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Katherin Nukk-Freeman, ESQ.

Partner & Co-Founder / DEI Committee Member

Katherin Nukk-Freeman is the co-founder of Nukk-Freeman & Cerra PC. Leveraging more than 20 years of success as a trusted advisor to corporate leaders, Katherin enables companies to proactively address and effectively manage workplace issues related to harassment and discrimination complaints, unconscious bias, disability and leave law, wage and hour disputes, social media risks, staff reductions in force, and high-risk terminations. Katherin works with human resources management professionals providing expert guidance and instruction enabling them to better manage and proactively address their training programs and many other employment law issues thereby avoiding costly litigation for their companies.

As a dynamic employment law training instructor and industry thought leader, Katherin partners with clients to develop and implement strategies to manage risk, comply with the law, increase productivity and create an overall better workplace. Katherin is a frequent presenter on employment law issues and has authored countless articles on current employment law “hot topics”. As a champion for forward-looking employment law solutions, Katherin is considered the industry leader on the subject of addressing “Unconscious Bias” in the workplace.

Selected as a WPO Women 2 Watch member 2019
Named a New Jersey Law Journal “New Jersey Trailblazer” 2019
AV® Preeminent™ Rating, Martindale Hubbell
Tier 1 “Best Law Firm” Employment Law Management & Litigation – Labor & Employment by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”
Recognized by Best Lawyers® Since 2018
Listed in Super Lawyers®, Employment & Labor 2010-2020
“Top 100”, New Jersey Super Lawyers® 2011-2017
2019-2020
“Top 50 Women”, New Jersey Super Lawyers® 2011–2015
2019-2020
Listed in Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Law Firms, Labor & Employment 2010–2017
Recognized by Martindale-Hubbell and American Lawyer Magazine as one of the “New York Area’s Top AV Rated Lawyers” 2014
Named to “Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs” by Leading Women Entrepreneurs and NJ Monthly Magazine 2012
“Women’s Business Enterprise Star”, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) 2009
“Top 50 Women in Business”, NJ BIZ 2009
Named one of Business News New Jersey’s “40 Under 40 Outstanding Achievers” 2002
Recipient of “Twin Award”, a Tribute to Women and Industry 2003

AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM and Martindale-Hubbell NotableSM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards and policies. A description of the selection methodology can be found at www.martindale.com/Products_and_Services/Peer_Review/Methodology.aspx. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

The Super Lawyers® list is issued by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found at http://www.superlawyers.com/about/selection_process.html. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

The Chambers USA Ranking is issued by Chambers & Partners. A description of the selection methodology can be found at http://www.chambersandpartners.com/methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

The “Best Law Firms” Rankings list is issued by U.S. News & World Report. A description of the selection methodology can be found at https://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/methodology.aspx. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Professional Experience
Gibbons, Del Deo, Dolan, Griffinger & Vecchione, PC., Newark, NJ Partner 2000-2006
Gibbons, Del Deo, Dolan, Griffinger & Vecchione, PC., Newark, NJ Associate 1996–2000
Downey, Brand, Seymour and Rohwer, Sacramento, CA Associate 1993–1996
Professional Activities
ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc., Board of Directors 2018-Present
C200 Protege Program, Member 2014-Present
National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) 2009-Present
Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, Advisory Board Member 2009–Present
Women Presidents' Organization 2002–Present
Women Presidents' Organization, Platinum membership 2002-Present
Executive Committee, Labor and Employment Law Section of the New Jersey Bar Association 2010-2017
Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, Board of Directors 2013-2016
New York Society of Security Analysts, Board of Directors 2010-2014
Board of Trustees, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Human Resources Committee 2004-2010
The Healthcare Marketing & Communications Council, General Counsel to Board of Trustees 2005-2009

 

Boston College Law School J.D. 1993
Pennsylvania State University B.S., Dual Major: Finance & Accounting, Honors University Scholars Program 1990

State of New Jersey
State of California
United States District Court – District of New Jersey
United States District Court – Eastern District of California
Publications
Quoted in “It’s Not Always Clear What Constitutes Sexual Harassment. Use this Tool to Navigate the Gray Areas”, Harvard Business Review June 19, 2018
Quoted in “Female Employment Lawyers Find Edge in Starting Own Firms“, Bloomberg BNA, Business of Law Feature June 29, 2017
“Achieving Balance: Suzanne M. Cerra and Katherin Nukk-Freeman Reveal How a Flexible, Team-Based Business Model Benefits Fee-Earners and Clients“, co-authored with Suzanne M. Cerra, Esq, Managing Partner Magazine (Volume 15 Issue 2) 2012
“COBRA Subsidies Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: How Will They Impact Businesses?”, co-authored with Suzanne M. Cerra, Esq., New Jersey Defense (Volume 25, Issue 2) 2009
"We Can Have it All”, New Jersey Women Lawyer’s Association Gala Journal, co-authored with Suzanne M. Cerra, Esq. 2009
“FMLA Violations – Do Your Merit Increase and Bonus Plans Comply?”, The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel 2005
“FMLA Violations – Do Your Merit Increase and Bonus Plans Comply?”, The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel 2005
Speaking Engagements
“Understanding Generational Diversity in the Workplace”, co-speaker with John MacDonald, Partner, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, ACCNJ Virtual Summit December 2020
“How to Be An Upstander in the Face of Racism”, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra PC Hot Topics in Employment Law Seminar November 2020
“Geographical Disruption – Adapting to the New Normal”, Financial Times Outstanding Directors Exchange (ODX) Roundtable October 2020
“Artificial Intelligence – Is Its Impact on the Workplace ‘Smart’ Business?” Association of Corporate Counsel New Jersey Annual Conference September 2020
How to Be an Upstander: Intervening in Racism in the Legal Workplace, Lawline CLE Program September 2020
How to Be an Upstander in the Face of Racism, ACCNJ Live Webinar Presentation August 2020
How to Be an Upstander in the Face of Racism, Live Webinar CLE Program, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, PC July 2020
“Breaking the Barrier: Combating Biases in a Multi-Generational Workforce”, Goldman Sachs CLE Program May 2020
COVID-19 Awareness: Employment Law Q&A #5, Return to Work 2.0 – Getting your Workforce Back into the Workplace, Live Webinar, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra May 2020
COVID-19 Awareness: Employment Law Q&A #2, Live Webinar, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, PC April 2020
COVID-19 Awareness: Employment Law Q&A, Exploring Employer’s most commonly asked employment law questions relating to the Coronavirus pandemic, Live Webinar, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, PC March 2020
Challenges of Managing a Multi-Generational Workforce – Breaking the Barriers, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra PC Hot Topics in Employment Law Seminar November 2019
Artificial Intelligence & Unconscious Bias, Prudential MWOLF Conference November 2019
Connecting Diversity & Inclusion Goals to Executive Compensation, NJ Association of Corporate Counsel September 2019
Sexual Harassment: Lessons Learned from Scandals & Strategies to Mitigate Risk, Get5 January 2018
Essential Tactics to Combat Unconscious Bias, NFP December 2017
Whose Responsibility is Diversity & Inclusion in the Legal Profession?, Panel Presentation to the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession, Morgan Stanley, New York October 2017
Strategies to Combat Unconscious Bias in the Workplace: Why Raising Awareness is Not Enough, HR Star Conference, San Francisco July 2017
Essential Tactics to Combat Unconscious Bias in the Workplace, HR Star Conference, Los Angeles 2017
Sexual Harassment & Bystander Intervention, Panelist, EEOC New York District Seminar June 2017
Essential Tactics to Combat Unconscious Bias, New Jersey Hospital Association March 2017
Essential Tactics to Combat Unconscious Bias in the Workplace, HR Star Conference, San Francisco 2016
Beyond the Bathroom: Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace, presented at Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, PC Hot Topics in Employment Law Round Table November 2016
Beyond the Bathroom: Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace, presented at Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, PC In-House Counsel Lunch Seminar October 2016
Essential Tactics to Combat Unconscious Bias in the Workplace, presented to Bank of America, Legal Department June 2016
The Americans with Disabilities Act: How to Avoid the 5 Most Common Compliance Challenges, Webinar, presented by the NAMWOLF Labor & Employment Practice Area Committee April 2016
Are your Hiring Practices Creating Costly Turnover?, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, Webinar February 2016
Essential Tactics to Combat Unconscious Bias in the Workplace, presented to Panasonic North America February 2016
Essential Tactics to Combat Unconscious Bias in the Workplace, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, Hot Topics in Employment Law Round Table November 2015
2015 Overview of the Most Significant Judicial Decisions & Legislative Updates of 2015, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, Hot Topics in Employment Law Round Table November 2015
Surviving the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Employment Law Symposium presented by Nukk-Freeman & Cerra and USI April 2015
Identifying and Combatting Unconscious Bias in the Workplace, Employment Law Symposium presented by Nukk-Freeman & Cerra and USI April 2015
Legal Issues Surrounding Background Checks and Workplace Violence, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey March 2015
Background Checks: Ensuring that Your Policies and Processes Comply, New Jersey Law Journal In-House Counsel Seminar March 2015
Hot Topics in Employment Law, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey November 2014
Hot Topics in Employment Law, presented to Women Presidents Organization, Somerset Chapter October 2014
Hot Topics in Employment Law, presented to Women Presidents Organization, Bergen Chapter November 2014
Hot Tips in Labor and Employment, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education June 2014
Labor and Employment Law Update, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education Business Law Symposium April 2014
Conducting an Effective Workplace Investigation, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra Webinar Presentation February 2014
Social Media and Workplace Harassment Issues, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education January 2014
Board of Trustees, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Parliamentarian and Human Resources Committee 2004 - 2010
Awards & Honors
Selected as a WPO Women 2 Watch member 2019
Named a New Jersey Law Journal “New Jersey Trailblazer” 2019
AV® Preeminent™ Rating, Martindale Hubbell
Tier 1 “Best Law Firm” Employment Law Management & Litigation – Labor & Employment by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”
Recognized by Best Lawyers® Since 2018
Listed in Super Lawyers®, Employment & Labor 2010-2020
“Top 100”, New Jersey Super Lawyers® 2011-2017
2019-2020
“Top 50 Women”, New Jersey Super Lawyers® 2011–2015
2019-2020
Listed in Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Law Firms, Labor & Employment 2010–2017
Recognized by Martindale-Hubbell and American Lawyer Magazine as one of the “New York Area’s Top AV Rated Lawyers” 2014
Named to “Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs” by Leading Women Entrepreneurs and NJ Monthly Magazine 2012
“Women’s Business Enterprise Star”, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) 2009
“Top 50 Women in Business”, NJ BIZ 2009
Named one of Business News New Jersey’s “40 Under 40 Outstanding Achievers” 2002
Recipient of “Twin Award”, a Tribute to Women and Industry 2003

AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM and Martindale-Hubbell NotableSM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards and policies. A description of the selection methodology can be found at www.martindale.com/Products_and_Services/Peer_Review/Methodology.aspx. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

The Super Lawyers® list is issued by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found at http://www.superlawyers.com/about/selection_process.html. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

The Chambers USA Ranking is issued by Chambers & Partners. A description of the selection methodology can be found at http://www.chambersandpartners.com/methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

The “Best Law Firms” Rankings list is issued by U.S. News & World Report. A description of the selection methodology can be found at https://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/methodology.aspx. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Professional Experience
Gibbons, Del Deo, Dolan, Griffinger & Vecchione, PC., Newark, NJ Partner 2000-2006
Gibbons, Del Deo, Dolan, Griffinger & Vecchione, PC., Newark, NJ Associate 1996–2000
Downey, Brand, Seymour and Rohwer, Sacramento, CA Associate 1993–1996
Professional Activities
ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc., Board of Directors 2018-Present
C200 Protege Program, Member 2014-Present
National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) 2009-Present
Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, Advisory Board Member 2009–Present
Women Presidents' Organization 2002–Present
Women Presidents' Organization, Platinum membership 2002-Present
Executive Committee, Labor and Employment Law Section of the New Jersey Bar Association 2010-2017
Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, Board of Directors 2013-2016
New York Society of Security Analysts, Board of Directors 2010-2014
Board of Trustees, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Human Resources Committee 2004-2010
The Healthcare Marketing & Communications Council, General Counsel to Board of Trustees 2005-2009
Law Education
Boston College Law School J.D. 1993
Undergraduate Education
Pennsylvania State University B.S., Dual Major: Finance & Accounting, Honors University Scholars Program 1990
Bar Admissions
State of New Jersey
State of California
United States District Court – District of New Jersey
United States District Court – Eastern District of California
Publications
Quoted in “It’s Not Always Clear What Constitutes Sexual Harassment. Use this Tool to Navigate the Gray Areas”, Harvard Business Review June 19, 2018
Quoted in “Female Employment Lawyers Find Edge in Starting Own Firms“, Bloomberg BNA, Business of Law Feature June 29, 2017
“Achieving Balance: Suzanne M. Cerra and Katherin Nukk-Freeman Reveal How a Flexible, Team-Based Business Model Benefits Fee-Earners and Clients“, co-authored with Suzanne M. Cerra, Esq, Managing Partner Magazine (Volume 15 Issue 2) 2012
“COBRA Subsidies Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: How Will They Impact Businesses?”, co-authored with Suzanne M. Cerra, Esq., New Jersey Defense (Volume 25, Issue 2) 2009
"We Can Have it All”, New Jersey Women Lawyer’s Association Gala Journal, co-authored with Suzanne M. Cerra, Esq. 2009
“FMLA Violations – Do Your Merit Increase and Bonus Plans Comply?”, The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel 2005
“FMLA Violations – Do Your Merit Increase and Bonus Plans Comply?”, The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel 2005
Speaking Engagements
“Understanding Generational Diversity in the Workplace”, co-speaker with John MacDonald, Partner, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, ACCNJ Virtual Summit December 2020
“How to Be An Upstander in the Face of Racism”, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra PC Hot Topics in Employment Law Seminar November 2020
“Geographical Disruption – Adapting to the New Normal”, Financial Times Outstanding Directors Exchange (ODX) Roundtable October 2020
“Artificial Intelligence – Is Its Impact on the Workplace ‘Smart’ Business?” Association of Corporate Counsel New Jersey Annual Conference September 2020
How to Be an Upstander: Intervening in Racism in the Legal Workplace, Lawline CLE Program September 2020
How to Be an Upstander in the Face of Racism, ACCNJ Live Webinar Presentation August 2020
How to Be an Upstander in the Face of Racism, Live Webinar CLE Program, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, PC July 2020
“Breaking the Barrier: Combating Biases in a Multi-Generational Workforce”, Goldman Sachs CLE Program May 2020
COVID-19 Awareness: Employment Law Q&A #5, Return to Work 2.0 – Getting your Workforce Back into the Workplace, Live Webinar, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra May 2020
COVID-19 Awareness: Employment Law Q&A #2, Live Webinar, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, PC April 2020
COVID-19 Awareness: Employment Law Q&A, Exploring Employer’s most commonly asked employment law questions relating to the Coronavirus pandemic, Live Webinar, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, PC March 2020
Challenges of Managing a Multi-Generational Workforce – Breaking the Barriers, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra PC Hot Topics in Employment Law Seminar November 2019
Artificial Intelligence & Unconscious Bias, Prudential MWOLF Conference November 2019
Connecting Diversity & Inclusion Goals to Executive Compensation, NJ Association of Corporate Counsel September 2019
Sexual Harassment: Lessons Learned from Scandals & Strategies to Mitigate Risk, Get5 January 2018
Essential Tactics to Combat Unconscious Bias, NFP December 2017
Whose Responsibility is Diversity & Inclusion in the Legal Profession?, Panel Presentation to the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession, Morgan Stanley, New York October 2017
Strategies to Combat Unconscious Bias in the Workplace: Why Raising Awareness is Not Enough, HR Star Conference, San Francisco July 2017
Essential Tactics to Combat Unconscious Bias in the Workplace, HR Star Conference, Los Angeles 2017
Sexual Harassment & Bystander Intervention, Panelist, EEOC New York District Seminar June 2017
Essential Tactics to Combat Unconscious Bias, New Jersey Hospital Association March 2017
Essential Tactics to Combat Unconscious Bias in the Workplace, HR Star Conference, San Francisco 2016
Beyond the Bathroom: Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace, presented at Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, PC Hot Topics in Employment Law Round Table November 2016
Beyond the Bathroom: Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace, presented at Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, PC In-House Counsel Lunch Seminar October 2016
Essential Tactics to Combat Unconscious Bias in the Workplace, presented to Bank of America, Legal Department June 2016
The Americans with Disabilities Act: How to Avoid the 5 Most Common Compliance Challenges, Webinar, presented by the NAMWOLF Labor & Employment Practice Area Committee April 2016
Are your Hiring Practices Creating Costly Turnover?, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, Webinar February 2016
Essential Tactics to Combat Unconscious Bias in the Workplace, presented to Panasonic North America February 2016
Essential Tactics to Combat Unconscious Bias in the Workplace, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, Hot Topics in Employment Law Round Table November 2015
2015 Overview of the Most Significant Judicial Decisions & Legislative Updates of 2015, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, Hot Topics in Employment Law Round Table November 2015
Surviving the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Employment Law Symposium presented by Nukk-Freeman & Cerra and USI April 2015
Identifying and Combatting Unconscious Bias in the Workplace, Employment Law Symposium presented by Nukk-Freeman & Cerra and USI April 2015
Legal Issues Surrounding Background Checks and Workplace Violence, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey March 2015
Background Checks: Ensuring that Your Policies and Processes Comply, New Jersey Law Journal In-House Counsel Seminar March 2015
Hot Topics in Employment Law, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey November 2014
Hot Topics in Employment Law, presented to Women Presidents Organization, Somerset Chapter October 2014
Hot Topics in Employment Law, presented to Women Presidents Organization, Bergen Chapter November 2014
Hot Tips in Labor and Employment, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education June 2014
Labor and Employment Law Update, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education Business Law Symposium April 2014
Conducting an Effective Workplace Investigation, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra Webinar Presentation February 2014
Social Media and Workplace Harassment Issues, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education January 2014
Board of Trustees, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Parliamentarian and Human Resources Committee 2004 - 2010
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