Keisha-Ann Gray is a distinguished trial lawyer who has secured significant victories in federal and state courts (jury trial and otherwise) for organizations facing “bet the company”, high-reaching, reputational risk claims. She is also an award-winning partner in Proskauer’s renowned Labor & Employment department. As important social change movements like Black Lives Matter, #MeToo and LGBTQ Pride continue to shape society and businesses, Keisha-Ann is the go-to advisor when addressing issues related to discrimination, harassment and/or lack of diversity.
With 20+ years in practice, Keisha-Ann frequently speaks and trains on employment matters such as litigation/trial practice, conducting effective investigations (the trauma-based approach), Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Anti-Discrimination/Anti-Harassment. Her “real talk” style of delivery provides clients with actionable and practical best practice solutions to today’s most challenging workplace issues.
Prior to joining Proskauer, Keisha-Ann served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of New York and federal law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. The breadth of Keisha-Ann’s experience and background in federal government, coupled with her tenure in private practice as a Big Law partner and employment litigator, gives her the unique ability to meaningfully connect with diverse groups of people. This skill enables her to advocate effectively and successfully (in and out of the courtroom) for her clients. As a result, Keisha-Ann is also frequently called upon to conduct high-profile internal investigations. Because of her unique and varied skill set, clients routinely engage Keisha-Ann to handle their most sensitive matters which, due to her involvement, often successfully result in non-public, confidential resolutions – precisely the mandate required by her clients.
Keisha-Ann also gives back to the community and profession by serving on the Board of the Attorney Grievance Committee for the NY Supreme Court Appellate Division, 1st Judicial Dept., co-Chairing the Federal Bar Council’s Employment Litigation Committee, and mentoring junior female lawyers and junior lawyers of color.
Education
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New York University School of Law, J.D., 1998
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University of Pennsylvania, B.A., 1995
cum laude
Admissions & Qualifications
- New York
Clerkships
- U.S. District Court, Puerto Rico - Hon. Jaime Pieras, Jr.
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Puerto Rico
- U.S. District Court, New York, Eastern District
- U.S. District Court, New York, Southern District
Memberships
Federal Bar Council
Hispanic National Bar Association
Metropolitan Black Bar Association
National Employment Law Council
New York City Bar
New York State Bar Association
Practicing Attorneys for Law Students “Pals” (Member of Board of Directors)
The American Friends of Jamaica
Awards & Recognition
The National Law Journal, Employment Law Trailblazer 2019
Benchmark Labor & Employment Stars 2019
Crain's New York Business, Leading Women Lawyers in New York City 2018
The Legal 500 United States: Next Generation Lawyer 2020
The Legal 500 United States: Labor & Employment: Disputes Defense: Collective Actions 2016-2020
The Legal 500 United States: Labor and Employment: Workplace and Employment Counseling 2014-2020
New York Super Lawyers 2014-2020
The Legal 500 United States: Labor and Employment: Labor & Employment Litigation 2017
New York Law Journal's "Rising Stars" 2013
The Network Journal, “40 Under Forty” Achievement Award 2009
“Top 50 Women,” New York Metro Super Lawyers, 2019-2020
Government Service
- Assistant U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of New York, 2003-2007