Kelcy L. Palmer

Kelcy L. Palmer is board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. As co-chair of Littler’s Government Contracting Practice Group, Kelcy regularly advises clients on their antidiscrimination and employment-related affirmative action program and reporting commitments and compliance obligations as federal, state, and municipal government contractors. In addition, Kelcy represents employers in litigation and administrative matters that include leave and accommodation, discrimination and harassment, and related employment issues. She regularly partners with multiple stakeholders within clients’ organizations, including legal, HR, investigations, business leadership, operations, finance, and ethics and compliance, to guide employers through their labor and employment challenges with strategic, practical advice. 

Kelcy represents employers, including government contractors, in a broad range of employment matters arising under federal and state laws and before state and federal courts, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Office of Federal Contractor Compliance (OFCCP), and in arbitration. She defends and counsels clients on issues related to:

• Discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, genetic information, or disability
• Retaliation and interference with rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and matters related to independent contractors
• Government contractor compliance under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) rules and regulations
• Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act and Older Worker Benefits Protection Act compliance in reductions-in-force
• Drafting employee handbooks, policies and agreements, and severance agreements

While in law school, Kelcy interned with the Hon. Lynn N. Hughes in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas.