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Biography

Laura L. Mays practices in the areas of insurance defense, medical practice defense, products liability, premise liability, employment litigation, and toxic tort litigation. She has appellate experience in both state and federal appellate courts. Ms. Mays has extensive experience defending management and corporate clients against employment-related claims. She has litigated numerous discrimination and retaliation claims arising from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Whistleblower Act, the Kentucky Civil Rights Act, the Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Act and other federal, state, and local employment-related statues. She has experience with injunctive proceedings, evidentiary hearings, mediations and arbitrations, and appellate work.

In addition to employment litigation, Ms. Mays works alongside employers to guide them through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigative process after charges are filed.  She provides strategic advice and counsel on all aspects of employment relationships, including executive and employment agreements, audits, training, employee handbooks and policies, and compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.   

Memberships & Awards

Professional
Kentucky Super Lawyers “Rising Stars”(2014-2016)
The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2023-Present)

Key Experience

Arbitration counsel for national retailer for matters related to negligent installation during construction
Obtained dismissal in federal court for home improvement retailer against claims of malicious prosecution in a case of mistaken identity resulting in arrest and improper imprisonment
Litigated claims of negligent installation during construction for home improvement retailer

Work Experience

2018 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
2016 Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A.
2006-2016 Stites & Harbison PLLC

Speaking Engagements

“Employment Law Updates 2017,” KyCPA/Kentucky Association of Manufacturing Conference, Louisville, KY, June 20, 2017

“FLSA: Wage and Hour White Collar Exemption,” Kentucky Association for Healthcare Facilities, Lexington, KY, June 2016

“FLSA: Wage and Hour White Collar Exemption,” Kentucky Association of Manufacturing, Florence, KY, August 2016

“FLSA: Wage and Hour White Collar Exemption,” Associated Builders and Contractors, Lexington, KY and Louisville, KY, August 2016

"Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Employment Context," Human Resource Law from Start to Finish, National Business Institute, Lexington, KY, February 5, 2014

"Affordable Care Act and Other Developments," Human Resource Law from Start to Finish, National Business Institute, Lexington, KY, February 5, 2014

"FMLA Update 2013," Kentucky Chamber of Commerce 25th Annual HR Update, Lexington, KY, May 31, 2013

"Retaliation Claims," Employment Law: Beyond the Basics, Sterling Education Services, Lexington, KY, July 17, 2012