Overview
An experienced labor and employment attorney, Kelsey Papst approaches matters from a pragmatic and solution-oriented mindset.
Kelsey serves both private and public sector clients in all areas of employment law. She is skilled at analyzing complex issues and distilling them into straightforward terms, and focuses on spotting issues that may have been overlooked.
Labor and Employment Law Compliance. Kelsey specializes in all aspects of employment laws, including the ADA, the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD), family and medical leave, pregnancy and parental leave laws, paid sick and safe leave, and Title VII. She regularly advises HR professionals on difficult leave and accommodation issues, particularly the intersection between the ADA, workers' compensation and the FMLA.
FLSA Compliance. Kelsey has significant experience advising clients on FLSA compliance and other wage and hour matters, including overtime and regular rate of pay calculations, meal and rest break compliance, and misclassification and exempt status reviews. She can assist with navigating payroll audits and making payroll corrections.
Risk Management. Kelsey is experienced in updating employee handbooks, drafting and revising policies, and providing updates on changes to labor and employment laws. She regularly advises HR professionals, managers, C-suite executives, and other stakeholders on risk management and HR strategy, such as DEI programs, workforce reductions, employment contracts, progressive discipline, and general policies and procedures. She is also trained in conducting workplace investigations and advises on investigatory best practices.
Workplace Training. Kelsey provides bespoke training and presentations to all audiences, including HR professionals, managers, executives, and employees.
Dispute Resolution. Kelsey is experienced in responding to EEOC charges, state and federal agency inquiries, and internal employee complaints. She frequently negotiates settlement and severance agreements with employees, unions, and opposing counsel. Kelsey also advises on labor matters, including union grievances, unfair labor practice charges, collective bargaining agreement interpretation, and informal dispute resolution.
Clients. Kelsey serves state and local public employers, as well as private employers ranging from small business owners to Fortune 100 companies. She has worked with correctional facilities, peace officers, and firefighters, and has represented employers in a variety of industries, including retailers, warehouses, transit, food production, real estate, construction, tech start-ups, healthcare, trucking and shipping, delivery and gig workers, and many others.
Credentials
Education
- The University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (JD, magna cum laude, 2009)
- Order of the Coif (2009); Traynor Honor Society (2009); Dean’s Honor List and Scholarship (2006-2009)
- University of California, San Diego (2004)
- Bachelor of Science, Psychology
Admissions
- Washington
- California
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
Awards & Accolades
- Certificate of Achievement, California Attorney General’s Office (2021) - In recognition of Ms. Papst’s work in the Employment and Administrative Mandate Section, particularly for her trial work and statewide eDiscovery presentation.
- Selected for Washington Super Lawyers "Rising Stars" list (2016-2018)
Memberships
- King County Bar Association
- Washington Bar Association
- California Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Publications & Speaking Engagements
- “Social Media in the Workplace”, Seattle City Attorney’s Office (November 2024) -- CLE Course for the Seattle City Attorney's Office
- "Personnel Files and Mandatory Reporting" (September 2024) -- Presentation for Seattle Public Utilities
- eDiscovery, Legal & Ethical Compliance and Relativity Training (April 2021) -- Statewide Training for the California Attorney General's Office
- eDiscovery for Attorneys (November 2019) -- Section training for the California Attorney General's Office
- “Ways to Decrease Attorneys’ Fees and Costs in Class Action Lawsuits” (February 2018) -- Littler Webinar for In-House Counsel
- “Navigating Pregnancy and Parental Leave Laws in California” (March 2016) -- Sacramento Area Human Resources Association March Legal Series Presentation
- “Wage Statement Compliance: An In-Depth Review of California Labor Code § 226”, California State Bar (December 2015) – Labor & Employment Law Section Webinar
- "Are Your Wage Statements in Compliance? An In-Depth Review of Labor Code § 226 (August 2015) -- Webinar for the Sacramento Area Human Resources Association
- "Wage & Hour Compliance" (April 2015) -- Littler Mendelson Breakfast Briefing
- “Managing Off-the-Clock Work Issues in the Modern World” (March 2015) -- Sacramento Area Human Resources Association March Legal Series Presentation
- “Technology and the Modern Practice of Law” (October 2014) -- Pacific McGeorge Global Lawyering Skills Presentation
- "California's Paid Sick Leave Law" (October 2014) -- Littler Mendelson Breakfast Briefing
- Author, “Protecting the Voiceless: Ensuring ICE’s Compliance with Standards that Protect Immigration Detainees” (January 2009) -- McGeorge Law Review Vol. 40, p. 261