Kelli M. Kennaday, Esq.
PRACTICE AREAS
Education
- University of California, Davis – J.D. (1991)
- University of California, San Diego – B.A. (1988)
BIOGRAPHY
Kelli M. Kennaday is a partner and chairs the Labor and Employment practice. Ms. Kennaday litigates employment disputes before all California state and federal courts and administrative agencies, including claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, unfair competition, and violations of the ADA, FMLA, and Labor Code. Ms. Kennaday also litigates wage and hour claims, including class actions. Ms. Kennaday advises employers on best practices relating to hiring, discipline, terminations, employee handbooks, contracts and training. Ms. Kennaday also publishes a quarterly newsletter for her clients on recent developments in California and federal employment law and is a frequent lecturer on employment law topics for professional and trade associations, bar associations and CLE providers.
LEGAL EMPLOYMENT
Wilke, Fleury, Hoffelt, Gould & Birney, LLP
400 Capitol Mall, 22nd Floor
Sacramento, California 95814
1991 to the present
Partner and Chair, Labor and Employment Law Section, 1997-present
Executive Committee, 2008-present
EDUCATION
University of California, Davis School of Law
Juris Doctorate 1991
National Order of Barristers
Roger J. Traynor Moot Court Competition State Semi-Finalist
American Jurisprudence Award Recipient, Constitutional Law
University of California, San Diego
Bachelor of Arts, Biochemistry/Cell Biology 1988
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology 1988
Regents’ Scholar
Provost Honors List
SEMINARS/PRESENTATIONS
Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, 2008
Metro Chamber Executive Briefing:
Wage and Hour – Current and Future Efforts to
Modernize the State’s Wage and Hour Laws
Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association, 2007
Update on New Developments in Employment Law
Ulrich, Nash & Gump, Inc., 2005
Recent Developments in Sexual Harassment
Ulrich, Nash & Gump, Inc., 2005
Recent Developments in Wage and Hour Law
California Society of Dermatology Annual Meeting, 2005
Employment Law: What Physicians Need to Know
Council on Education in Management, 2004
California Personnel Law Update 2004
Protecting Your Organization from Mounting
Workplace Harassment, Retaliation and Whistleblower Claims
California Society of Dermatology Annual Meeting, 2002
Employment Law Primer for the Medical Practitioner
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES
Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance, 2008-present
Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, 2008-present
Wonder, Inc Mentor, 2006-2007
State Bar of California
Labor and Employment Law Section, 1999-present
Sacramento County Barristers’ Club
Past-President, 1997
President, 1996
Vice-President, 1995
Board Member, 1994
Sacramento County Bar Association
Bar Council, 1996-1997
Sacramento Ballet Board of Trustees
Board member and Officer, 1994-1997
Chair, Fund Development Committee, 1995-1997
American Inns of Court, 1991-1993
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
- Wage and Hour Class Action
Successfully defended international high-tech consulting firm in a wage and hour class action alleging mis-classification of software programmers, failure to pay overtime and violation of final pay rules. The trial court decertified the class and the decision was upheld by the Second District Court of Appeal.
- Federal Civil Rights Case
Successfully defended individual accused of violating the plaintiff’s civil rights under 42 U.S.C. section 1983. Obtained summary judgment in the federal Eastern District Court on 10 separate claims.
- Whistleblower Retaliation Case
Successfully defended at trial a major accounting firm accused of retaliating against a whistleblower. Awarded significant costs against the plaintiff following trial based upon a Section 998 offer.
- Sexual Harassment Case
Prevailed on 29 motions in limine during the trial of a sexual harassment case against a national managed health care company, resulting in a favorable settlement during trial.
- Race Discrimination Case
Succeeded in having claim transferred to bankruptcy estate after discovering the plaintiff had concealed the claim from the bankruptcy trustee. The trustee agreed to a de minimis settlement.
Employment Publications
- Navigating the Rocky Shoals of Layoffs, Furloughs and RIFs – Wilke Fleury – Labor and Employment News, (May 2009)
- Discrimination, Retaliation, and You: The original victim of discrimination is not the only one who can sue – Wilke Fleury – Labor and Employment News, (May 2009)
- The “Me Too” Evidence Phenomenon: Disgruntled Employees Can Hurt You Even If They Don’t File Lawsuits – Wilke Fleury – Labor and Employment News, (August 2008)
- HR Update: Missed Meal and Rest Periods Cost Employers Millions – Wilke Fleury – Labor and Employment News, (May 2008)
- Supreme Court Allows Employees to Seek Compensation for Missed Meal and Rest Breaks for Three Year Period – Wilke Fleury – Labor and Employment News, (May 2007)
- Failure To Notify Employee Of Cobra Rights May Subject Employer To Liability – Wilke Fleury – Labor and Employment News, (2006)
- New Defense for Employers in Harassment Cases: How Your Diligence Can Protect You From Multimillion Dollar Claims – Wilke Fleury – Labor and Employment News, (2004)
- Common Sense Tips for Avoiding and Preventing Employment-Related Claims – Wilke Fleury – Labor and Employment News, (2002)
- The High Cost of Misclassifying Your Employees – Wilke Fleury – Labor and Employment News, (2001)
- Covenants Not to Compete – Not Only Unenforceable in California, They May Subject You to Liability – Wilke Fleury – Labor and Employment News, (2001)
- Dealing with Disgruntled Employees: Proceed with Caution – Wilke Fleury – Labor and Employment News, (2000)
- California Adopts New Overtime Requirements for Veterinarians and Technicians Who Provide Animal Care – California Veterinary Medical Association Update, (2000)
General Publications
- Moving Away From the Traditional Managing Partner Model: One Firm’s Journey – For the Defense: Annual Law Practice Management Review, (November 2010)
Practicing: Appellate Advocacy, Employment
