Overview
Kartikey A. Pradhan focuses his practice on labor and employment and general liability law, representing clients in employment litigation, including discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, whistleblower claims, workplace harassment, and class actions. He also advises employers on pre-litigation employment matters and handles complex commercial, business, personal injury, insurance, and ERISA litigation.
Mr. Pradhan has defended complex construction matters throughout California and Colorado and litigated personal injury and casualty claims in both states. His insurance experience includes advising clients on coverage issues, tenders, claim denials, and appeals involving general liability matters.
Mr. Pradhan has extensive bench trial experience and has briefed and argued cases before various appellate courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
He is fluent in Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Marathi, and Urdu. He also volunteers to assist underserved communities with immigration matters and provides pro bono legal advice.
Admissions
- California
- Colorado
- U.S. District Court
- Northern District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals
- Ninth Circuit
Education
- University of Idaho School of Law – J.D.
- California State University, Hayward – B.A.
- Acharya Polytechnic, Bangalore (India) – Diploma in Information Science
Professional Memberships
- Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada
- Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
- Bar Association of San Francisco
- Asian American Bar Association
- South Asian Bar Association
Publications
- The Recorder, “‘Hidden Workforce’: Lawsuits Accuse Meta-Owned Startup of Misclassifying AI Trainers as Independent Contractors,” quotes Kartikey Pradhan, Esq., 7-13-2026
- The Recorder, “AI Meets Paga: The Next Wave of High-Stakes Employment Litigation in California,” by Kartikey A. Pradhan, Esq. and Emma Adams, Esq., 5-15-26
- “The PAGA Question: To Arbitrate or Not to Arbitrate?” by Kartikey Pradhan, Esq. and Regan Heslop, Esq., 7-26-2023
- DOL Withdraws Three Opinion Letters on Wage and Hour Rules,SHRM, ft. Kartikey Pradhan
- California Employers Should Review Evolving Worker-Classification Rules, SHRM, ft. Kartikey Pradhan
News
- Arbitration Agreements – A Potential Salvo for PAGA Claims, by Katherine Catlos, Esq. and Kartikey Pradhan, Esq., 2-22-2024
- “The PAGA Question: To Arbitrate or Not to Arbitrate?” by Kartikey Pradhan, Esq. and Regan Heslop, Esq., 7-26-2023
- News Release: KD Law Promotes Six Attorneys to Partnership Elevates Four to Of Counsel
- DOL Withdraws Three Opinion Letters on Wage and Hour Rules,SHRM, ft. Kartikey Pradhan
- California Employers Should Review Evolving Worker-Classification Rules, SHRM, ft. Kartikey Pradhan
Blogs
- San Francisco Shortens Paid Parental Leave Eligibility Period, by Kartikey A. Pradhan, Esq. and Emma Baker, Esq., 9-28-2026
- California’s Restaurant Allergen Disclosure Requirements Are Now in Effect, by Kartikey Pradhan, Esq., 7-8-2026
- California Governor Signs Executive Order Addressing AI-Driven Workforce Disruption, by Kartikey A. Pradhan, Esq., 6-8-2026
- Independent Contractor vs. Employee: Navigating California’s Stricter Classification Rules with Federal FLSA Standards in 2026, by Kartikey A. Pradhan, Esq. and John Deagon, Esq., 4-14-2026
- California SB 294 Now in Effect: New Annual Employee Notice and Emergency Contact Requirements, by Dove A.E. Burns, Esq. and Kartikey A. Pradhan, Esq., 3-10-2026
- Employment Law Alert: California’s 2024 Pay Data Reporting Deadline is May 14, by Kartikey Pradhan, 5-7-2025
- California Employer Update: Additional Increases to California’s Fast Food Minimum Wage On Tap for Discussion, by Kartikey Pradhan, Esq. and Karina Vals, Esq., 3-28-2025
- California’s Ban on Hidden Junk Fees In Effect, by Kartikey Pradhan, Esq.,7-24-2024
- California’s New Workplace Violence Prevention Law in Effect, by Kartikey Pradhan, Esq.
- California Governor Newsom Signs PAGA Reform, by Kartikey Pradhan, Esq., 7-2-2024
- California Fast-Food Industry Subject to New Regulations and Worker Wage Increase, by Kartikey A. Pradhan, Esq. and Shirley Luk, Esq.,4-1-2024
Our Firm's Awards & Honors
No aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Learn more about the selection methodology of awards and honors.
