Diane Prucino has served as the firm's Co-Managing Partner and on the firm's Executive Committee since 2007. In her broad-ranging practice, Ms. Prucino assists employers with any issue that relates to employees: advice, employee terminations, wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, leaves and training. She gives employment law advice and defends employment discrimination, wage and hour, and other employment litigation brought before administrative agencies and in court. She regularly handles reductions in force; investigates harassment and discrimination complaints; conducts other workplace investigations for employers; and offers training on harassment, discrimination, and investigation issues.
Ms. Prucino has led employer investigations of claims of sexual harassment asserted against CEOs in over a dozen cases. She has successfully represented employers in numerous jury trials in federal court in employment discrimination cases and has litigated employment claims in over 25 states. She regularly works with foreign counsel on multijurisdictional RIFs and executive terminations overseas and has testified for employers on adequacy of workplace investigation procedures.
Ms. Prucino has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Labor and Employment Law for 2012 and the four years immediately preceding. She was also recognized in 2009, 2011 and 2012 as a Georgia "Super Lawyer" in Labor and Employment law by SuperLawyers magazine. In 2009, Ms. Prucino was named a "Woman of Excellence" by Business to Business magazine for her influential leadership and positive impact on the community. She was named a Georgia 2009, 2010 and 2011 "Legal Elite" by Georgia Trend magazine and is listed in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 editions of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. Ms. Prucino is AV® rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Professional & Community Activities
Leadership Atlanta, Class of 2013
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
Central Atlanta Progress, Board of Directors
The Carter Center, Board of Councilors
Hands on Atlanta, Advisory Board
Experience
Labor and employment litigation for supply chain management company, Represented a supply chain management company in a case in federal court in Georgia in which plaintiff and a class of similarly situated employees claimed they had been misclassified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Our client asserted counterclaims for breach of contract, misuse and misappropriation of trade secrets, violation of Georgia's Computer Systems Protection Act, and tortious interference with contractual relations. Negotiated a favorable settlement for the client covering all claims.
Smith v. Quintiles Transnational Corp., et al., Represented Quintiles Transnational Corp. and Innovex Inc. in this case for sexual harassment, sex discrimination, retaliation and disability discrimination filed in federal court in Florida. Summary judgment was granted on behalf of our clients.
Smith v. Quintiles Transnational Corp., No. 5:04-cv-00657 ( M.D. Fla. Dec. 17, 2004).
Age discrimination and whistleblower claims, Successfully represented an investment company and its CEO in age discrimination and whistleblower claim in Massachusetts.
International reduction in force by a multinational beverage company, Represented a multinational beverage company in developing strategy and coordinating the work of foreign counsel for a global reduction in force affecting employees in more than 60 countries.
Nationally reported sex harassment case settled favorably for computer services firm, Represented the CEO and Chairman of a large computer services firm in a nationally reported sexual harassment case that was settled on terms highly favorable to client.
*Experience gained by attorney prior to joining Kilpatrick Townsend
Publications
16 May 2011, New Georgia Law Will Require Employers to Use E-Verify, Legal Alerts
01 November 2009, State Regulations Update/State Plant Closing and Mass Layoff Laws Can Pose Pitfalls to Unwary Employers
Source: Employment Relations Today, Articles
01 April 2008, Combination of Mentoring and Flexible Scheduling Helps Firm Retain Talent
Source: Atlanta Woman Magazine, Articles
01 June 2005, Direct Deposit: May Employers Require Electronic Wage Payment?
Source: Employment Relations Today, Articles
08 November 2003, Cardiac Defibrillators in the Workplace Can Save Lives but Pose Risks of Employer Liability
Source: Employment Relations Today, Articles
01 September 2002, The Final Paycheck: State Laws on Compensation of Departing Employees
Source: Employment Relations Today, Articles
01 October 2000, Point-and-Click Personnel Policies: State Laws May Affect Electronic Employee Handbooks
Source: Employment Relations Today, Articles
30 April 1997, Employment Law Basics in Chile -- Hiring, Firing, Profit Sharing and Related Issues
Source: Latin American Law and Business Report, Articles
31 March 1997, Argentina: Hiring, Firing, Mandated Benefits and Other Employment Law Basics
Source: Latin American Law and Business Report, Articles
News
21 February 2012, Kilpatrick Townsend Once Again Achieves Top Recognition in 2012 Georgia Super Lawyers, News Releases
15 December 2011, Kilpatrick Townsend Attorneys Named 2011 "Legal Elite", News Releases
10 November 2011, Kilpatrick Townsend Media Report -- November 4 - 10, 2011, News Releases
21 October 2011, Kilpatrick Townsend Co-Managing Partner Diane Prucino Named a 2011 "Most Powerful and Influential Women" by the National Diversity Council, News Releases
14 October 2011, Kilpatrick Townsend's Hosts Author Deborah Epstein at Annual Atlanta Women's Initiative Event, News Releases
06 September 2011, Kilpatrick Townsend Earns Record-Breaking Recognition in Annual Best Lawyers in America 2012, News Releases
13 June 2011, Kilpatrick Townsend Again Earns Highest Recognition From CHAMBERS USA 2011, News Releases
02 March 2011, Kilpatrick Townsend Once Again Achieves Top Recognition in 2011 Georgia Super Lawyers, News Releases
13 December 2010, Kilpatrick Stockton Attorneys Named 2010 "Legal Elite", News Releases
24 September 2010, Kilpatrick Stockton's Freedom Writers Program Wins Prestigious Recognition, News Releases
12 August 2010, Kilpatrick Stockton Earns Record-Breaking Recognition in Annual Best Lawyers in America 2011, News Releases
23 June 2010, Kilpatrick Stockton Again Named Leading Firm for Labor & Employment by Chambers USA 2010, News Releases
14 June 2010, Kilpatrick Stockton Again Earns Highest Recognition From CHAMBERS USA 2010, News Releases
16 May 2010, "Program helps teens find road to success," Atlanta Journal-Constitution, In the News
08 December 2009, Kilpatrick Stockton Attorneys Named 2009 "Legal Elite", News Releases
04 August 2009, Kilpatrick Stockton Earns Record-Breaking Recognition in Annual Best Lawyers in America 2010, News Releases
15 July 2009, Kilpatrick Stockton Once Again Named Leading Georgia Firm For Labor & Employment By Chambers USA 2009, News Releases
15 June 2009, Kilpatrick Stockton Once Again Earns Highest Recognition From Chambers USA, News Releases
11 June 2009, Kilpatrick Stockton's Diane Prucino Selected as Advisory Board Member of Hands on Atlanta, News Releases
02 March 2009, Kilpatrick Stockton Ranked Number One in Five Georgia Super Lawyer Categories, News Releases