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Kaitlyn M. O'Connell

Kaitlyn M. O'Connell

Associate

360 S. Rosemary Avenue
Suite 1410
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
T 561.366.5301
kaitlyn.oconnell@nelsonmullins.com
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Kaitlyn’s practice is focused on labor and employment law and related litigation. She has experience in defending against claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and trade secret misappropriation. In addition to her litigation practice, Kaitlyn regularly counsels clients on a broad range of workplace issues, including wage-and-hour compliance, employee classifications, terminations, noncompete agreements, and the development...

Kaitlyn’s practice is focused on labor and employment law and related litigation. She has experience in defending against claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and trade secret misappropriation. In addition to her litigation practice, Kaitlyn regularly counsels clients on a broad range of workplace issues, including wage-and-hour compliance, employee classifications, terminations, noncompete agreements, and the development and enforcement of employee handbooks and policies. 

Kaitlyn M. O'Connell

and enforcement of employee handbooks and policies. 

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Representative Matters

  • Represented small businesses and Fortune 500 companies in various employment-related matters, including retailers, medical providers, and technology companies. 
  • Assists employers in drafting employee handbooks, employment contracts, non–compete agreements, and severance agreements.
  • Assists businesses with employment issues arising from mergers and acquisitions, stock and asset purchase agreements and other corporate transactions.
  • Regularly advises clients on, and helps implement, best practices, as well as how to maintain compliance in their workplace by counseling on employment policies.
  • Conducts management and employee training on matters such as employee discipline, internal investigations, wage and hour audits, and litigation avoidance.
  • Successfully obtained a Temporary Restraining Order in a misappropriation of trade secrets matter against approximately a dozen defendants.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Associate, Miami office of an international law firm (2024–2025)
  • Law Clerk, Miami office of an international law firm (2023–2024)
  • Summer Associate, Miami office of an international law firm (May 2023–Aug. 2023)
  • Rotational Federal Judicial Intern for the Middle District of Florida (May 2022–July 2023)
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Representative Matters

  • Represented small businesses and Fortune 500 companies in various employment-related matters, including retailers, medical providers, and technology companies. 
  • Assists employers in drafting employee handbooks, employment contracts, non–compete agreements, and severance agreements.
  • Assists businesses with employment issues arising from mergers and acquisitions, stock and asset purchase agreements and other corporate transactions.
  • Regularly advises clients on, and helps implement, best practices, as well as how to maintain compliance in their workplace by counseling on employment policies.
  • Conducts management and employee training on matters such as employee discipline, internal investigations, wage and hour audits, and litigation avoidance.
  • Successfully obtained a Temporary Restraining Order in a misappropriation of trade secrets matter against approximately a dozen defendants.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Associate, Miami office of an international law firm (2024–2025)
  • Law Clerk, Miami office of an international law firm (2023–2024)
  • Summer Associate, Miami office of an international law firm (May 2023–Aug. 2023)
  • Rotational Federal Judicial Intern for the Middle District of Florida (May 2022–July 2023)

Media

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Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, Litigation - Labor and Employment (2027)
  • Selected for Leadership West Palm Beach Class of 2026
  • Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Employment & Labor (2026)

Kaitlyn’s practice is focused on labor and employment law and related litigation. She has experience in defending against claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and trade secret misappropriation. In addition to her litigation practice, Kaitlyn regularly counsels clients on a broad range of workplace issues, including wage-and-hour compliance, employee classifications, terminations, noncompete agreements, and the development... and enforcement of employee handbooks and policies. 

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Representative Matters

  • Represented small businesses and Fortune 500 companies in various employment-related matters, including retailers, medical providers, and technology companies. 
  • Assists employers in drafting employee handbooks, employment contracts, non–compete agreements, and severance agreements.
  • Assists businesses with employment issues arising from mergers and acquisitions, stock and asset purchase agreements and other corporate transactions.
  • Regularly advises clients on, and helps implement, best practices, as well as how to maintain compliance in their workplace by counseling on employment policies.
  • Conducts management and employee training on matters such as employee discipline, internal investigations, wage and hour audits, and litigation avoidance.
  • Successfully obtained a Temporary Restraining Order in a misappropriation of trade secrets matter against approximately a dozen defendants.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Associate, Miami office of an international law firm (2024–2025)
  • Law Clerk, Miami office of an international law firm (2023–2024)
  • Summer Associate, Miami office of an international law firm (May 2023–Aug. 2023)
  • Rotational Federal Judicial Intern for the Middle District of Florida (May 2022–July 2023)

Education

  • Florida International University College of Law, JD, summa cum laude (2024)
    • Salutatorian 
    • Articles Editor, FIU Law Review 
    • Board Member, FIU Law Board of Appellate Advocates 
    • CALI Award, Property 
    • CALI Award, Criminal Law 
  • Florida State University, BS, Political Science, magna cum laude (2021)
    • Dean’s List 
    • President’s List 
    • Undergraduate Certificate in Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Admissions

  • Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Practice Areas

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, Litigation - Labor and Employment (2027)
  • Selected for Leadership West Palm Beach Class of 2026
  • Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Employment & Labor (2026)