Kayla N. West

(she/her/hers)

Associate

  • Overview

    Biography

    Kayla West focuses her practice on representing private sector employers in labor and employment matters as well as defending employers in federal and state court and before administrative agencies. She is a member of the firm’s Labor, Employment, Benefits + Immigration Group. Kayla regularly contributes to the firm's Manufacturing Law Blog and Health Law Diagnosis blog. 

    Kayla graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law, where she served as an Executive Editor of the Wake Forest Law Review. She also dedicated time as a teaching assistant for a professor of Legal Analysis, Writing and Research Program and as a research assistant. Kayla was the recipient of the CALI Excellence Award in Litigation Drafting. 

  • Experience
    • Professional Associations

      Professional Associations

      American Bar Association
      Young Lawyers Division

      Connecticut Bar Association
      Labor and Employment Law Section
      Women In the Law Section

      Human Resource Association of Central Connecticut

      Society for Human Resource Management

      Association of Workplace Investigators
      Certificate Holder
  • NEWS + PRESS
    • Publications

      Publications

      "How pay equity and transparency laws could affect your business," co-authored with Abby M. Warren, published in (2/10/2023)
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      "Unionizing Efforts are on the Rise," co-authored with Natale V. DiNatale, published in Material Handling & Logistics (1/31/2023)
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      "Here’s how to better manage your employees’ performance in 2023," co-authored with Abby M. Warren, published in the Hartford Business Journal (1/9/2023)

      "Unions Are Adding Some Heat in the Kitchen For Food & Beverage Employers," co-authored with Natale V. DiNatale, published in Modern Restaurant Management (7/25/2022)
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      "Review Pre-Employment Screening Processes Amid the Great Resignation," co-authored with Abby M. Warren, published in Construction Executive (5/10/2022)
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      "Who’s calling the shots? A look at the current status of COVID-19 vaccine mandates," co-authored with Jonathan H. Schaefer and Abby M. Warren, published in Industrial Safety & Hygiene News Magazine (2/16/2022)
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      "Getting Into the Weeds of Connecticut’s New Marijuana Law and Its Impact on the Workplace," co-authored with Abby M. Warren and Natale V. DiNatale, published in the Winter 2021 edition of the CCIA’s online magazine, Connstruction. (12/1/2021)
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      "Updating Connecticut Employee Handbooks for 2022," co-authored with Stephen W. Aronson, Rachel V. Kushel and Abby M. Warren, published by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) (7/28/2021)

      "7 Policies in Your Employee Handbook that Need Review Soon," co-authored with Natale V. DiNatale, published in Human Resource Executive (6/25/2021)

      "The big-ticket question: Can (or should) employers require the COVID-19 vaccine of employees in the workplace?" co-authored with Stephen W. Aronson, Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, Abby M. Warren, Natale V. DiNatale and Emily A. Zaklukiewicz, published in ISHN (Industrial Safety & Hygiene News) (5/12/2021)

      "Taking A Shot At Answering Employers’ COVID-19 Vaccination Questions: Best Practices For Managing The COVID-19 Vaccine In The Workplace," co-authored with Stephen W. Aronson, Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, Abby M. Warren, Emily A. Zaklukiewicz and Natale V. DiNatale, published in the Massachusetts Bar Association MBA Section Review newsletter (March/April 2021)

      "The ABCs of DEI," co-authored with Rachel V. Kushel, Abby M. Warren and Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, published in Industry Week (3/12/2021)

      "Unions Will Gain Strength with NLRB Changes," co-authored with Natale V. DiNatale, published in Industry Week (3/5/2021)
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      "Employer Best Practices For Diversity, Equity and Inclusion," co-authored with Abby M. Warren, Rachel V. Kushel and Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, published in Law360 (2/11/2021)

      "One Shot to Get It Right: Navigating the COVID-19 Vaccine in the Workplace," co-authored with Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, Abby M. Warren, Stephen W. Aronson, Emily A. Zaklukiewicz and Natale V. DiNatale, published in Construction Executive (1/6/2021)

    • Presentations

      Presentations

      "Multi-State Employee Recruitment, A Pandemic Win? – Top 7 Questions Employers Ask About Remote Employees," co-presented with Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson and Abby M. Warren, an R+C-hosted webinar (9/6/2022)
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      "Non-Union Today, Union Tomorrow: Labor Law Developments Likely to Impact Higher Education," co-presented with Emily A. Zaklukiewicz and Natale V. DiNatale (5/4/2021)
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      "The PRO Act—Key Elements and Potential Impact on Employers," co-presented with Natale V. DiNatale, an R+C-hosted webinar (3/18/21)
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    • News

      R+C in the News

      • February 15, 2023

        Abby Warren and Kayla West Discuss Timely Issue of Wage Transparency in Nation’s Restaurant News

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      • February 2, 2023

        Natale DiNatale and Kayla West Co-Author Material Handling & Logistics Article Offering Insights as Unionizing Efforts Accelerate

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      • January 10, 2023

        Abby Warren and Kayla West Author Performance Management Article for Hartford Business Journal’s Economic Forecast Issue

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      • July 26, 2022

        Natale DiNatale and Kayla West Co-Author Modern Restaurant Management Article on Unions in Food & Beverage Industry

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      • May 18, 2022

        Abby Warren and Kayla West Co-Author Construction Executive Article on Pre-Employment Screening Processes Amid the Great Resignation

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      • February 23, 2022

        Abby Warren, Jon Schaefer and Kayla West Co-Author ISHN Article on the Current Status of COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

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      • January 5, 2022

        Business Transactions Team Represents Hydrofera, LLC in Sale to Essity

      • December 15, 2021

        Labor and Employment Lawyers Write on Workplace Implications of Connecticut’s New Marijuana Law

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      • June 28, 2021

        Natale DiNatale and Kayla West Author Human Resource Executive Article on Employee Handbook Considerations

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      • May 14, 2021

        Labor and Employment Group Lawyers Author ISHN Article on COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement in the Workplace

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      • April 9, 2021

        Labor and Employment Group Lawyers Author MBA Article on Managing COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Workplace

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      • March 16, 2021

        Labor and Employment Members Author Industry Week Article on “The ABC’s of DEI”

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      • March 9, 2021

        Natale DiNatale and Kayla West Author Industry Week Article on Union Progress Under Biden Administration

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      • February 16, 2021

        Labor and Employment Members Author Law360 Article on Employer Best Practices for DEI

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      • January 15, 2021

        Labor and Employment Group Lawyers Author Construction Executive Article on COVID-19 Vaccine in the Workplace

      • November 5, 2020

        Robinson+Cole Welcomes Fall Class

    • Legal Updates/Newsletters

      Legal Updates/Newsletters

      "Key Preparation for 2023: A Roundup of Critical New York State Labor and Employment Legislation from 2022" co-authored with Abby M. Warren and Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson (1/13/2023)

      "New York State Adopts Salary Disclosure for September 2023" co-authored with Natale V. DiNatale (12/22/22)

      "2022 Labor and Employment Tri-State Legislative Update: CT, MA, and RI" co-authored with Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, Abby M. Warren and Sapna K. Jain (11/1/22)

      "Important Considerations for Connecticut Employers in Anticipation of Election Day" co-authored with Sapna K. Jain, Natale V. DiNatale and Stephen W. Aronson (10/25/2022)

      "Unions Are Adding Some Heat in the Kitchen for Food & Beverage Employers" co-authored with Natale V. DiNatale (6/21/2022)

      "Pre-Dispute Arbitration Agreements and Class Action Waivers Now Invalid and Unenforceable for Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Claims" co-authored with Natale V. DiNatale and Stephen W. Aronson (3/7/2022)

      "Reminder: Connecticut Employment Laws Effective October 1, 2021" co-authored with Jean E. Tomasco and Emily A. Zaklukiewicz (9/30/2021)

      "Considerations for Employers Thinking about COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates" co-authored with Natale V. DiNatale, Stephen W. Aronson and Jean E. Tomasco (9/1/2021)

      "2021 Labor and Employment-Related Legislation from the Connecticut General Assembly" co-authored with Jean E. Tomasco, Stephen W. Aronson and Natale V. DiNatale (6/24/2021)

      "EEOC Issues Updated Guidance on Vaccinations in the Workplace" co-authored with Stephen W. Aronson, Virginia E. McGarrity, Alisha N. Sullivan, Emily A. Zaklukiewicz and Abby M. Warren (6/3/2021)

      "Status of Noncompete Agreements in 2021: Consider Alternatives to Protect Your Business Interests" co-authored with Stephen W. Aronson, Natale V. DiNatale, Jean E. Tomasco, Abby M. Warren and Emily A. Zaklukiewicz (3/17/2021)

      "U.S. House Passed the PRO Act: How It Could Affect the Future of Labor Law" co-authored with Natale V. DiNatale (3/10/2021)

      "The CROWN Act: What Connecticut Employers Need to Know" co-authored with Stephen W. Aronson, Abby M. Warren and Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson (3/9/2021)

      "Employers and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Getting it Right in 2021" co-authored with Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, Rachel V. Kushel and Abby M. Warren (2/10/2021)

      "Work from Anywhere? Telecommuting and Tax Obligations for Employers: Practical Considerations and Tips for Human Resources and Management" co-authored with Bruce B. Barth, Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, Ryan V. Leichsenring, Alisha N. Sullivan and Abby M. Warren (12/18/2020)