Based in the Firm’s Overland Park office, Rachel Gonzales focuses her practice on Employment litigation, defense of Worker’s Compensation claims, and general liability defense. Prior to joining Hennessy & Roach P.C., Rachel practiced at a regional firm where she primarily represented employers in all stages of employment discrimination litigation, including administrative proceedings, dispositive motion practice, and mediation. Her previous focus also includes contributions to representative actions involving alleged breaches of fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). She has drafted and argued motions in both state and federal courts. In addition, she has served as lead counsel in motor vehicle defense matters from intake through resolution, drafted and negotiated settlement agreements, taken and defended depositions, prepared cases for trial, and second-chaired complex civil bench trials involving business, real estate, and probate disputes. Rachel began her legal career representing clients in family law and child welfare matters and serving as a municipal prosecutor, appearing in more than 100 court hearings in her first two years of practice. This early experience shapes her comprehensive, problem-solving approach to client representation. Rachel earned her Juris Doctor from Washburn University School of Law, graduating with Dean’s honors. She is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor’s society. During law school, she served as a senior staff writer for the Washburn Law Journal, was President of the Federal Bar Association’s Washburn chapter, and interned in the Litigation Clinic. She received CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Legal History and Domestic Violence Law. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Kansas School of Journalism and Mass Communications and is an avid KU basketball fan. Rachel is originally from Fort Collins, Colorado.