Kimberly Lambert Love focuses her practice on all areas of employment law. With over thirty years of experience, Kim has represented employers in all aspects of employment and labor law including litigating class action suits and claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Kim represents a wide variety of employers across many industries from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups. Kim’s utmost focus is to determine the client’s goals and to work tirelessly toward those goals. Whether the client is interested in early resolution or vigorously litigating a claim, Kim provides experienced advice to help clients achieve their goals.
Kim frequently lectures on employment law topics, is a regular contributor to the Oklahoma Bar Journal, and is past chairperson of the labor and employment section of the Oklahoma Bar Association. Kim is an experienced mediator through Dispute Resolution Consultants and was appointed by the judges in the Northern District of Oklahoma to serve as an Adjunct Settlement Judge. She has received the highest Martindale-Hubbell rating of Judicial A-V Preeminent, has repeatedly been selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, and has been named to the Oklahoma Super Lawyers list by Oklahoma Magazine, which also named her to its list of “Top 25 Women Oklahoma Super Lawyers.” In 2018, Kim was recognized by the Best Lawyers in America as the "Lawyer of the Year" in the area of Employment Law - Management and was selected as 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” in the area of Labor Law - Management. This recognition is awarded to the attorney with the highest overall peer feedback for each specialty area and location.
Representative Experience
- Obtained numerous dismissals and summary judgment orders in state and federal court for a wide variety of employers in employment discrimination litigation.
- Defending employers during on-site investigations by the EEOC.
- Defending employers during DOL investigations.
- Obtained summary judgment in a class action arising from wage and tort claims for a Fortune 500 manufacturing client.
- Obtained summary judgment in a gender discrimination class action for a Fortune 500 aerospace company.
- Obtained a 11-1 jury verdict in a wrongful termination case for a Fortune 500 manufacturing client.
- Successfully defended the Tulsa Chief of Police in a high profile race discrimination claim brought by a former police officer.
- Obtained several dismissal orders based on Section 301, LMRA pre-emption.
- Obtained judgment as a matter of law for a Fortune 500 manufacturing client in FMLA retaliation and interference claims in federal court.
- Obtained summary judgment in numerous ERISA related cases for a national communications client.
- Partnering with companies to develop policies and practices that ensure the client is in compliance with state and federal employment laws.
- Providing preventative advice to employers in the day-to-day handling of employee issues including advice on hiring and recruiting, job descriptions, employee handbooks, work rules, discipline and termination, salary treatment, promotions, job postings, drug testing, ADA accommodations, light duty programs, and performance evaluations.
- Conducting internal investigations into employee workplace complaints (both as a company advisor and as a neutral investigator).
- Presenting focused management and staff training in a wide variety of employment related topics including hiring and recruiting, preventing sexual harassment, management’s role in the prevention of workplace violence, consistent application of Company rules, managing occupational injuries, documenting employee discipline and discharge, performance evaluations, and management’s role in complying with the FMLA, the ADA, and other federal and state fair employment laws.
- Conducting settlement conferences, mediations and arbitrations, both as counsel for the litigants and as an Adjunct Settlement Judge or paid mediator.
Publications
“The Case Law and Its Implications for Both Plaintiffs' and Defense Counsel,” co-author, Oklahoma Bar Journal, February 2018
"Changing Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies in Employment Lawsuits," co-author, Oklahoma Bar Journal, November 2017
"Avoiding Disputes After a Settlement Conference or Mediation," co-author, Tulsa Lawyer Magazine, August 2017
“'Sniffing’ Out an ADA Claim: Chemical, Fragrance, and Scent Sensitivities in the Workplace,” co-author, Oklahoma Bar Journal, September 2016
“Limitations on Damages under the Oklahoma Anti-Discrimination Act Upheld by the Oklahoma Supreme Court,” co-author, Oklahoma Bar Journal, August 2014
“The U.S. Supreme Court Rules on Third-Party Claims,” co-author, Oklahoma Bar Journal, October 2011
“Think Twice Before Sending that Email,” Tulsa World, June 2011
“About Face by Oklahoma Supreme Court Means Discrimination Claims Can be Brought Against Small Employers,” co-author, Oklahoma Bar Journal, October 2010
“Admissibility of 'Me, Too' Evidence in Employment Discrimination Cases,” co-author, Oklahoma Bar Journal, August 2008
“Collier v. Insignia: The Oklahoma Supreme Court Makes U-Turn and Expands the Public Policy Tort Exception to Employment At-Will,” co-author, Oklahoma Bar Journal, July 1999
“But I Didn't Quit, I Was Fired: Deciding Constructive Discharge on Summary Judgment,” co-author, Oklahoma Bar Journal, December 1994
“An Employer's Shield: Prompt and Effective Investigation of Sexual Harassment Charges,” Oklahoma Bar Journal, May 1993
“The Family and Medical Leave Act,” Oklahoma Bar Journal, 1993
Seminars
- Tulsa Area Human Resources Association
– Avoiding Claims of Retaliation Under a Myriad of Federal and State Laws
– Employee Discipline, Layoffs and Terminations
– Using Temporary Employment Agencies - Tulsa County Bar Association
– The Americans With Disabilities Act
– Privacy In The Workplace - Oklahoma Bar Association
– Employee Discipline, Layoffs and Terminations
– Basics of EEOC Investigations
– Interplay Between the ADA, FMLA and Workers’ Compensation
– Privacy In The Workplace - Council on Education in Management
– The Family Medical Leave Act - Tulsa Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinators Association
– Background Investigations and Avoiding Negligent Hiring - Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
– Background Investigations and Avoiding Negligent Hiring - University of Oklahoma's Continuing Education Department and the Tulsa Area Human Resources Association
– Avoiding and Investigating Sexual Harassment Complaints - Tulsa Police Department
– Violence in the Workplace - Oklahoma State University and the Northeast Oklahoma Manufacturer's Council
– Violence in the Workplace - The Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, The University of Tulsa College of Law, and The American Arbitration Association
– Alternative Dispute Resolution: An Alternative To The Courtroom - Titus Hillis Reynolds Love
– The Americans With Disabilities Act
– Basics of EEOC Investigations
– The Family Medical Leave Act
– Avoiding and Investigating Sexual Harassment Complaints
– Using Temporary Employment Agencies
