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Introduction
Kamau Coar focuses on counseling, people strategies execution, and litigation and risk mitigation efforts on the full range of employment and people matters. He also advises on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) matters, including DEI commitments, program design, implantation, data analysis, and DEI policies and practices.
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. I now co-lead Nixon Peabody's DEI Strategic Services industry group.
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 governing 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 help employers navigate the legal risks and requirements related to the execution of their people strategy, from talent acquisition and 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 advise on employee separation matters, helping to develop and protect clients' rights regarding trade secrets and other proprietary information, and to enforce post-employment restrictions.
Using my in-house experience, I 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 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 2022
In the news
- Mergers & Acquisitions
Gemspring Capital buys Amplix
Dec 13, 2022The 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.
- Channel Futures
PE-backed New England technology advisor team-up forms Amplix
Dec 13, 2022The 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.
- 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.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 processFeb 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 AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllKimberly Harding
Partner / Deputy Leader, Litigation Department
Leader, Labor Relations Team- Rochester
- Office:+1 585.263.1037
- kharding@nixonpeabody.com
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Stacie B. Collier
Partner / Chief Talent Officer- Providence
- Office:+1 401.454.1018
- sbcollier@nixonpeabody.com
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Anthony Barron
Partner / Chair, Litigation Department- San Francisco
- Office:+1 415.984.8309
- abarron@nixonpeabody.com
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