Kathryn Lee Colgan
Kathryn Lee Colgan is a Partner in Tyson & Mendes’ San Diego and Orange County offices. Ms. Colgan is an experienced ten plus year attorney and leads two multi-attorney litigation teams in the areas of general liability and labor and employment practices. Ms. Colgan specializes in insurance defense including catastrophic accidents, personal injury, premise liability, business litigation, and some medical malpractice cases and labor and employment defense including wrongful termination, sexual harassment, employment discrimination, retaliation, wage/hour claims, class actions and PAGA representative actions.
Ms. Colgan second chaired a toxic tort trial in which plaintiff asked for $23 million. The jury rendered a defense verdict, determining three companies were not liable for a boy’s birth defects after his mother claimed she was exposed to pesticides. Ms. Colgan also second chaired a trial in traumatic brain injury case where plaintiff was asking for $7.8 million. The jury rendered a verdict under both defense 998 Offers to Compromise in the amount of $29,000.00. Ms. Colgan’s employment practices liability experience includes the defense of sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and breach of employment contract matters. She successfully drafted and argued Motions for Summary Adjudication on behalf of emergency responder clients in multi-party wrongful death cases. In addition, Ms. Colgan has prepared and argued several Motions to Strike where punitive damages were alleged against business clientele. Ms. Colgan has effectively settled multiple subrogation claims against clients within the policy limits where plaintiff was seeking high value property damage reimbursement.
Ms. Colgan graduated from UCLA in 2005, cum laude, where she double majored in History and Political Science in addition to playing on the UCLA women’s soccer team. She graduated from Cal Western School of Law in 2009 where she clerked for the Multiple Conflicts office and Upper Deck among others. She was also a member of the mentor/mentee program and international law club. She is licensed to practice law in all districts of California.
Outside the office, Ms. Colgan enjoys running, hiking, camping, soccer, beach volleyball, and traveling.
- Jury Rules in Favor of Former Lemon Grove City Councilmember in Personal Injury Lawsuit: Tyson & Mendes Achieves Full Defense Verdict in Lawsuit Resulting from 2017 Altercation March 10, 2023
- Tyson & Mendes Graduates 25 Attorneys from 2022 Trial Academy: Civil Litigation and Insurance Defense Firm Thoroughly Prepares Attorneys for Trial July 11, 2022
- November Women’s Initiative Spotlight: Kat Lee November 5, 2018
- Using Cannabis Off the Clock New Law Protects Employees November 7, 2022
- Compensation for Interviewing Before the Job Offer Comes In? July 12, 2022
- Yet Another Blow to California Employers in Supreme Court Ruling March 11, 2022
- California’s Minimum Wage Hike March 11, 2022
- What Employers Should Be on the Lookout for While Adapting to the “New Normal” of Working From Home June 9, 2020
- Attack of the ADA Compliant Lawsuits in California December 9, 2019
- Tips to Steer Clear of the Lackluster Depo March 4, 2019
- Movin’ on Through an Impasse at Mediation August 6, 2018
- The Building Blocks to an Effective Opening Statement in Florida April 27, 2018
- Developing Your Motions in Limine for the Florida Courtroom April 4, 2018
- 2022 Trending Topics & Year in Review – Webinar Series April 21, 2022