Kathya M. Firlik, AWI-CH

Kathya Firlik is a partner in Burke’s Labor and Employment practice group. She assists public and private employers in various employment disputes, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour issues.

Beyond her dispute resolution work, Kathya regularly advises clients on a range of employment laws, including the Fair Employment and Housing Act, Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the California Family Rights Act, California sick leave laws, HIPPAA, the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act, and Meyers Milias Brown Act (MMBA). She routinely counsels clients on labor and employment issues such as employee discipline including termination proceedings, layoffs, grievances, medical leaves of absence, and disability accommodations.

Kathya provides transactional counsel to employers on their obligations under the MMBA and EERA. She negotiates collective bargaining agreements covering compensation, scheduling, seniority, advancement, and other employment conditions. She also advises on updating MOU language, bargaining strategy, good faith bargaining compliance, and closed session preparation.

An experienced workplace investigator and an Association of Workplace Investigators Certificate Holder (AWI-CH), Kathya also conducts independent investigations in the public and private sector. She has handled a wide range of complaints, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, fraud, workplace misconduct, violation of employer policies, mismanagement, and negligence. Kathya has investigated matters involving both sworn and non-sworn public sector employees. She regularly oversees and advises clients on investigations conducted by outside neutral investigators. Additionally, she provides guidance on the investigative process and related legal issues.