Katherine May represents companies and individuals in complex commercial litigation, with particular emphasis on securities litigation, contract claims, state and federal constitutional issues, and business torts, including trade secret misappropriation, negligence, fraud, and fiduciary duty claims. She also represents companies and individuals facing complex government investigations and enforcement actions and advises technology companies responding to third-party subpoenas.
Katherine has significant trial and arbitration experience, having first or second-chaired three trials in state and federal courts and been a member of several other trial and arbitration teams. Drawing on her experience clerking for Vice Chief Justice John Pelander of the Arizona Supreme Court, Katherine also represents clients in federal and state appellate courts across the country.
Katherine also maintains an active pro bono practice. Katherine has successfully tried two pro bono cases on behalf of inmates asserting claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and has obtained asylum for two individuals asserting domestic violence asylum claims. For these and other efforts, Katherine was awarded the 2017 Perkins Coie Pro Bono Leadership Award and the Adult Pro Bono Attorney of the Year by the Florence Immigration & Refugee Rights Project in 2017.
Katherine graduated from Arizona State University, where she served on the Arizona Law Review and as a research assistant to Professor Robert Bartels.
Professional Recognition
- Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Commercial Law, 2024
- Listed as a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers, Business Litigation and Environmental Litigation, 2023-2024
- “2017 Pro Bono Leadership Award,” Perkins Coie LLP (firmwide)
- “2017 Adult Pro Bono Attorney of the Year,” Florence Immigration & Refugee Rights Project
Professional Leadership
- Federal Bar Association - Phoenix Chapter, Secretary, Newer Lawyers’ Committee, Co-Chair, 2016-2019
- Sandra Day O’Connor Inn of Court, Member, 2016-2019
- State Bar of Texas
- State Bar of Arizona
Community Involvement
- Junior League of Dallas
- Klyde Warren Park Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force Member
- Herberger Theater Center, Young Leadership Board, Chair, 2014-2016; Member, 2016-2019
Clerkships
- Hon. John Pelander, Supreme Court of Arizona, 2014 - 2015