Kris Cato

Kris Cato is a Certified Labor and Employment Law Specialist with Blair Cato Pickren Casterline LLC. She advises employers on contracts, wage and hour issues, affirmative action, union matters, non-competes, employment discrimination, unemployment compensation, and FMLA concerns. Her work includes day-to-day counseling and defense before state and federal agencies. She represents insurance carriers defending insured employers in employment litigation and provides supervisory training on workplace law topics.

Cato earned a J.D. from the University of South Carolina and a B.A. from the University of Georgia. Before law school, she worked in human resources for Westinghouse Electric Corporation for eight years. That combination of legal training and practical workplace experience gives her a grounded understanding of employment policies, personnel issues, and business operations. Her background supports practical guidance for employers managing compliance duties, employee relations, and disputes.

Cato has defended employers before the US Department of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Justice, Homeland Security, South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, South Carolina Human Affairs Commission, OSHA, and Department of Employment and Workforce. She has presented seminars to businesses, trade associations, and employer groups. Her professional roles include service as a certified civil court mediator and an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association.

Kris Cato has received recognition for labor and employment work, including listing in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for Litigation – Labor and Employment and Employment Law – Individuals. Her memberships include the South Carolina Bar Association, Richland County Bar Association, Lexington County Bar Association, and American Bar Association. Her practice combines employment counseling, agency defense, training, mediation, arbitration, and litigation experience for employers facing workplace challenges.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Blair | Cato | Pickren | Casterline
• Member, South Carolina Bar
• Member, United States District Court, District of South Carolina (1990)
• Member, United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit (1993)
• Member, United States Supreme Court (1994)
• Member, Certified Civil Court Mediator
• Captain, South Carolina State Guard, Judge Advocate General Corps. (2016-2018)
• Member, Richland County Bar Association
• Member, Lexington County Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Board Member, Lexington Medical Center (2023)
• Board Member, Babcock Center (2014-2016)
• Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association

Licensed State

• South Carolina

Education

• University of South Carolina
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Georgia
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges