Kate has 15 years of experience as a trial lawyer. Her trial and appellate practice focuses on the representation of insurance companies, municipalities, individuals and businesses in tort and employment litigation in federal and state court. These claims range from defense of excessive force claims to employment discrimination claims. Kate also practices in the area of municipal law and serves as the municipal prosecutor for a number of municipalities. Kate understands the stress that lawsuits cause and offers her clients an honest and practical approach to efficiently resolve their cases.
Kate is a member of Boardman Clark’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Action (IDEA) Group.
Admitted to Practice
- Wisconsin State Circuit Courts
- United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Representative Work
- Eric T. Alston v. City of Madison, et al., No. 16-1034
- Andrew Oemig v. Town of Lowell, 2011, AP1454
- Debra W. Ring et al v. Thomas C. Coyle, 2008, AP312
- Franklin F. Cook v. Town of Greensfield, 2006, AP2119
Honors & Recognition
- Named to the Wisconsin Super Lawyers® list
- Rising Star, 2011-2019
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2016-2017
- Up and Coming Lawyer, Wisconsin Law Journal, 2014
- Top 40 Litigation Lawyer Under 40, American Society of Legal Advocates, 2013
- Top Attorneys – Wisconsin Outstanding Young Lawyers, American Registry, 2012
- CALI Awards: Trial Advocacy, Legal Writing & Research, Employment Law, and Military Law
See our disclaimer regarding third-party awards.
Presentations, Publications, & Contributions
- Author, "Tackling Your First Appellate Oral Argument," Wisconsin Defense Counsel Journal, 2017
- Author, "Lessons Learned from the Other Side," Wisconsin Defense Counsel Journal, 2015
- Presenter, "Refresher on Governmental & Qualified Immunity," Wisconsin County Mutual Insurance Corporation's 24th Annual Corporation Counsel/Defense Counsel Forum
- Presenter, "Insurance Issues in Dog Bite Cases," Wisconsin Association for Justice Summer Conference
- Presenter, "An Overview of OWI Cases from Both Sides of the Courtroom," Wisconsin Solo and Small Firm Conference
- Presenter, "Plaintiff's Guide to Dog Bite Litigation," National Business Institute
- Presenter, "Illegal Job References," Sly in the Morning
- Presenter, "Drinking and Driving from a Prosecutor's Prospective," Sly in the Morning
- Presenter, "Appeals Process & Procedure," Madison Area Paralegal Association
Community Involvement & Board Memberships
- Pro bono attorney for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
- High school volleyball coach at La Follette High School
- Volunteer tutor for Literacy Network
- Girl Scouts Badgerland
- Board Member
- Secretary
Professional Memberships
- State Bar of Wisconsin
- Dane County Bar Association
- Wisconsin Defense Counsel
Education
- J.D., Marquette University Law School, 2006
- B.A., Political Science, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2002
Kate’s Select Writing & Presentations
Is the United States Supreme Court Signaling a Change in Its Treatment of Qualified Immunity?
Municipal Law Newsletter | 04.01.21
Trent Taylor was a Texas prisoner who entered a psychiatric unit for medical attention following a suicide attempt. Instead of providing treatment, prison officials stripped Mr. Taylor of his clothing, including his underwear, and placed him in a cell where almost every surface—including the floor, ceiling, windows, and walls—was covered in “massive amounts” of human feces belonging to previous occupants. Mr. Taylor was unable to eat because he feared that any food in the cell would become contaminated, and feces “packed inside the water faucet” prevented him from drinking water for days. The prison officials were well aware of these conditions, and at one point laughed that Mr. Taylor was “going to have a long weekend.”