A legal powerhouse with a sharp mind, Kathleen P. Polster has excelled in legal services, serving as a claims examiner until her retirement in 2021. Her career was marked by her exceptional ability to solve complex cases, particularly during her tenure at the U.S. Department of Labor from 2009 to 2021. She is known for her meticulous approach to reviewing cases, her deep understanding of the law and collaborative efforts with team members.
Ms. Polster’s educational background laid a strong foundation for her career. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and anthropology from The Ohio State University in 1968. She then went on to earn a Juris Doctor from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University in 1976, where she was recognized with the Sidney A. Levine Award for Best Legal Writing in a Legal Writing Course. During her time at The Ohio State University, she was also a finalist for Sorority Girl of the Year and Miss OSU and was inducted into the Mirrors Sophomore Honorary Society. She was also inducted into the Mirrors Sophomore Honorary Society.
Ms. Polster’s professional journey is enriched by her membership in Gamma Phi Beta, an organization that highlights her commitment to community and professional development. She attributes her success to her unwavering determination to persist despite challenges or obstacles, a driving force that has propelled her to excel in her field and achieve recognition for her contributions.
Reflecting on her path, Ms. Polster’s standout career achievement has been her ability to crack cases that others struggled to solve. A notable example occurred at the U.S. Department of Labor, where a particular case had already been reviewed by five different individuals. Undeterred, she revisited the case file and meticulously reviewed all materials. This thorough review led her to uncover a crucial piece of evidence that had been missed by the previous reviewers.