2024
Last updated:
Our Recommended Top 16
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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Chicago Employment Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.
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Providers
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Featured Provider
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- 5.0 (7)
(7)Why choose this provider?
Oracle Legal Group has been providing comprehensive legal services in the Chicago metro since 2012. It deals with various employment law matters involving the protection of confidential information and hiring issues. The law firm also helps employees file disputes for unpaid compensation. It also reviews and creates employment and independent contractor agreements and non-solicitation provisions. Managing partner Uma Bansal published "Injunctive Relief in Patent Cases after Ebay", an intellectual property litigation newsletter write-up for the American Bar Association.
- Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
- Wrongful Termination
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Uma Bansal - Managing Partner | Active | 18 yrs |
| Uma Bansal - Managing Partner | Active | 18 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Foote, Mielke, Chavez & O'Neil LLC is a personal injury and employment law firm in Geneva, Illinois. It focuses on car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, and public transportation accidents that result in serious or catastrophic injuries. The firm helps clients recover financial compensation for lost wages, medical and rehabilitative costs, and property damage. Attorneys visit clients in their homes or at medical facilities. Additional areas of practice include workers' compensation and Social Security disability claims.
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Kathleen Chavez - Founding Partner | Active | 26 yrs |
| Craig Mielke - Partner | Active | 44 yrs |
| Robert Foote - Partner | Active | 45 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Founded in 2001, Werman Salas PC is a labor and employment law firm located in Chicago. The firm investigates cases nationwide involving the abuse of minimum wage, commission, bonus, overtime, exempt, and independent contractor pay structures. Its attorneys work on behalf of individuals and class action cases to protect the rights of workers. They also provide representation in matters involving discrimination, harassment, family medical leave disputes, and whistleblower and retaliation law.
- Whistleblower
- Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Maureen Salas - Partner/Shareholder | Active | 18 yrs |
| Zachary Flowerree - Partner | Active | 13 yrs |
| Sarah Arendt - Partner | Active | 12 yrs |
| Douglas Werman - Founder/Partner | Active | 34 yrs |
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- 5.0 (3)
Why choose this provider?
Halunen Law brings over 20 years of employment law experience to its Chicago area clients. The law office helps to fight for the legal rights of workers via court proceedings and prosecutions. The firm focuses on retaliation for whistleblowing, discrimination against protected classes, and wrongful termination. Founding attorney Clayton D. Halunen earned a Business of Pride Award from Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal and is a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association.
- Whistleblower
- Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher Moreland - Partner | Active | 27 yrs |
| Susan Coler - Partner | Active | 33 yrs |
| Lon Leavitt - Partner | Active | 5 yrs |
| Susan Coler - Partner | Active | 35 yrs |
| Amy Boyle - Partner | Active | 13 yrs |
| Clayton Halunen - Founder | Active | 33 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
G&G Law LLC is a law firm that was founded in 2011 and serves clients in the greater Chicago metro area. The firm helps employer clients with a variety of employment law matters, including enforcing noncompete and nondisclosure agreements, classifying workers, defending Illinois Department of Employment Services unemployment claims, and creating employee handbooks. The team of high-caliber employment attorneys in Chicago also offers legal services in the practice areas of education, contracts, intellectual property, general business law, and cannabis. G&G Law has established an Outside General Counsel program that allows businesses to get in-touch with legal assistance quickly.
- Minimum Wage
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Rebecca Lyon - Associate | Active | 10 yrs |
| Michelle Green - Attorney/Owner | Active | 13 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Ed Fox & Associates has been handling employment law cases in Chicago since its establishment in 1999. The firm provides legal services for clients in need of representation in matters involving employment discrimination, severance agreements, sexual harassment, and hostile work environment claims. Ed Fox & Associates also represents clients for wrongful termination and retaliation for whistleblower actions. The law firm handles only a number of cases at a time to ensure that each case is given the full attention it deserves.
- Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Edward Fox - Principal | Active | 33 yrs |
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Avvo
- 5.0 (21)
Why choose this provider?
Founded in 1995, Stephen A. Glickman, P.C. is a downtown Chicago employment law firm that represents employers as well as C-level executives and highly compensated employees in all areas of employment law. Dedicated exclusively to employment law, the firm provides quality legal services such as strategic advice, counsel, negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, as well as employment law litigation in federal and state court. The firm defends employers against employee claims, including discrimination, harassment, as well as wrongful discharge cases, and selectively represents employees in sexual harassment, employment discrimination, and wrongful termination cases.
- Unemployment
- Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Glickman - Principal | Active | 37 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Case and Sedey is a plaintiff's employment law firm in Chicago that litigates, counsels, and guides employees of all levels, in all aspects of their employment relationships. The firm handles cases regarding wrongful termination, whistleblower claims, and retaliatory discharge, as well as unpaid wages and compensation. With over 15 years of experience in state and federal courts, founding partner Kristin M. Case has brought cases before agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights.
- Discrimination
- Wrongful Termination
- Workplace Harassment
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Kristin Case - Founding Member | Active | 23 yrs |
| Kathleen Sedey - Partner | Active | 15 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Edelman Combs Latturner & Goodwin LLC is a Chicago-based law firm handling employment law cases. It offers legal representation in different areas of the field, such as unfair business practices, employment background check errors, and unpaid overtime and other wage issues. The firm upholds the rights of employees by holding employers accountable for their unlawful actions based on the Fair Labor Standards Act. With more than 200 years of combined experience, its legal team also provides legal counsel in cases involving telemarketing abuse, unfair auto financing, and student loan debt.
- Overtime Pay
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Edelman - Principal | Active | 48 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
The Friedman Firm has been protecting the rights of employees in Chicago for more than 20 years. The firm’s principal attorney, Josh Friedman, is well-versed in different areas of employment law, such as discrimination, wage and hour disputes, workers’ compensation issues, unsafe workplace conditions, and wrongful termination. He is dedicated to making employers comply with state and federal laws through alternative legal methods. Friedman wrote multiple employment law articles published in legal journals across the country.
- Discrimination
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Friedman - Principal | Active | 30 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Herbert Law Firm is a general practice that serves clients in Chicago and the surrounding areas. It protects employees from any form of discrimination and labor law abuse, including unfair compensation, wrongful termination, retaliation, and harassment. Its attorneys have been representing employees in bench and jury trials and administrative hearings in state and federal courts for 20 years. Founding attorney Daniel Herbert uses his experience as a former police officer and a Cook County prosecutor in protecting the rights of clients.
- Unemployment
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Herbert - Principal | Active | 23 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
For more than 20 years, Meltser Law Group has been serving clients in Chicago and throughout its surrounding areas. The firm's well-established team of trusted employment and labor attorneys in Chicago provides legal counsel in a range of practice areas, including employment issues and agreements. Its attorneys are well-versed in handling matters such as wage disputes, discrimination claims, and employee contract preparation. Other areas of practice include business law and estate planning. Principal attorney Gene Meltser, Esq. has been selected by Super Lawyers and is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association.
- ERISA
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Gene Meltser - Principal | Active | 25 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Caras Law Group caters to clients in and around Chicago. It deals with various employment discrimination cases related to incidents such as retaliatory discharge, wrongful termination, and workers' compensation. To support a claim and seek redress for the wronged employees, the firm looks into the specifics of a case. One of its victories is a $1.5 million jury verdict judgment for an employee who was harmed at work and was dismissed as punishment for filing a worker's compensation claim.
- Discrimination
- Retaliation
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Dean Caras - Founder | Active | 39 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
Stephan Zouras, LLP Attorneys at Law is a Chicago-based firm providing representation in collective actions, individual litigation, and class actions. It assists individuals and their families in holding employers accountable for actions that violate federal and state employment laws. Its legal team handles different types of cases, such as discrimination, breach of contract, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The firm also offers legal counsel in cases involving whistleblower claims and privacy and cybersecurity rights.
- Whistleblower
- Discrimination
- ERISA
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| James Zouras - Partner and Founder | Active | 29 yrs |
Why choose this provider?
For more than 80 years, Ancel Glink has served clients from its in Chicago location, with additional offices in Naperville, Bloomington, Vernon Hills, and Crystal Lake. The full-service law practice helps employers with collective bargaining, organizing campaigns, grievance and union petition processes, personnel, training, and litigation, including tort and civil rights litigation. Additionally, the firm represents clients before the NLRB, deals with administrative hearings and appeals, and arbitrates contract negotiations. Other practice areas include workers' compensation and business litigation.
- Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
- Retaliation
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Ellen Emery - Partner | Active | 42 yrs |
| Kurt Asprooth - Partner | Active | 13 yrs |
| Stewart Diamond - Partner | Active | 61 yrs |
| Daniel Bolin - Partner | Active | 16 yrs |
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Avvo
- 4.9 (14)
Why choose this provider?
Since its establishment in 2007, Clark Law Group, PLLC, has been protecting the rights of employees in and around Chicago. Attorney Denise Clark has more than two decades of experience in employment law, representing clients who have been discriminated against in the workplace based on sexual orientation, race, religion, pregnancy, or disability. The firm also assists those subjected to unpaid wages, misclassification, and workplace safety violations. The firm also reviews and negotiates restrictive covenants and severance agreements for its clients.
- Discrimination
- Minimum Wage
Attorney Information
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Denise Clark - Founder | Active | 35 yrs |
Compare our Top Employment Lawyers
| Name | Expertise Rating | Address | Promotions | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Legal Group | 111 W Washington St Ste 1611, Chicago, IL60602 | View More | ||
| Foote, Mielke, Chavez & O’Neil, LLC | 161 N. Clark Street, 25th FloorChicago, IL 60601, Chicago, IL60601 | View More | ||
| Werman Salas P.C. | 77 W Washington St Ste 1402, Chicago, IL60602 | View More | ||
| Halunen Law | 415 N La Salle Dr Ste 300A, Chicago, IL60654 | View More | ||
| G & G Law, LLC | 4619 N Ravenswood Ave Ste 205A, Chicago, IL60640 | View More | ||
| Ed Fox & Associates, Ltd. | 300 West Adams Street, Chicago, IL60606 | View More | ||
| Stephen A. Glickman, P.C. | 55 W Monroe St Ste 3700, Chicago, IL60603 | View More | ||
| Case + Sedey, LLC | 250 South Wacker Drive Ste 230 www.thecaselawfirm.com, Chicago, IL60606 | View More | ||
| Edelman Combs Latturner & Goodwin LLC | 20 S. Clark Street Suite 1500, Chicago, IL60603 | View More | ||
| The Friedman Firm | 53 West Jackson Blvd. #1028, Chicago, IL60604 | View More | ||
| Herbert Law Firm | 206 S. Jefferson Suite 100, Chicago, IL60661 | View More | ||
| Meltser Law Group | 3100 Dundee Rd Ste 915, Northbrook, IL60062 | View More | ||
| Caras Law Group | 320 W. Illinois Street Suite 2312, Chicago, IL60654 | View More | ||
| Stephan Zouras, LLP Attorneys at Law | 100 N Riverside Plaza Suite 2150, Chicago, IL60606 | View More | ||
| Ancel Glink | 140 S Dearborn St Ste 600, Chicago, IL60603 | View More | ||
| Clark Law Group, PLLC | 150 N Wacker Ste 1925, Chicago, IL60606 | View More |
Disclaimer: Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
FAQs
What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Chicago, Illinois?
You can call 311 to report non-emergency situations in Chicago.
Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Chicago, Illinois?
You can request a copy of a police report in person at the Central Police Headquarters, 3510 S. Michigan, 1st Floor, Room 1043. You can also send your request by mail and address it to the Chicago Police Department, Records Inquiry and Customer Service Section, Unit 163, 3510 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60653.
What are the rights of employees in Chicago?
In general, employees in Chicago have the right to fair wages, paid sick leave, and overtime pay for working over 40 hours. They have the right to a work environment free from discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation. Additionally, they have the right to meal breaks and one rest day a week. According to Illinois law, workers are also entitled to time off, such as family bereavement and emergency responder leaves.
How much do employees receive for overtime in Chicago?
Non-exempt employees can receive overtime pay of around 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for every hour worked over 40 hours. The overtime pay can be calculated by dividing the weekly salary by 40 and multiplying by 1.5. If you need to address a related legal concern, you should consult a Chicago employment attorney.
How many hours can an employee work in Chicago?
Generally, federal and state laws do not set a limit on the number of hours an employee can work in Chicago. However, employers are often required to provide at least 24 hours of paid time off per week. According to Illinois law, workers should have a 20-minute unpaid break for every 7.5 hours of work. An experienced Chicago employment lawyer can help you deal with employment-related legal concerns.
Can an employer terminate you immediately in Chicago?
An employer in Chicago can terminate you at any time, with or without any reason or cause. This is because Illinois is an employment-at-will state. However, the grounds or reasons for termination should not be for unlawful purposes. The employer must not discriminate against you based on age, race, gender, or national origin. If you are dealing with these circ*mstances, it is best to seek the legal advice of a reputable Chicago employment attorney.
Can employees work seven days a week in Chicago?
Employees can work seven days a week, but they can only do so for up to eight weeks a year. Their employers can get permission from the Department of Labor. However, the One Day Rest in Seven Act provides employees with the right to a rest day per week and breaks for meals during work shifts. It is advisable to contact a Chicago employment lawyer if you need further advice on these matters.
What does an employment attorney do?
Employment attorneys represent workers, companies, unions, and advocacy groups. Their primary job is preventing and resolving disputes related to state and federal employment regulations as well as civil rights. They assist with the development of policies, including laws and employee handbooks, and they represent clients in court and during administrative hearings overseen by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and state-level labor agencies.
How much should I ask for in a discrimination lawsuit?
Employment-related claims are among the most complex and time-consuming lawsuits heard in the civil court system. Before workers can file a lawsuit, they must file a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Every year, the EEOC recovers $505 million for victims of workplace discrimination. When cases proceed to court, the average settlement is approximately $40,000. However, roughly 10% of claimants receive at least $1 million.
How do I prove discrimination in the workplace?
Discrimination lawsuits are typically based on an established pattern of behavior in the workplace. Employment attorneys who handle these claims generally advise clients to gather evidence and document all instances of discrimination, harassment, or abuse, as they occur. The following documents are often vital for proving workplace discrimination:
- Personnel files
- Payroll records
- Employee handbooks
- Diary or journal entries
- Medical or mental health records
- Reports from witnesses
- Photos or video footage
- Physical evidence
Can I sue my company for a hostile work environment?
Yes, offensive or unwelcome conduct that creates a hostile work environment and affects your terms of employment may give you reason to take legal action. However, rude or abusive behavior on its own isn’t illegal. It must also be tied to other legal issues, such as retaliation for reporting harassment or discrimination directed at members of a protected group.
What is the EEOC?
The EEOC is the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It's a federal agency tasked with helping to enforce laws concerning discrimination in the workplace. Not all employers are covered under the EEOC. Typically, you have to work for an organization with at least 15 employees or for a labor union or agency to be covered by EEOC protections.
How do I report an abusive boss?
If you believe you're being discriminated against, you have several options. First, follow internal reporting procedures with human resources or other leadership. You can also file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC. Talking to an employment attorney can help you understand your options and protect your interests.
What laws protect employees from job discrimination?
- The Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides employees with protection against discrimination based on a wide variety of factors, including national origin, sex, religion, race, and color.
- The Age Discrimination Act of 1967 applies age to the protected class.
- The Equal Pay Act of 1963 forbids sex-based compensation discrimination.
- The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 makes it illegal to discriminate on the grounds of disability in terms of employment decisions.
- The Civil Rights Act of 1991 adds more protection and power to the federal government to enforce some of these laws.
How do I file a wrongful termination claim?
You can file a wrongful termination claim with the EEOC online, via mail, or in person at various EEOC branch offices. You may be able to file a complaint with a state agency. To determine an appropriate plan of action and which organizations you can file with, speak to an employment lawyer.
What is unfair treatment at work?
Unfair treatment is not the same as unlawful treatment. There aren't laws against unfair treatment, which can include a boss who generally bullies people into action or someone who doesn't make fair decisions about time off because of nepotism or mood. Such issues may not constitute a claim for a court argument or allegation, unlike unjust judgments made on the grounds of race or age. An employment attorney can clarify if unfair treatment is also unlawful.
What are some workers\' rights related to injury and illness?
Employees have a variety of rights related to time off if they're injured or fall ill. For example, in workplaces covered by the Federal Medical Leave Act, workers are allowed to take up to 12 weeks off without losing their position in a company. The leave is unpaid unless PTO time can be used to cover it. Employees may also have rights to file a workers' comp claim if they're injured on the job. All of these laws cover different situations and types of employers, and an employment attorney can help you understand what rights you have.
Can an employer force you to work?
This is a gray area in some cases, which is why it may be a good idea to consult an employment lawyer if you have concerns about your workplace. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration , workers have a right to refuse to work in dangerous situations. But the burden of proof that this is, in fact, the case, can weigh heavily on the employee.
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