Emmett.  They can frequently be found walking their double stroller around Squirrel Hill or, if she can sneak away for a few hours, on a golf course or at a spin class. Katie also loves reading and travel.  

Pro Bono and Community Involvement

• Literacy Pittsburgh, Member, Board of Directors

Published Works

• “AI In The Workplace – Important Considerations And Things Employers Need To Do Now,” Pittsburgh Human Resources Association Perspectives (May 2024) [Co-Author]
• “Important Updates For Federal Contractors,” Pittsburgh Human Resources Association Perspectives (July 2022) [Co-Author]

Speaking Engagements

• “Employee Rights,” Pittsburgh Human Resources Association, Employment Law & Compliance Conference (Virtual, November 2024) (presenter)
• “The Evolving Legal Landscape Governing Independent Contractors and Joint Employment,“ Allegheny County Bar Association, Second Annual ACBA Labor and Employment Law Symposium (Pittsburgh, PA, November 2024) (co-presenter)