Yvette V. Gatling

Yvette V. Gatling has extensive experience and knowledge in defending employers in federal and state court and in matters before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor on claims related to race, sex, age, national origin and disability discrimination, ERISA retaliation, sexual harassment, and equal pay for corporate defendants. Yvette has deep knowledge and assists clients nationwide with reductions-in force and other downsizing issues. Yvette is a core member of the firm’s Compliance Audit Practice Group and represents employers in a number of different industries including healthcare, financial services, oil and gas, technology and retail.  

Select examples of Yvette’s experience include the following:

• Obtained summary judgment in the Eastern District of Virginia that was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in a race discrimination case
• Secured summary judgment in the Southern District of Texas that was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in a wage and hour misclassification case
• Obtained summary judgment in the Southern District of Texas that was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in a case alleging race, color and gender discrimination in violation of Title VII and a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
• Led a team in conducting a nationwide audit of over 1000 exempt positions of a major oil and gas company
• Led a team conducting an audit of the nationwide pay practices of a leading oil and gas company

She has represented companies in appeals before the Fourth and Fifth Circuit. 

In addition to her robust legal practice, Yvette serves as co-chair of the firm’s Healthcare Practice Group and is involved in a number of initiatives both within and outside of Littler dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion within the legal industry. 

Previously, Yvette served as law clerk to the Hon. Tucker L. Melançon, U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana. In law school, she was a member of and served as a senior editor of the Louisiana Law Review.