Kalpana Kotagal

Kalpana Kotagal is a Partner at Cohen Milstein, a member of the firm’s Civil Rights & Employment practice group, and Chair of the firm’s Hiring and Diversity Committee. Ms. Kotagal plays an active role in the investigation and development of new matters for the Civil Rights & Employment practice group.

Ms. Kotagal is co-author of the "Inclusion Rider," referenced by Oscar-winning actress Frances McDormand in her 2018 Best Actress acceptance speech. The Inclusion Rider has since been adopted by leaders across industries, including the Recording Academy, which announced the use of the Inclusion Rider in the production of the 2022 GRAMMY Awards, as well as JAMS, which included an Inclusion Rider option in its JAMS Domestic and International Clause Workbooks.

A highly-acclaimed employment and civil rights plaintiffs’ litigator, Ms. Kotagal represents women and other disenfranchised people in employment and civil rights class actions, involving often cutting-edge issues related to the Title VII, Equal Pay Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act, as well as wage and hour issues.