Kathryn P. Roberts

Kathryn P. Roberts

Of Counsel

Kathryn Roberts is an accomplished attorney with deep roots in the Portland legal community. With a focus on commercial litigation and employment law, she has built an impressive reputation for her legal skills and client service.

Throughout her career, Kathryn has successfully resolved a diverse range of disputes spanning various sectors, including sports apparel, energy, and technology. Her experience is marked by notable achievements, some of which include:

• Serving as plaintiffs' counsel in a high-profile equal pay and gender discrimination class action against Nike, Inc.;

• Acting as counsel for a plaintiff software company in Oregon's largest trade secret jury trial;

• Representing plaintiffs and defendants in employment disputes, including allegations of discrimination and retaliation, wage and hour violations, breach of contract, and various tort claims;

• Assisting numerous executives in preparing employment agreements and negotiating favorable severance packages;

• Advocating for executives challenging their noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreements imposed by their employers; and

• Representing numerous companies in enforcing noncompetition and nonsolicitation agreements.

Prior to joining Markowitz Herbold, Kathryn honed her skills at a leading national firm specializing in labor and employment litigation. During her tenure there, she represented employers in both state and federal courts, as well as before administrative bodies and in labor arbitrations. Currently, Kathryn represents clients on both sides of employment matters, leveraging her ample experience with employment agreements, restrictive covenants, civil rights claims, and business torts.

Kathryn is also a sought-after speaker for local bar associations, where she shares her insights on employment topics such as leave laws, employment agreements, and noncompetition agreements.

Kathryn's legal journey began with federal clerkships for U.S. Magistrate Judges Ashmanskas and Acosta in the District of Oregon. Furthermore, she served as president of the U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society, where she expertly led a distinguished board of directors, overseeing the organization’s various projects and events.


  • Chair, Multnomah Bar Association; CLE Committee member, 2023
  • Member, Taste for Justice Committee, St. Andrew Legal Clinic, 2023
  • Member, U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society, 2008 – 2018; President, 2016 – 2018, Board of Directors, 2008 – 2018
  • Member, Owen M. Panner Inn of Court, 2014 – 2017
  • Founding Member, Oregon Women Judges, 2016 – 2017
  • First Year Mentorship Program, Lewis & Clark Law School, 2007 – 2017
  • Oregon
  • U.S. District Court, Oregon
  • Lewis & Clark Law School — J.D., 2006; Faculty Scholarship, awarded full academic scholarship
  • Barnard College — B.A., Mathematics, 2001; Centennial Scholar

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