Overview
Kim focuses her practice on management-side labor and employment law, helping employers navigate complex workplace challenges and protect their operations. For over 25 years, she has represented clients in litigation, labor matters, and daily employment counseling.
Kim defends employers in single-plaintiff, multi-plaintiff, representative, and class-action lawsuits in state and federal courts. She handles claims involving discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wage and hour disputes, and other statutory and common-law issues tied to the employment relationship. Kim is known for her effective advocacy throughout all stages of litigation—from discovery and fact development to motions practice and trial.
A significant part of Kim’s work involves traditional labor matters. She represents employers in defending unfair labor practice charges, handling disputes over collective bargaining agreements, and managing arbitrations. Kim also conducts internal investigations into allegations of workplace misconduct, including discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and represents employers before state and federal agencies.
In addition to her litigation and labor practice, Kim advises employers on day-to-day workplace issues. She counsels clients on managing the employer-employee relationship in a way that supports compliance and minimizes risk. Her clients include public and private sector employers across industries such as retail, grocery, and restaurants.
Kim continues to partner closely with employers, offering practical guidance that aligns with their operational goals and helps them maintain strong, compliant workplaces.
Honors & Recognition
- Thomson Reuters "Stand-Out Lawyers" (2025)
- Los Angeles Business Journal “Leaders of Influence – Litigators & Trial Attorneys” (2023)
- Labor & Employment Star - California by Benchmark Litigation (2019-2020)
- Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Women in Corporate America (2019)
- Top 50 Women Southern California Super Lawyers® (2009-2010, 2012-2014, 2018)
- Southern California Super Lawyers® (2006-2025)
- National Black Lawyers Top 100 (2015, 2019, 2020)
- Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
About Me
Kim is married to Mark Wilson and has two amazing Chow-Chows, Ari and Chole. Hobbies include photography (photos appearing in the 2015 book Michelle Obama: A Life by Peter Slevin); greatest memory is climbing the Great Wall of China during a student exchange program in 1982.
Experience
Representative Matters
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Obtained summary judgment on behalf of two high level city public officials against a claim of retaliation by a former city attorney
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Obtained defense verdict at trial on behalf of retail grocery chain against claims by former employee for sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation
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Obtained dismissal of a complex putative wage-and-hour class action on behalf of a retail grocery chain without client participation in costly pre-certification discovery
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Successfully defended employer against numerous wage-and-hour claims in a 13-day arbitration evidentiary hearing
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Procured dismissal of a California Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 claim on a motion for judgment on the pleadings where the potential number of aggrieved employees numbered in the thousands
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Obtained numerous summary judgments awards on behalf of retail grocery chain on claims alleging discrimination, failure to accommodate, wrongful termination, and retaliation
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Prevailed at 9-day arbitration on claims by former employee against aerospace company for disability discrimination, wrongful termination, and failure to accommodate
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Successfully represented hospital on appeal arising from dismissal of wrongful termination claim based upon attorney error (published decision)
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Successfully represented retail grocery chain on appeal from trial court's granting of summary judgment and denial of request for relief from judgment on claims by former employee for sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of marital status (published decision)
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Successfully arbitrated a number of claims brought pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement involving contract interpretation, wage and hour issues, and employee misconduct
Credentials
Education
Harvard Law School
- J.D., 1989
University of South Carolina
- B.A., magna cum laude, 1986
- Phi Beta Kappa
Media
News
Professional & Civic Associations
Civic
- Center of Hope, Board of Directors and Member
Professional
- Los Angeles County Bar Foundation, Former Board Member
- Trial Law Institute, Member
- Diversity Law Institute, Member
- Order of Centurions, Barrister
- Order of Certus, Advocate
Admissions
- California, 1990
“A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination.”
Nelson Mandela
