Alert 02.12.26
Fourth Circuit Holds That Anti-DEI Executive Orders Are Likely Not Facially Unconstitutional
The Order vacates a district court’s preliminary injunction, which had been temporarily stayed by the Fourth Circuit last year.
T: +1.202.663.8099
Laura Killalea advises across a variety of industries and issues, including labor and employment law, public policy strategy and regulatory compliance.
Laura’s experience includes drafting and revising employment policies and agreements; providing advice on a broad range of employment law matters, including Title VII and state anti-discrimination laws, the FMLA and related state statutes, and wage and hour issues; conducting due diligence for transactions; assisting in labor negotiations; drafting position statements in response to agency charges; conducting positive employee relations and sexual harassment avoidance trainings; and working on internal investigations. Laura leverages her prior legislative experience to ensure clients’ compliance with evolving federal and state employment laws.
Representative Experience
Publications
- “Employers Face Greater Misclassification Risk Under Resurrected Federal Independent Contractor Rule, Opening Door to Substantial Liability,” Employee Relations Law Journal, Vol. 50, No. 1 Summer 2024. Authors: Kenneth Taber, Rebecca Carr Rizzo, Andrea Milano, Julia Judish, Laura Killalea
Professional Highlights
Speaking Engagements
- “The State of DEI in America – Recent Cases and Legislative Developments,” presentation to Manufacturers Alliance, October 2023.
Education
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J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 2022
with high honors, Order of the Coif; Journal of Environmental and Energy LawB.A., University of Virginia, 2013
with academic distinction in English Literature
Admissions
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District of Columbia
Laura's Insights
Press Release 11.03.25
Alert 10.10.25
Press Release 09.30.25
Alert 08.04.25
Attorney General Bondi Issues Guidance to Recipients of Federal Funding “Regarding Unlawful Discrimination”
The guidance identifies various practices that will be construed as unlawful discrimination and suggests “best practices” for institutions to avoid violations.
Press Release 07.18.25
Alert 03.17.25
Press Release 02.26.25
Alert 02.24.25
Awards & Rankings 02.10.25
Press Release 02.04.25
Press Release 02.04.25
Press Release 01.29.25
Press Release 12.11.24
Press Release 12.09.24
Press Release 11.21.24
Press Release 09.11.24
Alert 09.10.24
District Court Ruling Bars Federal Trade Commission Non-Compete Rule for the Near Term
With further proceedings anticipated, and in light of the numerous state law restrictions on non-competes, employers should continue to act with caution when presenting employees with non-compete agreements.
Press Release 06.04.24
Alert 05.10.24
The Department of Labor Significantly Increases Salary Thresholds for Overtime Exemptions
The Department estimates that the changes will affect approximately 4.3 million employees in the first year of implementation and cost employers $803 million over the first 10 years of implementation.