Judith Williams-Killackey

Trusted labor and employment advisor 

Judith Williams-Killackey is an experienced labor and employment counselor and litigator. She works with clients in the manufacturing, construction, health care, transit and other industries and has extensive experience advising clients on traditional labor issues and litigating in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies and arbitrators. Judi’s practice centers on:

• Labor and employment litigation
• Labor and employment counseling

Judi understands both the constantly evolving web of labor and employment laws and regulations and the operational complexities of being an employer, enabling her to become a trusted advisor to clients navigating both strategic employment and day-to-day issues and challenges. In particular, Judi advises clients on challenges in unionized environments and chairs the Labor & Employment Group’s National Labor Relations Act team.

• Advising on a full range of traditional labor law issues, including negotiating collective bargaining agreements, representing employers in unfair labor practice charges and arbitrations, and advising union employers on double-breasting, retiree health issues and withdrawal liability issues.
• Litigating labor and employment disputes, including class actions.
• Counseling employers on a full range of employment law issues, including strategic workforce management, employment handbook policies, FMLA, reductions in force, employee performance and terminations, and negotiating and drafting employment and severance agreements.
• Conducting workplace investigations, including investigating discrimination, sexual harassment and whistleblower claims.
• Advising clients regarding employment issues during acquisitions.

Labor counseling

• Successfully obtained decertification of union.
• Successfully defeated union campaign at manufacturing client.
• Obtained dismissal of charge alleging manufacturer engaged in unfair labor practice.
• Obtained favorable arbitration ruling on grievance regarding retiree health benefits.

Labor and employment litigation

• Obtained summary judgment on claim that company breached employment agreement. Decision was upheld on appeal to Wisconsin Court of Appeals.
• Obtained summary judgment regarding claims of race discrimination and retaliation brought by the EEOC.
• Obtained a favorable settlement for a construction company regarding class claims of failure to pay required wages to employees.
• Obtained summary judgment regarding claims of age discrimination by a former employee.
• Obtained dismissal of claims of disability discrimination and retaliation after hearing before the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division.
• Obtained dismissal of claims that a manufacturing company terminated employee in violation of the FMLA, ADA and Title VII.
• Defended a manufacturing concern in a putative class action regarding Title VII claims.
• Defended a government entity in a putative class action regarding employee benefits.
• Obtained dismissals of claims before the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
• Obtained dismissal of whistleblower claims.