facebook twitter linkedin google gplus pinterest mail share search arrow-right arrow-left arrow print vcard

Kathleen H.
Klaus

Shareholder

"I'm privileged to be part of a law firm that puts the interests of our clients before our own."

contact

1 (248) 359-7520 2 (248) 359-7560 Fax

Practices

Defense and Insurance Coverage, Employment and Workforce Management, Appellate

Linkedin Print

KATHLEEN (KATE) H. KLAUS, shareholder and member of the firm’s Executive Committee, joined our Defense and Insurance Coverage group in 2004. She specializes in complex professional liability defense (including lawyers, accountants, and insurance agents), employment defense, and appellate cases, with an emphasis on working seamlessly from initial intake through trial and appeal.

Kate graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1992 and received her Bachelor of Arts in economics, with honors, from the University of Iowa in 1987.

A frequent speaker at trade and professional organizations, Kate has shared her knowledge on various topics, including the application of the federal RICO statute and handling insurance claims procedures.

Since 2013, her peers have continually selected her for inclusion in the annual edition of Best Lawyers in America for her work in legal malpractice law—defendants and since 2018 for her work in professional malpractice law—defendants.

Kate was named the Best Lawyers® 2022 and 2019 Detroit Professional Malpractice Law—Defendants “Lawyer of the Year.” Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored with this award.

Recognized in the Michigan edition of Super Lawyers since 2013, Kate was named among the 2021 Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan. She has been listed as a DBusiness Magazine Top Lawyer, and recognized as a Michigan Leading Lawyer. HOUR Detroit magazine named Kate one of Michigan’s top female attorneys.

Education

University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Juris Doctor, 1992

University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, B.A., with honors, in Economics, 1987

 

Professional Memberships

State Bar of Michigan

State Bar of Illinois

United States Supreme Court Bar

United States Court of Appeals—Third, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Circuits

United States Tax Court

American Bar Association

Oakland County Bar Association

Claims and Litigation Management Alliance

Michigan Creditors Bar Association—Director and Board Member

Member of the Debt Collection Working Group of the Michigan Supreme Court’s Justice For All Commission designed to improve access to state courts and improve fairness in the debt collection process

Member of firm’s Executive Committee

 

Recognition

Presentations & Cases

Tyler v. Findling, ____ Mich ____ (2021) (Michigan Supreme Court reversed Michigan Court of Appeals decision and found statements made in mediation cannot be predicate for defamation action).

deLaire v. Voris, 2021 DNH 186 (D. New Hamp. December 21, 2021) (Court found ecclesiastic exemption doctrine did not protect diocese from producing relevant documents in defamation action).

Van Hoven v. Buckles, 547 F. Supp. 3d 694 (W.D. Mich. 2021) (Court granted summary judgment to law firm in FDCPA case based on bona fide error defense).

Bates v. Green Farm Condo. Assoc., 958 F. 3d 470 (6th Cir. 2020) (Court affirmed dismissal of FDCPA claims against law firm attempting to foreclose on a lien on behalf of its condominium association client and rejected plaintiff’s attempt to thwart dismissal by submitting “evidence” to support opposition to motion addressed to pleadings).

Buchholz v. Meyer Njus Tanick, PA, 946 F.3d 855 (6th Cir. 2020) (Court affirmed dismissal of case on ground that “anxiety” caused by alleged violation of consumer protection statute was not a sufficient injury to sustain jurisdiction under Article III of the U.S. Constitution.)

Spokeo, 16 Months Later, State Bar of Michigan Litigation Journal, fall 2017 

Bedford v. Witte, 318 Mich App 60 (2016) (Affirming in part this dismissal of a defamation claim against an attorney and law firm arising out of court statements made about pending litigation.)

Taizhou Golden Sun v. Colorbok, LLC, et al, per curiam decision of the Michigan Court of Appeals, decided August 18, 2105 (Docket No. 320129) (Affirming dismissal of fraud claims against former officers of insolvent company.)

Jackson et al. v. Sedgwick, et al., 731 F.3d 556 (6th Cir. 2013) (en banc)

In re Rosa Parks Trust, per curiam decision of the Michigan Court of Appeals, decided February 20, 2014 (Docket No. 312822)

Coleman v. Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, 947 F. Supp. 2d 777 (E.D. Mich. 2013)

 

“Organizational Culture: The Impact of Remote/Hybrid Workplaces,” Maddin Hauser Breakfast Bites (2021)

“Wage and Hour Class Actions – At What Cost?” Maddin Hauser Breakfast Bites (2021)

“Drugs, Violence, and Vaping: Drafting Employment Policies in the Age of Recreational Marijuana,” Maddin Hauser Breakfast Bites and Employment Law Symposium (2019)

“Employee Class Actions: Wage and Hour, Discrimination and Background Checks,” Maddin Hauser Breakfast Bites and Employment Law Symposium (2016-2017)

“Administrative Charge of Discrimination – Lawyering Up,” Maddin Hauser Breakfast Bites and Employment Law Symposium (2015-2016)

“Employment Practice Liability Insurance & Other Forms of Workplace Insurance,” Maddin Hauser Employment Law Symposium (2014)

“How to Avoid a Malpractice Claim—A Case Study,” Twenty-Second Annual Tax Symposium (2013)