Employment Law
Illinois employment law is complex, rapidly evolving, and aggressively enforced. Our employment practice provides comprehensive employer-side counsel covering the full employment lifecycle — from offer letters and onboarding through performance management, termination, and post-employment restrictive covenants — helping Chicago businesses build compliant workplaces and avoid costly disputes.
Employment Law in Chicago
Illinois has some of the most employee-protective employment laws in the nation, and Chicago employers face an additional layer of municipal ordinances that create unique compliance obligations. From the Illinois Human Rights Act and the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act to the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) and the Chicago Fair Workweek Ordinance, the regulatory landscape demands constant vigilance. Our employment law practice provides proactive, employer-side counsel designed to prevent problems before they arise — through well-crafted agreements, compliant policies, management training, and strategic workforce planning.
When disputes do arise, we represent employers in negotiations, administrative proceedings before the Illinois Department of Labor, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, and the EEOC, and in litigation in Cook County Circuit Court and the Northern District of Illinois. Our attorneys have deep experience with non-compete and non-solicitation enforcement under the Illinois Freedom to Work Act (820 ILCS 90), wage and hour compliance, discrimination and harassment claims, whistleblower protections, and worker classification issues. We serve as trusted outside employment counsel for Chicago-area companies ranging from high-growth startups to established enterprises with hundreds of employees, providing the responsive guidance that HR teams and business leaders need to make sound employment decisions every day.
What We Handle
Employment Agreements & Offer Letters
Drafting employment agreements, executive contracts, and offer letters with appropriate compensation, equity, confidentiality, and restrictive covenant provisions.
Non-Compete & Non-Solicitation Agreements
Preparing and enforcing restrictive covenants that comply with the Illinois Freedom to Work Act, including adequate consideration and reasonableness requirements.
Employee Handbook & Policy Development
Creating comprehensive employee handbooks and workplace policies compliant with Illinois law, Chicago ordinances, and federal requirements including FMLA and ADA.
Wage & Hour Compliance
Advising on compliance with the Illinois Minimum Wage Law, the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, overtime requirements, and Chicago's minimum wage ordinance.
Discrimination & Harassment Prevention
Developing anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, conducting workplace training programs, and advising on Illinois Human Rights Act compliance.
Employee Termination & Separation Guidance
Counseling employers on lawful termination procedures, drafting separation agreements and releases, and managing WARN Act and Illinois mini-WARN requirements.
Independent Contractor Classification
Analyzing worker classification under IRS standards, the Illinois Employee Classification Act, and the ABC test to ensure proper treatment and avoid misclassification penalties.
Our Approach
Employment Compliance Audit
We audit your current employment practices, agreements, handbooks, and policies to identify compliance gaps and litigation risk areas under Illinois and federal law.
Policy Development & Documentation
We draft or update employment agreements, handbooks, and workplace policies to align with current Illinois employment statutes, Chicago ordinances, and federal requirements.
Training & Implementation
We provide management and HR training on key employment law topics including harassment prevention, documentation practices, and lawful termination procedures.
Ongoing Employer Counsel
We serve as your on-call employment counsel for day-to-day questions, workplace investigations, disciplinary matters, and termination decisions as they arise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need Help With Employment Law?
Schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced employment law attorneys.