Employment Advice & Counsel

Our Labor & Employment & Benefits Service Group offers the experience and knowledge necessary to customize legal solutions for clients with regard to complex employment and labor law matters. We act as employer defense and monitoring counsel on a regional and national basis and provide clients with expedient advice and practical analysis, and when necessary, we develop a thorough litigation plan and a resolution objective.

Our attorneys counsel clients on the various defense and early resolution options available, and work to resolve disputes in the most expeditious and efficient manner. With this in mind, we believe in the concept of cost effective, 24/7 instant access.

In addition to defending employment and labor claims, we pride ourselves on our ability to counsel clients on developing and implementing solid business practices to avoid future labor controversy or litigation. 

Our attorneys are well attuned to client expectations, the demands of running a business, and the day-to-day issues that today’s business owners encounter. We are skilled at analyzing the impact that particular types of litigation may have on a client’s business and reputation. Our attorneys are adept at defending and overseeing the defense of a multitude of labor disputes and employment-based claims while being mindful of corporate objectives and policies. 

HUMAN RESOURCE MATTERS

• All aspects of the hiring, discipline and termination process
• Harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, and misconduct investigations
• Employee handbooks and policies and procedures
• Drafting employment agreements, non-competition/non-solicitation agreements, and executive compensation plans
• Advice and counsel on all aspects of employment
• Regulatory compliance strategies, including OSHA
• Supervisor/management training
• Sexual Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Training for employees and managers
• Diversity Equity and Inclusion Training
• Navigating the ADA, FMLA, VESSA and workers’ compensation leave 

LITIGATION SERVICES

• Employment-related claims in state and federal courts across the country
• Government claims brought by the EEOC, NLRB, OSHA, DOL, and numerous state agencies
• Wrongful termination defense
• Whistleblower defense
• Retaliatory discharge defense
• All types of discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims brought under Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, the EPA, the FMLA and equivalent state statutes
• FLSA and wage/hour defense
• Non-competition/Confidentiality Agreement enforcement and defense
• Class action defense
• Arbitration
• Mediation
• ERISA and employee benefit controversies
• EEOC and commissioner charges
• OSHA violations
• Workers’ compensation  
• Prevailing Wage/Davis-Bacon defense
• Contractor Debarment defense
• False Claims defense

• Anti-trust defense related to employee “no-poach” and unfair competition disputes

CASE MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY

Our philosophy is based upon the following:

• Establishing an open and candid rapport with the client, counsel,  and insurer;
• Obtaining an early command of the facts, evaluating the case, and developing a plan for resolution; and
• Being mindful of our client’s expectations and meeting or exceeding them.

RECOGNITIONS

U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” – Employment Law – Management – Tier 2 – Chicago Metropolitan Area