Katherine M. Ricks
Partner
Katie has experience in all aspects of litigation and employment law, including discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment, retaliation, non-compete agreements, trade secrets, and workplace safety (OSHA). Katie collaborates with clients to establish sound practices to prevent labor and employment law claims. She strives to find creative and practical solutions for businesses of all sizes.
While Katie prioritizes proactive strategies to help clients avoid disputes and prevent lawsuits before they arise, she is also fully prepared to litigate claims when necessary. With a strong track record in the courtroom and a practical, results-driven approach, Katie handles litigation matters with diligence, precision, and strategic thinking. Recent successes include obtaining judgment against a departing employee in connection with theft of trade secrets, pre-trial dismissal of an employment discrimination lawsuit, and securing judgment on the pleadings in a real estate dispute.
Before joining Harris Dowell Fisher & Young, Katie worked at an Am Law 200 law firm and served as an intern law clerk for the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. She is active in the St. Louis community and with the local bar association.
(636) 532-0300
kricks@harrisdowell.com
Education and Certifications
St. Louis University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, Dean’s Scholar
University of Puget Sound, Bachelor of Arts (International Political Economy)
Bar Admissions
United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Missouri
Illinois
Affiliations and Honors
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
SuperLawyers Rising Star (since 2021)
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® (since 2025)
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
American Bar Association (Litigation Section; Labor & Employment Law Section)
John C. Shepherd Professionalism Award honoree (2021)
Judge Robert C. Dowd, Sr. Appellate Advocacy Award: First Place
St. Louis University Public Law Review, Administrative Editor
Publications
Recent Case Zeroes in on Differences Between MO, Federal Disability Laws (Missouri Employment Law Letter, September 2019).
Employee granted workers’ comp after accident caused by routine task (Missouri Employment Law Letter, May 2018).
Employees’ ‘acknowledgment’ of arbitration clause lacked mutuality (Missouri Employment Law Letter, November 2017).
Community Involvement
CASA of St. Louis - Board of Directors (2020-present)
CASA of St. Louis - Young Professionals Group (Founder; Chair 2020-2024)