Ranking tables

Labor & Employment | USA

Illinois

In Chambers USA, Labor - as distinct from employment – refers to the representation of corporates in their dealings with labor unions, including collective bargaining negotiations, strike avoidance and NLRB (National Labor Relations Board) proceedings. The section also covers wage and hour class and collective actions, as well as OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Act) and other workplace safety issues, which are also recognised in the Nationwide Occupational Safety and Health section. Employment covers litigation related to sex, race, age and national origin discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and employment-related restrictive covenants. This section also covers non-contentious matters relating to day-to-day business issues as well as workforce restructuring, and employment issues related to mergers and takeovers. Lawyers also advise on the writing of policy handbooks for major corporates and HR training.

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S

Senior Statespeople

  1. James C Franczek, Jr
    S
    James C Franczek, Jr
    Franczek P.C.
    Franczek P.C. | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Senior Statespeople | 22 Years Ranked
    James Franczek is a founding partner and the president of the firm. He is known for his extensive labor and employment practice.
1

Band 1

  1. Anna Wermuth
    1
    Anna Wermuth
    Cozen O'Connor
    Cozen O'Connor | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 1 | 8 Years Ranked
    Anna Wermuth is commended for her expertise in employment-related disputes and regularly counsels high-profile clients in class actions.
  2. Camille A Olson
    1
    Camille A Olson
    Seyfarth Shaw LLP
    Seyfarth Shaw LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 1 | 20 Years Ranked
    "Camille provides five-star service. When we retain Camille, we know we will get premier legal representation with a thorough attention to detail and strategic legal defense."
  3. Gerald L Maatman Jr
    1
    Gerald L Maatman Jr
    Duane Morris LLP
    Duane Morris LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 1 | 19 Years Ranked
    Gerald Maatman chairs the workplace class action group at Duane Morris. He is a leading figure in class and collective action litigation and has extensive experience advising clients on wage and hour violations, as well as discrimination claims.
  4. Joseph Tilson
    1
    Joseph Tilson
    Cozen O'Connor
    Cozen O'Connor | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 1 | 21 Years Ranked
    Joseph Tilson is considered a go-to lawyer for both private and public employers on matters such as wage and hour class actions.
  5. Michael J Gray
    1
    Michael J Gray
    Jones Day
    Jones Day | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 1 | 17 Years Ranked
    Michael Gray has first-class expertise that covers matters such as discrimination lawsuits, allegations of breach of contract and whistle-blower claims.
  6. Sari M Alamuddin
    1
    Sari M Alamuddin
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 1 | 18 Years Ranked
    "Sari provides excellent, practical advice and works very well with us. He is always responsive to our questions and needs."
2

Band 2

  1. Ellen E McLaughlin
    2
    Ellen E McLaughlin
    Seyfarth Shaw LLP
    Seyfarth Shaw LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 2 | 20 Years Ranked
    "Ellen is a subject matter expert on the FMLA - her expertise in this area is very beneficial to assist with identifying the critical issues and options for resolution."
  2. Jeff Nowak
    2
    Jeff Nowak
    Littler Mendelson, PC
    Littler Mendelson, PC | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 2 | 8 Years Ranked
    Jeff Nowak is a well-regarded labor and employment lawyer who is known for his work advising clients on FMLA and ADA matters.
  3. Joseph J Torres
    2
    Joseph J Torres
    Jenner & Block LLP
    Jenner & Block LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 2 | 21 Years Ranked
    Joseph Torres is cochair of the labor and employment practice at Jenner & Block. He frequently advises on whistle-blower disputes and ERISA matters, as well as traditional labor law.
  4. Nigel F Telman
    2
    Nigel F Telman
    Proskauer Rose LLP
    Proskauer Rose LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 2 | 11 Years Ranked
    Nigel Telman works on an array of matters, including internal investigations and harassment claims.
  5. Steven J. Pearlman
    2
    Steven J. Pearlman
    Proskauer Rose LLP
    Proskauer Rose LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 2 | 8 Years Ranked
    Steven Pearlman specializes in whistle-blower and retaliation matters, including leading investigations, defending cases in court and advising on compliance and regulatory issues.
  6. Thomas Piskorski
    2
    Thomas Piskorski
    Seyfarth Shaw LLP
    Seyfarth Shaw LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 2 | 22 Years Ranked
    Thomas Piskorski maintains a broad labor and employment practice and regularly handles cases concerning the FCRA and FLSA. He is experienced at handling class and collective actions as well as single-plaintiff claims.
  7. William Dugan
    2
    William Dugan
    Baker McKenzie
    Baker McKenzie | Head of Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 2 | 6 Years Ranked
    William Dugan serves as chair of the US contentious employment group at Baker McKenzie. He regularly represents management in disputes, including discrimination and harassment allegations, trade secret misappropriation and whistle-blower claims.
3

Band 3

  1. Ami Wynne
    3
    Ami Wynne
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked
    Ami Wynne has a practice which encompasses a range of employment issues, including litigating disability discrimination and sexual harassment cases. She is experienced in handling matters before the EEOC.
  2. Barry A Hartstein
    3
    Barry A Hartstein
    Littler Mendelson, PC
    Littler Mendelson, PC | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 3 | 22 Years Ranked
    Barry Hartstein is noted for his vast experience dealing with EEOC matters.
  3. David B Ritter
    3
    David B Ritter
    Barnes & Thornburg LLP
    Barnes & Thornburg LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 3 | 17 Years Ranked
    David Ritter has significant experience defending employers in cases centered on discrimination, harassment and retaliation, among other claims.
  4. Jeremy Glenn
    3
    Jeremy Glenn
    Cozen O'Connor
    Cozen O'Connor | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked
    Jeremy Glenn is noted for his wide-ranging labor and employment practice, which sees him often handle collective bargaining agreements and wage and hour disputes.
  5. Joel Spitz
    3
    Joel Spitz
    McGuireWoods LLP
    McGuireWoods LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 3 | 13 Years Ranked
    "There are not enough words to describe how amazing Joel is in every single aspect of his representation of us. He is an absolute expert, always business-minded and practical, super responsive, always cost and budget conscious and just an absolute pleasure to work with."
  6. Kenneth F Sparks
    3
    Kenneth F Sparks
    Vedder Price PC
    Vedder Price PC | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 3 | 13 Years Ranked
    Kenneth Sparks continues to serve as chair of the traditional labor group at Vedder Price. He works on collective bargaining agreements, among other matters.
  7. Kenneth R Dolin
    3
    Kenneth R Dolin
    Seyfarth Shaw LLP
    Seyfarth Shaw LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 3 | 21 Years Ranked
    "Ken is an expert in labor law. He keeps abreast of the many nuanced changes at the NLRB and is able to counsel us in real time so as to remain compliant."
  8. Kerryann Haase Minton
    3
    Kerryann Haase Minton
    Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
    Michael Best & Friedrich LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked
    Kerryann Haase Minton is an experienced litigator known for representing clients in a range of labor and employment matters, including discrimination and wage and hour cases.
  9. Michael J Sheehan
    3
    Michael J Sheehan
    McDermott Will & Emery LLP
    McDermott Will & Emery LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 3 | 13 Years Ranked
    Michael Sheehan continues to serve as the global head of the employment group at McDermott Will & Emery. He focuses his employment practice on complex trade secret and unfair competition litigation.
  10. Noah Finkel
    3
    Noah Finkel
    Seyfarth Shaw LLP
    Seyfarth Shaw LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 3 | 8 Years Ranked
    Noah Finkel is particularly experienced in handling wage and hour disputes.
  11. Thomas M Wilde
    3
    Thomas M Wilde
    Vedder Price PC
    Vedder Price PC | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked
    Thomas Wilde regularly advises employers on wage and hour litigation and harassment claims, as well as collective bargaining matters.
4

Band 4

  1. Brian Paul
    4
    Brian Paul
    Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
    Michael Best & Friedrich LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked
    Brian Paul is an experienced labor and employment litigator with experience representing employers in administrative proceedings as well as state and federal lawsuits. He is also a go-to adviser on strategic employment issues.
  2. Daniel. A Kaufman
    4
    Daniel. A Kaufman
    Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
    Michael Best & Friedrich LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    Daniel Kaufman advises employers on day-to-day HR concerns and is also a seasoned litigator with experience handling the full range of employment disputes, including harassment and discrimination claims.
  3. David Birnbaum
    4
    David Birnbaum
    Jones Day
    Jones Day | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 5 Years Ranked
    David Birnbaum handles a range of issues, including collective bargaining negotiations and wage and hour claims.
  4. David P Radelet
    4
    David P Radelet
    Littler Mendelson, PC
    Littler Mendelson, PC | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 7 Years Ranked
    David Radelet has over three decades of experience in representing private sector employers in a wide range of labor and employment matters.
  5. 4
    Elizabeth McRee
    Jones Day
    Jones Day | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked
    Elizabeth McRee is the co-leader of Jones Day's labor and employment practice. She has experience handling employment litigation and arbitrations concerning a wide range of complex issues.
  6. James Oh
    4
    James Oh
    Epstein Becker & Green PC
    Epstein Becker & Green PC | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 3 Years Ranked
    James Oh is renowned for advising clients on wage and hour class actions and discrimination, retaliation and harassment claims.
  7. Jane McFetridge
    4
    Jane McFetridge
    Jackson Lewis P.C.
    Jackson Lewis P.C. | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 17 Years Ranked
    "There is no question that in both state and federal law, she really knows what she is doing - whatever the other side throws at us, she just knows it."
  8. Jason Kim
    4
    Jason Kim
    Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
    Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked
    Jason Kim has notable expertise advising management on labor relations matters, including unfair labor practice matters before the NLRB. He is also adept at handling the full gamut of employment disputes.
  9. Jill Vorobiev
    4
    Jill Vorobiev
    Reed Smith LLP
    Reed Smith LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    Jill Vorobiev of Reed Smith represents corporate clients in a range of labor and employment matters, including ERISA and discrimination cases.
  10. Marcia E Goodman
    4
    Marcia E Goodman
    Mayer Brown LLP
    Mayer Brown LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 17 Years Ranked
    Marcia Goodman advises clients on a variety of employment matters, including defending employers against EEOC charges and carrying out internal investigations.
  11. 4
    Margo Wolf O’Donnell
    Benesch
    Benesch | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    Margo Wolf O’Donnell cochairs the labor and employment practice group at Benesch. She defends employers in matters involving discrimination and harassment allegations, as well as wage and hour and breach of contract issues.
  12. Michael A Warner
    4
    Michael A Warner
    Franczek P.C.
    Franczek P.C. | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 3 Years Ranked
    Michael Warner is adept at representing clients involved in discrimination, defamation and breach of contract cases. He is able to handle both single-plaintiff and class action claims.
  13. Michael Phillips
    4
    Michael Phillips
    McGuireWoods LLP
    McGuireWoods LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 5 Years Ranked
    Michael Phillips is noted for his expertise in class action lawsuits, encompassing wage and hour law and harassment claims.
  14. Norma Zeitler
    4
    Norma Zeitler
    Barnes & Thornburg LLP
    Barnes & Thornburg LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    Norma Zeitler is frequently sought out to advise employers on high-level HR concerns. She also has a wealth of experience handling labor and employment disputes for clients in the nonprofit and healthcare sectors, among others.
  15. Rachel B Cowen
    4
    Rachel B Cowen
    McDermott Will & Emery LLP
    McDermott Will & Emery LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 7 Years Ranked
    "Rachel is pragmatic in her approach to complex labor issues, which facilitates our ability to keep the small things small and more effectively manage potentially contentious issues in a way that also benefits our employees."
  16. Rex L Sessions
    4
    Rex L Sessions
    Winston & Strawn LLP
    Winston & Strawn LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 17 Years Ranked
    Rex Sessions has more than three decades of experience in acting for clients on a range of employment matters. His expertise covers wage and hour cases, discrimination claims and breach of contract disputes.
  17. 4
    Ryan Vann
    Cooley LLP
    Cooley LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked
    Ryan Vann leads the employment practice of Cooley across the Midwest. He counsels employers on a range of labor and employment issues, including litigation and administrative proceedings.
  18. Scott Gilbert
    4
    Scott Gilbert
    Polsinelli PC
    Polsinelli PC | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked
    Scott Gilbert of Polsinelli represents clients in high-stakes labor and employment litigation including discrimination and restrictive covenant disputes. He also provides strategic employment counseling.
  19. Sonya Rosenberg
    4
    Sonya Rosenberg
    Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
    Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    "Sonya is pragmatic, thoughtful and drives creativity. She knows how to apply things and no problem is too big or small for her. She has so many modes and has the ability to adapt depending on the situation."
  20. Tobias Schlueter
    4
    Tobias Schlueter
    Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC
    Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 8 Years Ranked
    Tobias Schlueter is recognized for his employment litigation experience, including age discrimination cases and unfair competition matters. He cochairs the unfair competition and trade secrets team at Ogletree.
  21. Victoria Richter
    4
    Victoria Richter
    DLA Piper LLP (US)
    DLA Piper LLP (US) | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    "Victoria has a unique ability to synthesize complex legal rules and regulations in a way that allows the business to make informed but quick decisions with a commercial mindset."
  22. William J Wortel
    4
    William J Wortel
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 12 Years Ranked
    William Wortel of BCLP handles a broad range of employment matters. These include the defense of wage and hour class actions, and race and disability discrimination claims.
  23. William Tarnow
    4
    William Tarnow
    Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
    Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4 | 7 Years Ranked
    "Bill is an excellent attorney and advocate for our organization. I appreciate his breadth of knowledge and his ability to always find the time to respond to our requests."
  24. Jeffrey Piell
    C3 Legal | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 4
5

Band 5

  1. Andrew Rosenman
    5
    Andrew Rosenman
    Mayer Brown LLP
    Mayer Brown LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 5 | 3 Years Ranked
    Andrew Rosenman cochairs Mayer Brown's US employment litigation and counseling practice. He is noted for his experience representing companies in class and collective actions.
  2. Anne E. Larson
    5
    Anne E. Larson
    Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC
    Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, PC | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 5 | 2 Years Ranked
    Anne Larson is an experienced litigator with broad based expertise including handling FLSA actions, retaliation claims and termination disputes.
  3. Christina Janice
    5
    Christina Janice
    Barnes & Thornburg LLP
    Barnes & Thornburg LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 5 | 3 Years Ranked
    Christina Janice is an experienced practitioner who draws on her experience as former in-house counsel at a multinational company to provide strategic advice on a range of employment issues. She is well placed to handle wage and hour class actions.
  4. 5
    E Michael Rossman
    Jones Day
    Jones Day | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 5 | 3 Years Ranked
    Michael Rossman is well regarded for his ability to defend clients in employment-related litigation. He is active in a range of industries including healthcare, manufacturing and technology.
  5. Elizabeth Hall
    5
    Elizabeth Hall
    Vedder Price
    Vedder Price | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 5 | 3 Years Ranked
    Elizabeth Hall is a highly regarded labor and employment attorney. She regularly defends clients in class action claims.
  6. 5
    Gerald Pauling
    Seyfarth Shaw LLP
    Seyfarth Shaw LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked
    Gerald Pauling represents employers in a range of matters including discrimination and harassment claims, class actions and advice on employment practices and policies.
  7. Laura Balson
    5
    Laura Balson
    Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP
    Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked
    Laura Balson of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete is noted for her litigation experience, representing employers before state and local agencies. She is also able to provide transactional support in corporate matters.
  8. Maritoni Kane
    5
    Maritoni Kane
    Mayer Brown LLP
    Mayer Brown LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 5 | 3 Years Ranked
    Maritoni Kane is a respected labor and employment practitioner who is noted for handling wage and hour issues and discrimination claims, among other matters.
  9. Michael Ferrell
    5
    Michael Ferrell
    Epstein Becker & Green PC
    Epstein Becker & Green PC | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked
    Michael Ferrell assists clients with both labor and employment disputes, including wage and hour claims, collective bargaining and discrimination lawsuits.
  10. Michael Roche
    5
    Michael Roche
    Winston & Strawn LLP
    Winston & Strawn LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked
    Michael Roche is chair of the firm's labor and employment group. He is an experienced litigator, representing clients across all industries, with a particular focus on representation of professional services and financial firms.
  11. Peter Steinmeyer
    5
    Peter Steinmeyer
    Epstein Becker & Green PC
    Epstein Becker & Green PC | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 5 | 3 Years Ranked
    Peter Steinmeyer is well regarded for his expert handling of trade secrets and noncompete advice.
  12. 5
    Tiffany Fordyce
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked
    Tiffany Fordyce is chair of the Chicago labor and employment practice at Greenberg Traurig and also cochairs its DEI group. She is an experienced labor and employment lawyer with key expertise in litigation, including single-plaintiff cases as well as class and collective actions.
  13. Gary Clark
    Quarles & Brady LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Band 5
U

Up and Coming

  1. Brian Mead
    U
    Brian Mead
    McDermott Will & Emery LLP
    McDermott Will & Emery LLP | Labor & Employment
    2024 | Up and Coming | 1 Years Ranked
    Brian Mead is a skilled lawyer in the employment space, advising employers on discrimination, wrongful termination and breach of contract claims. He also assists them with the employment aspects of M&A and other transactions.