Meet the Attorney

Mary Kate Dugan is a passionate advocate for civil rights and workers’ rights and the owner, founder, and chief attorney at Parrhesia Law, LLC. A proud daughter of the working class, Mary Kate believes fiercely in the dignity of work and the inherent value of those who labor—convictions that guide every aspect of her practice.

In her work at Parrhesia Law, Mary Kate represents workers and individuals facing discrimination, retaliation, and other rights violations, drawing on both her legal training and her roots in organizing and activism. Prior to entering the legal profession, she served as director of a workers’ rights nonprofit, leading grassroots efforts to protect and empower working people.

Mary Kate earned her J.D. cum laude from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2020 and is a two-time Peggy Browning Fellow, recognized nationally for her commitment to labor rights. She is admitted to practice in the State of Indiana, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

A lifelong supporter of legal protections for workers and unions, Mary Kate believes in the essential role of the labor and employment law in building a just and democratic society. She stands with truth-tellers, whistleblowers, and anyone willing to speak truth to power. Her work is driven by a belief in civil liberties, economic justice, and the urgent need to defend those most often ignored by traditional systems.

Mary Kate is an active member of the Indiana State Bar Association and the National Lawyers Guild (NLG). She serves on the NLG Labor & Employment Committee and is the Secretary of the NLG’s Indiana Chapter.