Kelly M. Dermody

Open for Business
Kelly M. Dermody: Attorney with Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
  • Champion Badge Reviewed
About Attorney Awards

Biography

Kelly is Managing Partner of the San Francisco office of Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein, LLP. A Chambers & Partners USA Band-1 rated attorney, Kelly is Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association’s Section of Labor and Employment Law, and a member of the ABA’s Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council. Kelly specializes in civil rights and employment class and collective actions on behalf of plaintiffs, and individual cases addressing sexual abuse, harassment, and trafficking. Kelly is a nationally-recognized advocate in the areas of pay equity, #metoo, and diversity and inclusion. She has prosecuted numerous cases challenging unfair hiring, promotion, compensation, and performance systems.

In October of 2023, Kelly was profiled by Law360 as a “Class Action Law MVP.” Read a copy of the Law360 profile .

The Daily Journal has observed that Kelly’s

values have translated into real workday value for lots of people - people who have won better job opportunities from companies like Abercrombie & Fitch, Home Depot, and Smith Barney, or monetary damages from banks that have engaged in predatory lending and servicing.”

In 2012, Kelly served as President of the Bar Association of San Francisco. She is a member of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and the American Law Institute. The Daily Journal has selected Kelly as one of the top 100 attorneys in California, top 75 labor and employment lawyers in California, and top 100 women litigators in California. In 2016, The Recorder awarded her the “Giant Slayer” award for her litigation work. She is a Board member of the Equal Justice Society, a national non-profit focused on transforming the nation’s consciousness on race and racial equity.

Classes & Seminars

•Panelist, “Can Ethical Leadership Survive? Navigating Populist Politics, Geopolitical Upheaval and Economic Crisis,” 6th Annual IFSEA International Conference on Risk, Reward and Reputation Management Issues for Senior Executives & Founders, June 2025
•Panelist, “Different Principles of Equality: Comparison between the Legal Assessment of Gender Quotas and Gender Pay Equality in the US and EU,” ABA ERR Committee Midwinter Meeting & Nat’l Symposium on Technology in Labor & Employment Law, March 2025
•Panelist, “Developments in Pay Equity and Gender Discrimination Litigation,”18th Annual ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law Conference, November 2024
•Panelist, “Climate Change and Just Transition Impacts on Labor and Employment,” ABA International Labor and Employment Law Committee Midyear Meeting, May 2024
•Panelist, “Pay Equity: Are We There Yet?,” ABA National Conference on Equal Employment Opportunity Law, March 2024
•Panelist, “Addressing Attorney Obligations to Avoid Discrimination,” 17th Annual ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law Conference, November 2023
•Keynote Speaker, 3rd Annual IFSEA International Conference on Risk, Reward and Reputation Management Issues for Senior Executives & Founders, June 2022
•Host and Panelist, “Intersectional Lives, Intersectional Experiences: How Transgender Women of Color Laid the Groundwork for Modern Equality Laws,” 15th Annual ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law Conference, November 2021
•Guest, “Systemic Discrimination Cases,” Today’s Workplace Podcast Episode, October 2021
•Speaker, American Bar Association 2021 National Conference on Equal Employment Opportunity Law Midwinter Meeting, April 2021
•“Social Movements and the Important Role of Senior Executives and Founders in Diversity & Inclusion, and Racial and Gender Equality,” International Forum of Senior Executives & Advisers Conference, February 2021
•Equal Rights Advocates Virtual Gala, November 2020
•“Effective EEO, Anti-Bias and Anti-Bullying Employee Training Programs,” American Bar Association 14th Annual Labor & Employment Law Conference,” November 2020
•“Challenges in the U.S. Court Systems and in the Practice of Law in the U.S.,” National Association of Women Judges 42nd Virtual Annual Conference, October 2020
•“Addressing and Eradicating Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation Against Senior Executives,” International Conference on Risk, Reward and Reputation Management Issues for Senior Executives and Founders, February 2020
•“Women’s Impact Network - No Glass Ceiling 2.0 Conference,” Bar Association of San Francisco, November 2019
• “The Plaintiff Perspective: Mistakes Employers Make and Case Selection Criteria for an Employee Advocate,” California Employment Law Council Annual Meeting, November 2019
•“Trials and Tribulations: Stories from BASF Presidents,” Bar Association of San Francisco Ninth Annual Barristers Meeting, November 2019
•“The Power of People Analytics,” American Bar Association 13th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, November 2019
•“#MeToo and BigLaw,” American Bar Association National Conference on Professional Responsibility, May 2019
•“The World Wide #MeToo Movement: Global Resistance to Sexual Harassment and Violence Conference,” UC Berkeley School of Law, May 2019
•“#MeToo and Beyond: Addressing Sexual Harassment, Pay Inequity and Other Forms of Gender Discrimination in the International Workplace,” American Bar Association International Labor & Employment Law Conference, May 2019
•“Gender Equality in the #MeToo World,” National Conference on Equal Employment Opportunity, April 2019
•“#WETOO in the Legal Workplace,” National Association of Women Judges Conference, March 2019
•“The Equal Pay Act and The #TimesUp Movement,” American Bar Association Employment Rights & Responsibilities Committee Conference, March 2019
•“Post-Election Solidarity: Lawyering and Building Alliances Across Race, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Immigration Status and Practice Areas”, Lavender Law Conference, 2017
•“Class Actions: Latest Developments in Litigating and Settling Employment Discrimination Class Actions”, American Bar Association Labor and Employment Section Equal Employment Opportunity Committee
•“A Road Map to Discovery in Employment Discrimination and Wage/Hour Class Actions”, with James M. Finberg, Glasser Legal Works Seminar
•“Employment Discrimination Class Actions in the Wake of Allison v. Citgo Petroleum Corp. and Fed.R.Civ.P. 23(f)”, Federal Bar Association

Honors & Awards

•AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
•Selected for inclusion by peers in The Best Lawyers in America in fields of “Employment Law-Individuals” and “Litigation-Labor and Employment,” 2010-2026
•“Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2010-2017, 2019-2026
•“Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America,” Lawdragon, 2026
•“Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers,” Lawdragon, 2026
•“Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2023-2026
• “Legends of the 500,” Lawdragon, 2019
•“Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment & Civil Rights Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2018-2025
•“Lawdragon Finalist,” Lawdragon, 2007-2009
•“500 Leading Plaintiffs’ Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, Winter 2007
•“Top 250 Women in Litigation,” Benchmark Litigation, 2016-2020, 2024, 2025
•“Lawyer of the Year for Labor and Employment Litigation,” San Francisco Bay Area, Best Lawyers, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2023, 2026
•“Band 1 Ranking in Labor & Employment: Mainly Plaintiffs,” Chambers USA, 2025
•“Top California Women Lawyers,” Daily Journal, 2007, 2010, 2012-2018, 2025
•“Top 50 Women Northern California Super Lawyers,” Super Lawyers, 2007-2025
•“Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers,” Super Lawyers, 2007, 2009-2025
•“Super Lawyer for Northern California,” Super Lawyers, 2004-2025
•“Labor & Employment Litigator of the Year,” ““Impact Case Award,” “Labor & Employment Star,” “Litigation Star,” ” “Top 50 Labor & Employment Litigator,” Benchmark Litigation, 2024
•“California Litigation Star,” Benchmark Litigation, 2013-2017, 2024
•“Top Labor & Employment Lawyers,” Daily Journal, 2016, 2018-2020, 2023, 2024
•“Titan of the Plaintiffs Bar,” Law360, 2024
•“Elite Women of the Plaintiffs Bar,” National Law Journal, 2024
•“Class Action & Employment MVP of the Year,” Law360, 2023
•“Award of Merit,” Bar Association of San Francisco, 2007, 2022
•“Top Plaintiff Lawyers,” California Daily Journal, 2022
•“Class Action MVP of the Year,” Law360, 2021
•“Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award,” American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession, 2019
•“Judge Learned Hand Award,” 2019, American Jewish Committee
•“Outstanding Private Practice Antitrust Achievement,” American Antitrust Institute, 2019
•“Employment Law Trailblazer,” National Law Journal, 2019
•“Litigation Trailblazer,” The National Law Journal, 2018
•“Giant Slayer,” The Recorder, 2016
•“Top 100 Attorneys in California,” Daily Journal, 2012-2015
•“Top 75 Labor and Employment Attorneys in California,” Daily Journal, 2011-2015
•Distinguished Jurisprudence Award, Anti-Defamation League, 2014
•“Top 10 Northern California Super Lawyers,” Super Lawyers, 2014
•“Dolores Huerta Adelita Award,” California Rural Legal Assistance, 2013
•“Recommended Lawyer,” The Legal 500 (U.S. edition, 2013)
•“Women of Achievement Award,” Legal Momentum (formerly the NOW Legal Defense & Education Fund), 2011
•“Irish Legal 100” Finalist, The Irish Voice, 2010
•“Florence K. Murray Award,” National Association of Women Judges, 2010
•“Community Service Award,” Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom, 2008
•“Community Justice Award,” Centro Legal de la Raza, 2008
•“California Lawyer Attorney of the Year (CLAY) Award,” California Lawyer, 2007
•“Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist,” Public Justice Foundation, 2007
•“Consumer Attorney of the Year” Finalist, Consumer Attorneys of California, 2006
•“California’s Top 20 Lawyers Under 40,” Daily Journal, 2006
•“Living the Dream Partner,” Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, 2005
•“Top Bay Area Employment Attorney,” The Recorder, 2004

In the News

•February 17, 2026
30 Lieff Cabraser Attorneys Recognized as Lawdragon “500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” for 2026
•January 16, 2026
14 Lieff Cabraser Lawyers Named to Lawdragon’s 2nd Annual “Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers” List
•January 9, 2026
Eleven Lieff Cabraser Partners Named to 2026 “Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America” List
•September 8, 2025
Twenty-Seven Lieff Cabraser Partners Named to 2026 “Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America” List
•August 21, 2025
36 Lieff Cabraser Lawyers Named to 2026 Best Lawyers Listings

See more ›

Areas of Practice (3)

  • Consumer Protection
  • Digital Privacy & Data Security
  • Employment Law

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
Harvard University, A.B., magna cum laude; Harvard University, A.B., 1990 Honors: Senior Class Ames Memorial Public Service Award
Law School Attended:
Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley, J.D., 1993 Honors: Moot Court Executive Board, 1992; Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley, J.D., 1992-1993 Law Journal: Industrial Relations Law Journal/Berkeley Journal of Employment and Labor Law, 1992; Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley, J.D., Articles Editor, 1992
Year of First Admission:
1994
Admission:
1994, California; 1995, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California; 2001, U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit; 2005, U.S. District Court, Central District of California; 2006, U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit; 2007, U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit; 2007, U.S. District Court, District of Colorado; 2008, U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit; 2008, U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit; 2010, U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit; 2012, U.S. Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit; 2012, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California; 2013, U.S. Supreme Court; 2017, U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico; 2018, U.S. Court Of Appeals, 11th Circuit; 2020, U.S. Court Of Appeals, 5th Circuit; 2025, District of Columbia; 2025, New York
Memberships:

Professional Associations

•American Bar Association, Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council
•American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section (Governing Council, 2009-present; Current Chair; Chair-Elect, 2020-2021; Co-Chair, Section Conf., 2008-2009; Vice-Chair, Section Conf., 2007-2008; Co-Chair, Comm. on Equal Opportunity in the Legal Profession, 2006-2007)
•American Bar Association, Section of Litigation (Attorney Client Privilege Task Force, 2017-2018)
•American Law Institute, Elected Member, 2019
•Bar Association of San Francisco (Board of Directors, 2005-2012; President, 2011-2012; President-Elect, 2010-2011; Treasurer, 2009-2010; Secretary, 2008-2009; Litigation Section; Executive Committee, 2002-2005)
•Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom
•Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (Board of Directors, 1998-2005; Secretary, 1999-2003; Co-Chair, 2003-2005; Member, 1997-Present)
•Carver Healthy Environments and Response to Trauma in Schools (Steering Committee, 2007-2012)
•College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (Elected fellow, 2015)
•Consumer Attorneys of California
•Equal Rights Advocates (Litigation Committee, 2000-2002)
•National Association of Women Judges (Independence of the Judiciary Co-Chair, 2011-2014; Resource Board, Co-Chair, 2009-2011, Member, 2005-present)
•National Center for Lesbian Rights (Board of Directors, 2002-2008; Co-Chair, 2005-2006)
•National Employment Lawyers' Association
•Northern District of California Historical Society (Board of Directors, 2015-2018)
•Northern District of California Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference (2007-2010)
•Pride Law Fund (Board of Directors, 1995-2002; Secretary, 1995-1997; Chairperson, 1997-2002)
•Public Justice Foundation
•State Bar of California

Reported Cases:
Representative Cases: Duke/UNC No Poach; Goldman Sachs Discrimination; Google Gender; High-Tech Cold Calling; Home Depot Discrimination; Providian Credit Card Practices; R.J. Reynolds Retirement Plan; Smith Barney Discrimination; Sutter Health Pricing
ISLN:
900435629

Peer Reviews

5.0/5.0 (13 reviews)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    5.0/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    5.0/5.0

  • Judgment

    5.0/5.0

  • Communication

    5.0/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    5.0/5.0
Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

Other Legal Directories

Lawyers Client Review
5.0/5.0 (1 review)
Client Champion

Kelly is raw brilliance: amazing mind, spectacular in court. She has a wonderful client-side manner to boot.

See more

Client Reviews Write a Review

Location

Contact Kelly M. Dermody

Contact Information:

415-956-1008  Fax

www.lieffcabraser.com

Required Fields

Required Fields

Clear All Fields

By clicking on the "Submit" button, you agree to the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms and Privacy Policy. You also consent to be contacted at the phone number you provided, including by autodials, text messages and/or pre-recorded calls, from Martindale and its affiliates and from or on behalf of attorneys you request or contact through this site. Consent is not a condition of purchase.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Emails sent through this site do not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent though this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.