Randi Klein Hyatt
“If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.”
— Maya Angelou
— Maya Angelou
Recognizing that a wide range of people will read an attorney’s biography, whether a client, potential client or adversary, and that each will likely focus on something a little different, I share the following…
I graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1994 and spent the first year after law school working as an appellate law clerk on the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland. I began working at Kollman after my clerkship ended in 1995 and have been practicing management-side labor and employment law ever since.
I worked here from 1995 through 2001. In November 2001, I left and went to another well-respected Baltimore management labor and employment law firm, which happened to be in the same building. Although it made for some awkward elevator rides in the beginning, it all worked out in the end, including my return to Kollman in November 2009.
This is a great place to practice law. My partners are smart. Our associates and support staff are intelligent, practical, sincere and reliable. We know each other, our families, and like to work together. When practicing in a field of law that can get heated, contentious and charged at times, I am thankful that I like the people I see at work every day.
I represent employers in all areas of labor and employment law. My clients are terrific businesses and entities looking to do the right thing. They rely on me for assistance in that regard and I am happy to provide it. When needed, I will defend against claims of employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation under the multitude of employment statutes out there, along with the other various claims that will arise in the employment context.
While I am adept and appropriately aggressive in the litigation process, I best serve my clients by providing advice and counsel on personnel matters to avoid litigation. I make sure my clients understand their options to permit the best decision from a legal and practical perspective. I also truly enjoy conducting employment-related training. On-site training is my chance to make sure people understand the workplace obligations, responsibilities, and nuances out there, and provides an extra opportunity to educate and avoid litigation.
Here is the stuff that likely matters to other lawyers. I am an AV-rated attorney, and have been selected to SuperLawyers since 2014. I have been recognized as a Woman Leader in the Law; and am a Washington and Baltimore – Labor and Employment Top-Rated Lawyer by ALM Legal Leaders. I am a former adjunct faculty member at the University of Baltimore School of Law, where I taught Legal Writing and Employment Law. I no longer teach at UB but remain connected by serving as a mentor to first-year law students.
I went to Virginia Tech where I started as an Engineering major. I took a quick detour after a horrendous first-year calculus class and ultimately landed in Sociology and Political Science. From there, law school happened because no one was hiring sociology majors and I randomly enjoyed a Constitutional Law class I took during my junior year. In May 2013, I discovered CrossFit. I took the L-1 course in April 2017 and it was so much more impactful than I expected. Like lawyering, CrossFit will always be a part of my life.
Contact
Education
- Virginia Tech (1991)
- University of Baltimore School of Law (magna cum laude, 1994)
Court Admissions
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court, Maryland
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. Court of International Trade
- U.S. Supreme Court
Recent Posts
A Deeper Dive Into Maryland’s New Paid Family Leave Law
Posted On: 04/29/2022
As Eric Paltell blogged about earlier this month, Maryland is now the 10th state to offer paid family leave to employees. Likely, many other states will follow suit. Below is a Q&A to unpack further what is required by the “Time to Care Act.” What Employers Are Covered? Any public or private entity that employs […]
Handbook Receipt Language Dooms Mandatory Arbitration Clause
Posted On: 04/27/2022
Around the corner from our law offices is Nationwide Motor Sales Corporation (NMSC). NMSC has been sued by a collection of current and former sales persons who claim Nationwide failed to pay them more than $1 million in commissions. In response to the filed lawsuit, NMSC moved to compel arbitration, citing the Arbitration Agreement that […]
Magic Words Are Not Needed for An ADA Request for Reasonable Accommodation, But Sufficient Words Are
Posted On: 03/04/2022
While courts have said repeatedly about the ADA that an employee need not use magic words or even the phrase “reasonable accommodation” when making such a request, the case of Powley v. Rail Crew Xpress, LLC, No. 21-1131 (8th Cir. Feb. 15, 2022), is a good reminder that the ADA does require employees to provide […]