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    1. Home
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    3. Kamau A. CoarPeople
    1. Home
    2. People
    3. Kamau A. CoarPeople

    Kamau A. Coar

    Counsel


    • Chicago
    • Office312.977.4422
    • kcoar@nixonpeabody.com
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    Introduction

    Kamau Coar is a member of the Labor & Employment practice group and a co-leader of the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Services industry group. His practice is a hybrid of employment counseling, people strategies execution, and litigation and risk mitigation efforts on the full range of employment and people matters. He also advises DEI matters, including DEI commitments, program design, implantation, data analysis, and DEI policies and practices.

    Practice Areas

    Labor & EmploymentLabor & Employment LitigationLitigationWorkplace: Policies, Procedures & TrainingAffirmative Action & DiversityDEI Strategic ServicesTransactional Employment Due Diligence

    My focus

    Prior to joining the firm, I served as chief legal officer and chief inclusion officer at a public company, offering the CEO valuable perspective into our strategic objectives and providing enhanced value from legal services and the DEI program.

    Employment Counseling

    I advise employers on a variety of labor and employment law subjects, including analyzing, developing, and reviewing employment policies and practices, and the complex federal, state, and local employment laws that govern these issues. I work closely with employers to ensure their employment policies and practices proactively mitigate risks before they occur and to conduct bespoke training sessions for managers and employees at all levels.

    Executing People Strategy

    I work with employers in navigating the legal risks and requirements related to the execution of their people strategy, from talent acquisition and talent retention to talent development, and DEI issues. When policies are not enough, I work with employers to conduct internal investigations and defend against litigation. My in-house experience helps me partner with clients to combine their legal and business issues.

    Litigation and Risk Mitigation

    I work with employers to manage employee, complaints alleged wage-and-hour violations, discrimination, wrongful termination, workplace harassment, disability accommodation, and retaliation complaints and lawsuits. This work ranges from conducting internal investigations to litigation defense.

    I also work with clients to advise on employee separation matters, helping to develop and protect their rights regarding trade secrets and other proprietary information, and to enforce post-employment restrictions.

    Using my in-house experience, I work to help clients identify, measure, monitor, and mitigate personnel-related risks that could thwart their strategic objectives.

    Looking ahead

    Stiff competition for talent has companies rethinking their approach to people policies, compensation programs, and DEI. Transparency on the impact of DEI and other talent acquisition, development, and retention initiatives will set industry leaders apart.

    Insights

    • “Diversity in Corporate America,” Nixon Peabody 2023 California MCLE Virtual Seminar, January 20, 2023
    • “The New Language of DEI Requirements: What Your Company is Saying and Why,” The DEI Summit: Diversity Officers & HR Taking Charge: East New York City, October 19, 2022

    In the news

    • Mergers & Acquisitions

      Gemspring Capital buys Amplix

      The following article covers the merger of technology advisory firms ROI Communications, Blue Front Technology Group, and allConnex into a new company, Amplix, which was then acquired by an affiliate of Gemspring Capital Management. The coverage mentions NP as legal advisor for the three firms that merged and were acquired. Corporate partners Greg O’Shaughnessy from Boston and Rachel Pugliese from New York City led the NP deal team, which also included Corporate partners Tom McCord from Boston, Sean Clancy from Washington, DC, and Sam Kim from Chicago; Manchester Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Mark Beaudoin; Chicago IP partner Janet Garetto; Boston Labor & Employment partner Jeff Gilbreth; Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Kamau Coar; Corporate associates Paul DeTurk and Carolyn Glynn from Boston and Corey Habib from Manchester; Chicago IP associate Eliana Torres; Manchester Corporate department attorney Dave Zimmermann; and Boston Corporate senior paralegal Robert Isaacson.

      Dec 13, 2022
    • Channel Futures

      PE-backed New England technology advisor team-up forms Amplix

      The following article covers the merger of technology advisory firms ROI Communications, Blue Front Technology Group, and allConnex into a new company, Amplix, which was then acquired by an affiliate of Gemspring Capital Management. The coverage mentions NP as legal advisor for the three firms that merged and were acquired. Corporate partners Greg O’Shaughnessy from Boston and Rachel Pugliese from New York City led the NP deal team, which also included Corporate partners Tom McCord from Boston, Sean Clancy from Washington, DC, and Sam Kim from Chicago; Manchester Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Mark Beaudoin; Chicago IP partner Janet Garetto; Boston Labor & Employment partner Jeff Gilbreth; Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Kamau Coar; Corporate associates Paul DeTurk and Carolyn Glynn from Boston and Corey Habib from Manchester; Chicago IP associate Eliana Torres; Manchester Corporate department attorney Dave Zimmermann; and Boston Corporate senior paralegal Robert Isaacson.

      Dec 13, 2022
    • The American Lawyer

      'Significant jump' in client inquiries leads to new diversity practice at Nixon Peabody

      This article features the launch of NP’s cross-industry DEI Strategic Services group, developed to help clients advance comprehensive DEI strategies and address systemic challenges. The article quotes the group’s co-leaders, Chief Talent Officer and Providence Labor & Employment partner Stacie Collier, Washington, DC Corporate partner and Franchising & Distribution co-leader Kendal Tyre, and Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Kamau Coar, as well as Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer Rekha Chiruvolu.
      April 18, 2022
    • Law360

      Nixon Peabody creates DEI advisement group

      The following article covers the launch of Nixon Peabody’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Services group. Articles quote the group’s co-leaders, Chief Talent Officer and Providence Labor & Employment partner Stacie Collier, Washington, DC Corporate partner and Franchising & Distribution team co-leader Kendal Tyre, and Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Kamau Coar.
      April 8, 2022
    • InnovateLI

      Equitable solutions

      The following article covers the launch of Nixon Peabody’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Services group. Articles quote the group’s co-leaders, Chief Talent Officer and Providence Labor & Employment partner Stacie Collier, Washington, DC Corporate partner and Franchising & Distribution team co-leader Kendal Tyre, and Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Kamau Coar.
      April 1, 2022
    • Bloomberg Law

      Wake up call

      The following article covers the launch of Nixon Peabody’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Services group. Articles quote the group’s co-leaders, Chief Talent Officer and Providence Labor & Employment partner Stacie Collier, Washington, DC Corporate partner and Franchising & Distribution team co-leader Kendal Tyre, and Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Kamau Coar.
      April 1, 2022
    • Long Island Business News

      NP launches DEI Strategic Services group

      The following article covers the launch of Nixon Peabody’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Services group. Articles quote the group’s co-leaders, Chief Talent Officer and Providence Labor & Employment partner Stacie Collier, Washington, DC Corporate partner and Franchising & Distribution team co-leader Kendal Tyre, and Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Kamau Coar.
      March 31, 2022
    • The New York Daily Record

      Nixon Peabody launches DEI Strategic Services group

      The following article covers the launch of Nixon Peabody’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Services group. Articles quote the group’s co-leaders, Chief Talent Officer and Providence Labor & Employment partner Stacie Collier, Washington, DC Corporate partner and Franchising & Distribution team co-leader Kendal Tyre, and Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Kamau Coar.
      March 31, 2022
    • Law360

      Virtual worker exits create new hurdles for employers

      This article analyzes how the pandemic-driven shift toward remote work has introduced unique complexities to worker separations, and quotes Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Kamau Coar on the importance of employers’ sensitivity when conducting the termination process
      Feb 23, 2022
    • Law360

      Telework wave may spur new approach to worker coaching

      Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Kamau Coar is quoted extensively in this article analyzing how the pandemic-driven shift toward remote work has changed three areas of employment: recruiting/interviewing, coaching/performance improvement plans, and terminations.
      Feb 22, 2022
    • Crain’s Chicago

      People on the move

      This roundup of notable moves and hires highlights the arrival of Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Kamau Coar to the firm, noting that Kamau will advise public and private corporations and their leadership suites on enterprise risk management, governance issues, and litigation across practices and industry sectors.
      Jan 17, 2022
    • The Deal

      Movers & shakers

      This column of notable hires and moves in the M&A and corporate space features Corporate counsel Conrad Adkins and Labor & Employment counsel Kamau Coar, both in Chicago, for their move to the firm. The article also notes their previous in-house roles and the strategic counsel they will provide to clients.
      Jan 13, 2022
    • Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

      People

      This roundup of notable moves and hires in the legal industry includes Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Kamau Coar for his recent move to the firm, noting that Kamau will advise public and private corporations and their leadership suites on enterprise risk management, governance issues, and litigation across practices and industry sectors.
      Jan 9, 2022
    • Bloomberg Law

      Wake up call

      This roundup of notable hires and moves in the legal industry includes Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Kamau Coar for his recent move to the firm, noting Kamau’s previous role as Chief Legal Officer and Chief Inclusion Officer at a public company.
      Jan 6, 2022
    • American Lawyer

      Trio of in-house legal chiefs return to law firms for varied reasons

      This article features Chicago Labor & Employment counsel Kamau Coar and his recent move to the firm, noting his previous role as Chief Legal Officer and Chief Inclusion Officer at a public company. Kamau is also quoted on the in-house perspective he brings to clients, particularly with public and private corporations.
      Jan 5, 2022

    Admitted to practice

    Illinois
    U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

    Education

    Duke University School of Law, J.D.
    Johns Hopkins University, B.A.

    Recognition

    • Savoy Magazine, “Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate North America” 2020
    • Crain’s Chicago Business, “Notable General Counsel” 2019

    Insights And Happenings

    View All
    • Event

      Upstate NY CLE Program

      April 27, 2023
    • Press Release

      Nixon Peabody advises TDK in acquisition of machine-learning company for smart edge devices

      Feb 6, 2023
    • Alert

      Illinois paid leave law — What you need to know

      Feb 2, 2023
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    Professionals in the Practice Area

    View All
    • Tara E. Daub

      Partner / Practice Group Leader, Labor & Employment
      • Long Island
      • Office:516.832.7613
      • tdaub@nixonpeabody.com
      Tara E. Daub
    • Richard J. Frey

      Partner
      • Los Angeles
      • Office:213.629.6177
      • rfrey@nixonpeabody.com
      Richard J. Frey
    • Kimberly Harding

      Partner / Deputy Leader, Litigation Department
      Leader, Labor Relations Team
      • Rochester
      • Office:585.263.1037
      • kharding@nixonpeabody.com
      Kimberly Harding
    • Stacie B. Collier

      Partner / Chief Talent Officer
      • Providence
      • Office:401.454.1018
      • sbcollier@nixonpeabody.com
      Stacie B. Collier
    • Rachel L. Conn

      Partner / Leader, Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA) Practice
      • San Francisco
      • Office:415.984.8216
      • rconn@nixonpeabody.com
      Rachel L. Conn
    View All

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