Katherin Nukk-Freeman Bio

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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 30 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 advises employment lawyers and human resources professionals enabling them to manage and proactively address their training programs and many other employment law issues thereby avoiding costly litigation.

As a dynamic employment law instructor and industry thought leader, Katherin partners with clients to develop and implement strategies to manage risk, comply with the law, foster an inclusive workplace, and improve workplace culture. 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 “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging” in the workplace.

AV® Preeminent™ Rating, Martindale Hubbell
Recognized by Best Lawyers®
Named a New Jersey Law Journal “New Jersey Trailblazer” 2019
Listed in Super Lawyers®, Employment & Labor 2010-Present
“Top 100”, New Jersey Super Lawyers® 2011-2015, 2017, 2019-2022
“Top 50 Women”, New Jersey Super Lawyers® 2011-2022; 2024
Listed in Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Law Firms, Labor & Employment and ranked by Chambers USA
Named “Women’s Business Enterprise Star”, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) 2009
Listed in “Top 50 Women in Business”, NJ BIZ 2009
Named one of Business News New Jersey’s “40 Under 40 Outstanding Achievers” 2002

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; Hiring Partner 2000-2006
Associate 1996–2000
Downey, Brand, Seymour and Rohwer, Sacramento, CA Associate
Associate 1993–1996
Professional Activities
ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc., Board of Directors 2018-Present
Advisory Board Member, HR.com - Legal, Compliance, & Employment Law 2022 research 2022-Present
Chief.com, Member 2021-Present
C200, Selected Committee Member 2014-Present
C200, Protégé Program 2023-Present
Committee of 200 C200 Protégé Program, Selected 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, Platinum membership 2002-2020
Labor and Employment Law Section of the New Jersey Bar Association, Executive Committee 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) 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
SHIFT HR Compliance Trainings: Elevating Traditional Workplace Cultures with Enhanced Inclusion, HR Tech Outlook, HR Compliance Edition April 2024
Co-author, "Supreme Court Affirmative Action Decision & Implications for Business", Rane Network October 2023
Co-author, "A Wink and a Nod: Legal, HR and Social Challenges of Emoji Use for Business Communication", Rane Network September 2023
Speaking Engagements
Tidal Waves & Surfing Lessons: Navigating an Ocean of Change in 2025, SHIFT Webinar February 2025
Multi-Generational Diversity: One of Your Organization’s Greatest Assets, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra PC, Hot Topics in Employment Law Seminar November 2024
Election Season & The Workplace: Protecting Employees from Harassment & Discrimination, SHIFT Webinar September 2024
From Boomers to Zoomers: Thriving Together in a Multigenerational Workforce, SHIFT Webinar July 2024
How to Structure DEI Programs After Recent Supreme Court Decisions, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, In-House Counsel Roundtable May 2024
Navigating the Backlash of DEI Programs Post Supreme Court Decisions, ONCON 24 April 2024
How to Structure DEI Programs After Recent Supreme Court Decisions, PA Bankers Association April 2024
Preventing Workplace Violence: Understanding the New Compliance Mandates, SHIFT webinar April 2024
Navigating a Multigenerational Workplace – A Roadmap for Success, NJ Bankers Association March 2024
Unveiling the Power of Age Diversity in the Workplace for Inclusive Excellence, British American Business February 2024
The Impact of the Supreme Court’s Decision on Corporate DEI Programs, DEI Leader Roundtable, Chief February 2024
From Boomers to Zoomers: Thriving Together in a Modern Workplace, SHIFT Webinar January 2024
Structuring DEI Programs and Goals Post the Harvard/UNC Supreme Court Decisions, 2023 Hot Topics of Employment Law, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra Seminar November 2023
The Growing Field of Workplace Harassment & Discrimination, SHIFT Webinar September & May 2023
Leading with Emotional Intelligence, Women in Automation Webinar September 2023
Emotional Intelligence and Effective Communication, Professional Women in Construction, Webinar August 2023
Podcast, Employment Law Compliance: Minimizing Your Company’s Risk, HRMorning June 2023
Leading with Cultural Competency, NJ Bankers DEI Conference May 2023
Combating Unconscious Bias, Tri-State HRMA Conference May 2023
Combating Unconscious Bias, MA Bankers Association May 2023
Inclusive & Diverse Hiring: Adopting Best Practices for Attracting Top Talent, SHIFT webinar March 2023
How to Cultivate an Inclusive Workplace for all Employees, SHIFT webinar January 2023
How To Be An Intentional Ally in the Workplace, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra PC, Hot Topics in Employment Law Seminar November 2022
How to Build an Inclusive Workplace for Employees with Disabilities, SHIFT Webinar November 2022
Combatting Unconscious Bias: Unintentional Still Hurts, SHRM: Garden State Council Conference October 2022
How to Build an Inclusive Workplace for Employees with Disabilities, SHIFT Webinar October 2022
Leading with Emotional Intelligence and Empathy, HR Acuity September 2022
Leading with Emotional Intelligence and Empathy, SHIFT Webinar August 2022
Leading with Cultural Competency, HR Acuity August 2022
How to be an Intentional Ally in the Workplace, SHIFT Webinar June 2022
Combatting Unconscious Bias, Pepack Gladstone Bank May 2022
Combatting Unconscious Bias, SHIFT Webinar May 2022
2022 DEI Action Plan Webinar, NJ Bankers May 2022
Cultivating an Inclusive Workplace for the LGBTQIA2S+ Community within Your Organization, SHIFT Webinar February 2022
Transforming Organizations Through Cultural Competency, Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, PC, Hot Topics in Employment Law Seminar November 2021
Understanding Unconscious Bias, NJ Bankers November 2021
Preventing Workplace Harassment and Discrimination, SHIFT Webinar November 2021
2022 DEI Action Plan, SHIFT Webinar January 2022
Creating an Anti-Racist Culture Within Your Organization, SHIFT Webinar March 2021
What Goes into Building a DEI Program, SHIFT Webinar February 2021
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
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

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