Littler Welcomes Katharine Lennox as Shareholder in Rochester

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (May 4, 2026) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, is pleased to announce that Katharine Lennox has joined the firm as a shareholder in its Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets Practice Group in Rochester. 

Lennox joins from McGuireWoods and brings nearly 15 years of experience as a litigator and counselor in unfair competition, trade secret, and restrictive covenant matters. Throughout her career, she has successfully represented both plaintiffs and defendants in complex, multi-jurisdictional trade secrets cases. Katie’s experience includes prevailing on requests for injunctive relief and multiple dispositive motions in restrictive covenant enforcement cases, primarily representing clients in the insurance, healthcare, financial services and staffing industries. She has also secured numerous advantageous pre- and post-litigation resolutions in these matters.

“Workplace disputes today are more sophisticated, more visible and often move faster than ever before,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president. “Katie knows how to navigate that environment exceptionally well, helping employers respond thoughtfully while also positioning them to prevent potential issues before they arise.”

In addition to unfair competition and trade secrets matters, Lennox advises and defends on a wide range of critical workplace issues—from discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and privacy-related claims to advising on wage and hour, and employment acquisition matters. 

Lennox regularly counsels employers on compliance with key federal and state employment laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and several other anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation laws. She also has deep experience in biometric privacy laws, having advised the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and Illinois Legislature on proposed legislative amendments to Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act statute.

“With an increasingly complex and evolving state regulatory landscape surrounding non-compete agreements, there is a heightened need for strategic planning when employees depart for competitors,” said James Witz and Melissa McDonagh, co-chairs of Littler’s Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets Practice Group in a joint statement. “Katie is well positioned to guide our clients through preventative planning, as well as defending their trade secrets when an issue does arise.” 

Lennox also brings global legal experience, having assisted international clients in establishing a U.S. presence and employment practices, and actively invests in pro bono work, concentrating on immigration and torture cases. 

“Katie’s experience across New York and several other jurisdictions nationally and globally will greatly benefit the multinational clients we serve,” added Jacqueline Phipps Polito, Littler’s Rochester office managing shareholder. “Her strategic approach, sound judgment and deep understanding of today’s most sensitive workplace challenges further strengthen our ability to support clients navigating these complex matters.”

“Employers are operating in an environment where workforce expectations, legal standards and reputational considerations are all evolving simultaneously,” said Lennox. “Littler’s unrivaled global platform perfectly aligns with my domestic and international experience—and I look forward to leveraging these resources to better serve my clients for years to come.” 

Educated in the U.S., Belgium, and Canada, Lennox received her LL.M. with highest honors from the University of Kent at Brussels, her J.D. magna cum laude from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and her B.A. at Wilfrid Laurier University. 

Littler’s Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets Practice Group has represented thousands of employers across the country on complex and high-stakes unfair competition and trade secrets matters. The firm has been lauded by Lex Machina as a leader in both plaintiff and defense side trade secret litigation, and from 2018-2022 defended more trade secret cases than any other law firm.

About Littler

With more than 1,800 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our global team and proprietary technology foster a culture that celebrates original thinking, delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers for what’s happening today, and what’s likely to happen tomorrow.