Top Employment Lawyers Near Me in Chicago Area

I have been a trial attorney exclusively representing injured victims and their families in personal injury and wrongful death cases since 1997.  The cases I litigate include, but are not limited to, motor vehicle liability, medical malpractice, product liability, nursing home neglect and abuse, construction site injuries, premises liability, dram shop and defamation.

I concentrate my practice in employment law and related litigation exclusivley. I am a faculty member for the Practising Law Institute’s Employment Law Institute. Super Lawyers named me a "Super Lawyer" in 2017, the second year I have earned that distinction.  Prior to 2016, I was named a “Rising Star”  in the field of labor and employment law.   I am licensed to practice law in New York and Illinois.

I assist Stephan Zouras, LLP clients with employment and consumer protection issues. I have experience working on a wide range of employment cases, including class and collective action wage and hour disputes and employment discrimination cases. With a strong knowledge of the Fair Labor Standards Act, I help clients recover unpaid wages when minimum wage and overtime laws are violated.. My background includes working for the Shakman Monitor for the City of Chicago, monitoring the City's hiring practices and making recommendations for policy and procedural reforms. I also worked at Chicago Kent's Employment Law Clinic and served as an extern for United States Magistrate Judge Susan E. Cox. In addition, I have experience with social security disability benefit laws, as well as medical malpractice, personal injury, and nursing home litigation.

I am dedicated to zealously promoting my clients' best interests and well being.  I want my clients to know that I am constantly fighting tooth and nail to get them the very best outcome that is legally possible.  I make every effort to keep my clients informed regarding their case every step of the way.  Many attorneys fail to maintain good lines of communication with their clients and take too long to return their clients' calls.  This is completely unacceptable.  I also want my clients to know that I am genuinely concerned about the outcome of their case and their well being.  I understand that the people coming to me for legal advice are often experiencing trials and tribulations that extend beyond the court room.  They may have lost their job and are facing financial difficulties and it is imperative for them to have an attorney they can trust.

I am honored to have represented businesses and their owners in numerous fields for many years, including high tech and computer industry clients, retail, manufacturing and service business, in many cases acting as outside general counsel for such companies. I  have achieved an “AV/Preeminent” rating, the highest possible rating, among my peers for legal ability, professional reliability, diligence and ethics. Serving our firm's clients is a privilege and one to be taken seriously, at all times acting in the clients' best interests.

I am an experienced attorney, admitted to the Illinois bar in 1976. I have argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and the Illinois Circuit Courts of Appeal.. I have dedicated my career to helping the average working person, representing hundreds of clients with serious credit problems with bankruptcy proceedings or other appropriate solutions to their difficulties. I pride myself in fighting hard for my clients, leading the charge against irresponsible creditors who try to violate people’s rights after a legal stay has been entered. Representing tenants in disputes with landlords is another specialty of mine. In addition, since 1986 my law practice has included employment law, civil rights and estate planning services in cooperation with Consolidated Legal Concepts.. In addition to English, I am fluent in Russian, Ukrainian and Polish.. Education:  Elmhurst College; BA in Mathematics – June 1970. Graduate work: Northeastern Illinois University; Psychology and Educational Admin – 1971-72. Law School: DePaul University College of Law; JD – 1976.

I am a wage-hour expert who serves as the head of Seyfarth Shaw's Chicago office Wage & Hour Litigation Practice Group and co-chair of the national group. I have as defended more than 125 actual or putative wage and hour collective/class actions. I also regularly advises companies on compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and state wage-and-hour laws, including the performance of exempt status reviews and pay practice assessments. I write extensively on the FLSA and comparable state laws and drafted comments to the U.S. DOL on proposed FLSA exemption changes on behalf of the Society for Human Resources Management. I am one of three authors of the only treatise focused on wage and hour litigation, ALM’s more than 1,000-page Wage and Hour Collective and Class Litigation.

I am a highly effective, efficient and forward-thinking attorney who specializes in employment law defense, especially class action defense.  I also counsel clients on ways to avoid litigation so that clients can advance their business goals.

I am a founding partner of Feis Goldy LLC, a boutique employment law firm dedicated to advising, negotiating and litigating claims on behalf of individual employees, managers and executives. With deep experience representing both individuals and employers, and serving as a neutral, I bring unique insight to provide the highest quality service and strategic representation to our firm's clients.  I spent a substantial part of my earlier career at an international "Big Law" firm representing employers, which gives me a keen understanding of the dynamics that drive management decision-making.  I developed my skills as a plaintiff-side attorney at a preeminent employment class action law firm, where I learned to translate my advocacy and negotiation skills for the benefit of employees.  I use those insights and my 30+ years of employment law experience to provide our clients with smart, sophisticated, pragmatic, and strategic representation to help them achieve positive results

I am a 62 year old husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, friend and trial lawyer. My job is to obtain justice for people who have been harmed using their right to trial by jury, truth and the law. My professional credentials can be seen at .

Harry J. Secaras is a Shareholder with Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.   Mr. Secaras counsels and represents employers throughout the country in labor matters, employment law issues (including issues arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act) and employment-related litigation in federal and state courts and before federal, state and local administrative agencies.  He possesses extensive experience before the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and other federal and state investigative agencies.. Mr. Secaras has negotiated more than 50 collective bargaining agreements for employers and employer associations across the country.  Recently, Mr. Secaras negotiated collective bargaining agreements on behalf of an association comprised of more than 100 privately owned nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Illinois, an association of residential construction employers in Illinois, and a privately owned trucking company employing more than 1500 bargaining unit employees at multiple locations across the United States and Canada.  Mr. Secaras has represented employers before the National Labor Relations Board in more than 25 representation cases and in more than 50 unfair labor practice matters.  He has tried several unfair labor practice cases before NLRB administrative law judges and has defended employers in federal court in appeals from NLRB Final Orders and when the NLRB has sought injunctive relief under Section 10(j) of the NLRA.. Mr. Secaras often represents employers in contract interpretation and discipline grievance and arbitration matters.. Mr. Secaras is a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association and the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois.  He serves on the ABA’s Employment Law Section Subcommittee on Policies and Procedures under the National Labor Relations Act, is a member of NLRB Region 13’s Policy and Practice Committee, and served as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois.  He currently is a member of the Board of Directors for the Hellenic Bar Association Foundation.  Mr. Secaras is a Chapter Author and Senior Editor of the ABA publication How To Take A Case Before the NLRB.. Mr. Secaras is a member of the faculty for the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Outreach (Continuing Education) where he teaches the course Labor Relations Training for Managers and Supervisors in a Union Setting: An Advocate’s Perspective.  Mr. Secaras has taught this course since 1997.. Mr. Secaras is a 1989 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law and College of Commerce and Business Administration (JD/MBA) and holds a BA in Economics from the University of Illinois.  He is admitted to practice in Illinois and before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the Sixth Circuit, the Seventh Circuit and the Eleventh Circuit and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, in which he is a member of the Trial Bar.

Geoffrey M. Waguespack is an Associate at Butler Pappas. He joined the firm in 2014 in the firm's Employment Law group.  His practice includes the handling of employment-related litigation and litigation prevention, such as defending employers against federal and state claims of harassment, discrimination, and wage and hour violations, as well as the development of employment policy, procedures, and handbooks.  Geoffrey also has significant experience in defending employers, contractors, corporations, and individuals in litigation matters, such as negligence and breach of contract claims. Geoffrey has written successful briefs before the Illinois Supreme Court and the Illinois appellate court, as well as before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.Geoffrey earned his law degree in 2003 from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and his undergraduate degree in government and philosophy in 1997 from The College of William & Mary in Virginia.  During law school, Geoffrey was a member of a moot court team and served as the Executive Editor of Publications for the Loyola University Chicago Law Journal.  He was the recipient of the school's Leadership & Service Award, and he earned Cali Awards in constitutional law and legal writing.After law school, Geoffrey served as the judicial law clerk to the Honorable Morton Denlow, Presiding Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.  He also served as a staff attorney for the Illinois Appellate Court, Second District.. Geoffrey is active in DRI and the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IDC).  The IDC has awarded Geoffrey its Volunteer of the Year Award and awards for meritorious service.  From 2006 to 2013, Geoffrey both authored and contributed to the Employment Law Column, published in the IDC Quarterly.  He served as the editor-in-chief of the IDC Quarterly from 2013 to 2014, and was on its editorial board from 2007 to 2013.  From 2011 to 2013, Geoffrey served as the chairperson of the IDC's Employment Law Committee.  He was also active in the Young Lawyers Division of the IDC.In addition to writing the regular Employment Law Column for the IDC Quarterly, Geoffrey has co-authored several Monographs for that publication, has contributed to the IDC Survey of Law from 2011 to 2013, and has spoken on issues regarding current developments concerning non-compete agreements.

Ethan G. Zelizer provides legal counsel on labor and employment matters, with a focus on compliance, litigation, and dispute resolution. He frequently represents clients in cases involving non-competition agreements, trade secret misappropriation, and workplace discrimination. His experience spans federal, state, and local employment laws, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the National Labor Relations Act. Ethan also assists businesses with corporate reorganizations, mergers, reductions-in-force, and workplace policies. Certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and a Certified Labor Relations Professional, he is an active member of the American Bar Association. In addition to his legal work, he teaches and speaks on labor law issues, providing practical guidance to employers and employees alike.

Ellen M. Babbitt concentrates in the area of higher education law, representing colleges and universities in tenure disputes, discrimination cases, government investigations, program and school closures, and other sensitive matters. She has authored numerous articles on program closure, accommodating students with disabilities, and best practices in designing EEO compliance programs for college campuses.

David P. Lichtman represents union clients on a variety of labor and employment matters. He has experience representing clients in arbitrations, before state and federal agencies, including the Illinois Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board and the Illinois State Labor Relations Board, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, as well as in State and Federal courts. He has also worked with ERISA fund clients on delinquent contribution litigation. In addition, David has assisted clients on FMLA, FLSA, Title VII, and LMRDA compliance issues.. He is admitted to practice in Illinois (2006), the U.S District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He is a 2006 graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, with a certificate in Labor and Employment Law.

David Golanty focuses his practice at Boodell & Domanskis, LLC on commercial litigation, alternative dispute resolution, creditors’ rights, and labor and employment law.  His litigation work includes representing clients in various settings, including state and federal courts as well as before administrative bodies. He has experience in employment-related contract drafting and enforcement, and uses his certified mediator training to resolve contentious disputes prior to costly litigation.. Additionally, David counsels clients in a wide range of employment law matters and social media best practices. Since becoming a part of the B&D team, David has expanded his practice in other areas including drafting real estate agreements, representing clients in probate matters, and helping organizations attain 501(c)(3) status.. Before joining B&D, David practiced management side labor and employment law for a national firm, preparing discovery in class action lawsuits and advising small business clients. David also served as an extern for the National Labor Relations Board, Region 13. While earning his Juris Doctorate at Northwestern University School of Law, David worked as a research assistant for Professor Lynn Cohn and as a teaching assistant for Professor Sheila Maloney in the area of Negotiation.

Danielle’s practice focuses on general corporate and employment matters. Danielle represents companies of all sizes, in a diverse range of industries, on day-to-day corporate and employment matters. Danielle counsels both employers and employees, including executives, on the many facets of the employment relationship, including the negotiation of employment and separation agreements. Danielle has experience in all aspects of litigation and draws on this experience to best understand and accomplish her clients’ unique business goals and to minimize the threat of litigation.

Christopher Langone has over 25 years experience in employment law. In addition he is a committed consumer advocate, zealous criminal defense lawyer, and Adjunct Professor at Oakton Community College.  FREE CONSULTATION if you mention you were referred via Avvo.

BCP Legal Research provides legal research and related services to small and mid-size businesses in Illinios, California, and Arkansas. With almost 5 years of practice at an elite small firm representing executives and entrepreneurs, a J.D. from a top-20 law school, and a Master's in Applied Economics, I am eager to help with your legal research issues.. In addition, I am interested in assisting you with your immigration-related concerns.

As the Founding Partner at Jeffrey Law Office, LLC, attorney Antonio L. Jeffrey represents individualsaffected by civil rights violations, personal injury cases, wrongful death claims, and workplace andcatastrophic injuries. With a robust background shaped over a decade, Mr. Jeffrey initially served ascounsel for Fortune 500 companies, including major automotive manufacturers and multinational retailfirms, defending cases related to products liability and workplace injuries. His legal skill extended torepresenting hospitals, physicians, employers, and insurance carriers in medical malpractice claims andworkers' compensation matters, litigating cases in state and federal courts across the country, such asDelaware, Oklahoma, Indiana, Mississippi, and Illinois.. Transitioning from a successful career representing corporations, Mr. Jeffrey now leverages hisextensive experience to advocate for individuals who have suffered due to civil rights violations,catastrophic personal injuries, and workplace incidents. He also takes on cases involving individualswrongfully convicted of criminal charges stemming from constitutional violations.. Clients value Mr. Jeffrey's assertive approach in managing their claims and admire his unparalleledresponsiveness to their legal needs. His wealth of experience, profound knowledge of the law, andunwavering work ethic contribute to creating a sense of comfort for clients as he vigorously pursuesfavorable outcomes.. In addition to managing Jeffrey Law Office, Mr. Jeffrey serves on the adjunct faculty at Loyola ChicagoSchool of Law and is an Independent Arbitrator on the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.. Recognized as one of the elite attorneys in the Chicagoland area, Mr. Jeffrey was selected as one of the23 emerging attorneys nationwide by the American Bar Association Torts and Insurance Practice Sectionthrough its distinguished Leadership Academy Class of 2013. He further demonstrated leadership byserving as Co-Chair of the ABA TIPS Workers' Compensation Midwinter Conference in Chicago in March2014, contributing to the ABA TIPSA Task Force on Leadership Diversity, and holding the position of Vice-Chair on several committees. Recently, The National Trial Lawyers identified Mr. Jeffrey as a Top 100Civil Plaintiff Lawyer in Illinois. He was also recognized by the law school from which he graduated, TheUniversity of Tulsa College of Law, as the 2023 Outstanding Senior Alumnus.

As a trial lawyer for nearly 30 years, I've represented and counseled Fortune 500 companies as well as small businesses and individuals in a variety of commercial disputes. I represent a wide range of commercial clients including real estate developers, national franchisors, lenders, employers, contractors, insurance companies, landlords, shareholders, officers and directors, bankruptcy creditors, condominium associations and equipment leasing companies in disputes arising in state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate court levels.  I also represent clients in matters before the American Arbitration Association. In addition, I have represented attorneys before the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission in matters relating to professional responsibility. I'm especially honored to have been recognized by my peers by receiving an AV rating under the Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Rating System, indicating that I have “reached the height of professional excellence” and “is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.” In 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, I was named a “Leading Lawyer,” an award given to less than 5% of all attorneys in Illinois. In 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017  I was named a “Super Lawyer,” a recognition that is also given to less than 5% of all Illinois attorneys.. I am a trained mediator, having completed the DePaul University College of Law Center for Dispute Resolution course in mediation.. I'm also actively involved in the Chicago Legal Community. I was appointed by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission Chairman of an Inquiry Board panel. I also serve as a judge and mentor in the national and local law student moot court competitions sponsored by the American and Chicago Bar Associations.

Andrew has over 17 years of trial and litigation experience in the fields of toxic tort and transportation law making him uniquely qualified to prosecute diesel exhaust and benzene claims.  In fact, Andrew spent the majority of his career defending Class I railroads, trucking companies, electrical conglomerates and brake manufacturers in wrongful death and catastrophic injury matters.  He now brings that valuable experience to bear representing plaintiffs who have been injured by toxins like diesel exhaust and benzene.. Andrew works with accomplished experts in occupational medicine, pulmonology, oncology, toxicology and industrial hygiene to prove up these claims. Armed with a deep understanding of the subject matter, Andrew focuses his drive on helping workers suffering from diseases such as cancer and leukemia. Andrew's firm fights for workers from all occupations where prolonged exposure to toxins occurs, including the railroad, trucking, construction, mining, firefighting and maritime industries. Diesel and benzene exposed workers are often exposed to other toxins such as welding fumes, silica, radioactive materials and asbestos. All those exposures will be taken into account when consulting with experts and determining the cause of the illness at hand.. While based in Chicago, Andrew represents individuals across the country. That said, he only accepts a limited number of cases which ensures that his clients receive personal, professional service.

After graduating from IIT-Kent Chicago College of Law, Denise was Legislative Liaison for Chicago Alderman Mary Ann Smith.  In 1992, she established a law practice serving a moderate-income clientele in employment, real estate, housing discrimination and administrative appeals, including Social Security Disability appeals.. For the last several years, Denise has concentrated in employment law and condominium association law.  She advises employees and employers on their rights and obligations and litigates on behalf of employees whose rights have been violated. This includes discrimination on the basis of sex, age, race, national origin and disability; recovering wages and unpaid overtime for employees,  and retaliatory termination, including on behalf of Whistleblowers. She also advises condominium associations in a variety of governance matters, negotiates to resolve disputes between Board and unit owners, and litigates where necessary to enforce the rules and regulations of the condominium association and/or the rights of unit owners.. Denise is active in the Illinois Chapter of National Employment Lawyers Association and the Chicago Bar Association.  In 2013, she founded the Northside Attorneys Group , a networking group for solo practicioners in Chicago.. Denise has long had an interest in civic engagement including involvement in at least five electoral campaigns for local and federal office over the last twenty years.  From 1997 until 2000, she was director of a campaign finance reform project  at the Archdiocese of Chicago.. Graduating with a B.A in Urban Planning, Denise was a planner and housing advocate for seven years prior to law school. She continues her involvement in that arena through serving on the Development Partners committee of the Business Partners, the Chamber for Uptown.. In her spare time, she takes Italian lessons and Zumba dance classes.