M. Kimberly Hodges

Kimberly Hodges is the Office Managing Shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ Memphis office and a nationally recognized employment law attorney. With over 20 years of experience, she focuses her practice on employment law, labor litigation, and strategic legal counseling for management across various industries.

Kimberly earned her Bachelor of Science from Arkansas State University in 1993 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 2000. She is licensed to practice in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, as well as numerous federal district and appellate courts across the United States.

Before joining Ogletree Deakins, Kimberly served as Lead Counsel for the Litigation and Employment group at Federal Express Corporation. She also held HR roles at TruGreen ChemLawn, Trailmobile, and Riceland Foods, where she developed a strong foundation in employee relations, compliance, and training.

Kimberly brings a dual perspective as both a litigator and an advisor, defending corporate clients in federal and state courts nationwide, and handling administrative proceedings before the EEOC, Department of Labor, and Administrative Review Board. Her practice encompasses discrimination, wage and hour laws, FMLA, ADA compliance, non-compete and trade secret matters, as well as whistleblower claims.

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for Employment Law–Management, Litigation–Labor and Employment, and Commercial Litigation, Kimberly also holds an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. She was named a “Best of the Bar” honoree by the Memphis Business Journal in 2018.

Kimberly Hodges frequently speaks at legal and business conferences and contributes to publications on evolving employment law issues. Her practical, business-aligned counsel makes her a trusted partner for employers navigating today’s complex workplace legal challenges.

Law Office Affiliations

• Office Managing Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins
• Member, International Association of Defense Counsel
• Member, Memphis Bar Association
• Member, Tennessee Bar Association
• Member, Society for Human Resources Management
• Member, Federal Bar Association
• Member, Association of Corporate Counsel
• Member, Mississippi Bar Association
• Member, American Inns Of Court, Leo Bearman, Sr. Chapter

Licensed State

• Arkansas
• Tennessee
• Mississippi

Education

• University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Arkansas State University
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges