Labor & Employment: Illinois

THE FIRM The Chicago office of this internationally renowned firm is acknowledged for its global fund work and cross-disciplinary expertise in labor and employment law, servicing big-names such as Whirlpool in class action, benefits and compensation matters.

Sources say: "They have international breadth and depth in all the key technical areas."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Maura Ann McBreen is "a tireless worker with superb legal knowledge" and 30-plus years of market experience representing large public companies in matters concerning executive compensation.

Ryan Vann is an associate whose experience in labor relations law and recent involvement in Whirlpool's medical benefit class action have earned him market recognition as "a younger lawyer with a lot of skill."

THE FIRM SNR Denton's employee benefits and executive compensation practice focuses largely on ERISA matters, while on the labor and employment side the firm offers expertise in discrimination wrongful discharge litigation, wage and hour class actions and OSHA matters. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chair of the firm's national employee benefits and executive compensation practice, Pamela Baker is "definitely a star" and is acclaimed for her expert handling of equity incentive issues and activities governed by the SEC.  

THE FIRM Drinker Biddle's Chicago office is home to a prominent benefits and compensation practice, cited as a market leader in the representation of large financial and academic institutions, as well as foreign and domestic corporations. A subset of the benefits team is specifically dedicated to employment class action work, with specialty expertise in ERISA litigation. 

Sources say: "Very good, very current. Their presentations were very concise and focused on the key points."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Howard Levine chairs the firm's employee benefits and executive compensation practice, while focusing his own "highly skilled" work on pension, 401(k) and ESOP matters. Clients credit his "technical review abilities" and "thorough welfare plan preparation."

Also a key member of Drinker's employee benefits and executive compensation group, vice chair Michael Rosenbaum's practice involves designing tax-qualified retirement and compensation plans and advising on benefit arrangements for executives of tax-exempt organizations. Sources "recommend his terrific services."  

David Wolfe has a Chicago benefits practice emphasizing tax-exempt organizations and is, according to clients, "extremely informed in the handling of 401(k) plans."

THE FIRM Ford & Harrison is a large-scale labor and employment boutique known on the Illinois market for representing employers and company management. The firm's recognized clients include HJ Heinz and Ryan International Airlines.

Sources say: "Outstanding customer focus." "Its relatively small size gives it a family feel."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Craig Thorstenson's practice litigating employment disputes is commended by clients, along with his ability to "quickly analyze situations and provide counsel."

THE FIRM Franczek Radelet is a premier labor and employment boutique whose single Chicago office reaches 48 of the 50 states and houses a team of more than 50 attorneys focusing on labor, employment and employee benefits law. Also notable is the firm's reputation for having the largest percentage of female labor and employment lawyers in the practice.

Sources say: "The work has been outstanding!"

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Franczek is, according to peers, "possibly the most well-known employment lawyer in the city." As president of the firm, and chief counsel for the City of Chicago, clients suggest that "Jim may be one of the most knowledgeable and experienced public sector labor attorneys in the country."

Amy Zdravecky is the firm's rising star, with a practice that centers around labor relations and contract negotiations.

THE FIRM This team handles employment litigation, counseling and traditional labor law, blending the directed expertise of a boutique with the resources of a full-service firm. The group's clients include high-profile names such as Boston Market, CVS Pharmacy and McDonald's. 

Sources say: "Their rates are good and their litigation skills are great." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Shapiro has a traditional labor and employment practice, counseling and litigating on behalf of employer clients, who laud him as "an outstanding generalist labor lawyer."

THE FIRM Focused primarily on management representations for corporate clients such as Pfizer and FirstGroup America, Jackson Lewis carries a reputation in Chicago for handling single and multiplaintiff discrimination and harassment suits. It has a broad range of labor and employment specializations, including diversity planning, disability and health management and employee benefits.

Sources say: "They have a wonderful ability to put our company at ease." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jane McFetridge is "a very confident, skilled attorney," with an Illinois practice focused on individual and class action suits in employment litigation. She has had recent success in the representation of Pfizer against an allegation of age discrimination.

THE FIRM Jones Day is a national presence in the labor and employment market and, with 20 lawyers based in its Chicago office, is an important local player too. It defends marquee companies such as McDonald's, Nationwide Mutual Insurance and Verizon in major litigation and class action suits as well as representing them in negotiations with the unions. The team has been engaged on behalf of the National Railway Labor Conference to assist in multiemployer collective bargaining involving all the major rail unions.

Sources say: "Jones Day really understands our business and has helped us make operational changes that have helped us mitigate the risk of future litigation while not adversely impacting the quality of our service or product."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Lawrence DiNardo is the firm's thoroughly experienced global practice head and a celebrated individual on the Chicago market acknowledged to be "a terrific lawyer with a great base of expertise." He has been representing the National Railway Labor Conference in the work mentioned above.

Michael Gray is a "personable, energetic" lawyer praised by peers for his employment litigation expertise and for "really moving the practice forward."

THE FIRM Katten Muchin is a name frequently uttered on the Chicago market in association with complex employee benefits and executive compensation matters, namely on behalf of clients such as Sears, Ball Corporation and Cardinal Health. The highly experienced group boasts a repertoire of expertise in compliance, litigation, government audits and enforcement actions.

Sources say: "I love that Katten has such a depth of subject matter expertise."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gregory Brown "definitely has a lock on the ESOP market." He chairs the firm's Chicago employee benefits practice and has recently been representing GreatBanc Trust, a trustee of Atlas Energy, in ESOP matters relating to the merger of Atlas Energy with Chevron. "He is excellent in legal knowledge and all other respects of his practice - including a fabulous personality," said a source.

THE FIRM Dedicated solely to management-side labor and employment representations, Laner Muchin has a superbly skilled team comprising 42 dedicated lawyers.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing partner Joseph Gagliardo chairs the firm's litigation department and is recognized by clients familiar with his employment class action practice as "extremely knowledgeable and easy to work with." 

Joseph Yastrow is a "very, very accomplished lawyer," particularly for his work in discrimination and harassment litigation, and OSHA matters.  

THE FIRM Littler Mendelson's sizable, 37-attorney Chicago office is supported by a superb national network that most other labor and employment teams find difficult to match. It has a stable of clients spanning the pharmaceutical, manufacturing, insurance and technology industries, and is adept in a range of employment litigation and labor relations matters.

Sources say: "I was highly impressed with Littler's high-quality work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Barry Hartstein is a prolific writer and speaker and an "exceptionally capable lawyer," known to the Chicago employment community for his "quick, realistic" handling of labor and employment disputes.

THE FIRM This full-service Chicago office has a superb reputation for its handling of employee benefit and executive compensation matters. It has an eye for large-scale matters on behalf of prominent corporate clients, and is often engaged in complex cases involving cross-border elements and disputes with executives. As an example, it has been defending Henderson Global Investors in litigation brought by the managing director for North America alleging age discrimination and violation of executive compensation plans. Potential witnesses include several members of the company's senior management team in London.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Debra Hoffman is an "extremely knowledgeable" benefits lawyer working on behalf of notable corporate clients such as Prologis and Caterpillar. He covers ERISA matters, employee benefit plans and executive compensation. 

Marcia Goodman has an exceptionally active labor and employment practice defending employers such as Caterpillar and Nestlé Waters North America in federal class discriminatory claims.

Kim Leffert practices as a litigator, dealing primarily in labor and employment disputes. She is leading on the Henderson Global representation and is broadly experienced in wage and hour and equal employment opportunity issues.  

Chairman of the firm, Herbert Krueger is "absolutely key when it comes to benefits law," with a concentration in private equity funds, ERISA fiduciary matters and executive compensation. He is "extremely knowledgeable and practical," according to sources.

Lennine Occhino operates solely in ERISA fiduciary and pension investment matters. She is hailed as "phenomenally talented" by sources, who note that she is "timely in her response, knowledgeable about the issues and able to apply the legal analysis to come up with practical solutions and examples of how others in the industry have handled the matter."

THE FIRM Fielding a team of 50 lawyers, McDermott's Chicago office is notable for having one of the largest employee benefits teams on the market, capable of handling any type of complex matter. A notable new client in this regard is Yahoo!, whom the team is advising in relation to health and welfare-related benefits work, including healthcare reform, and qualified retirement plans. The office also covers a range of traditional labor and employment law matters on behalf of its often healthcare-oriented clients.

Sources say: "Their service is outstanding." "They met or beat all of my deadlines. It made me look good so I appreciated that - and the work was quality!"

KEY INDIVIDUALS Joe Adams is "a phenomenal attorney," whose employee benefits and executive compensation practice focuses more specifically on the development of unique salary and incentive structures in compensation programs. Peers hold him in high regard for his responsiveness and activity on behalf of clients US Sugar and Motorola Solutions.

Nancy Ross is revered on the Illinois market for her ERISA litigation practice and is noted as "exceptional in the field." With expertise in the representation of employers, boards of directors, plan fiduciaries and trustees, her recent work has been in defense of State Street and Northrop Grumman.

Paul Compernolle operates purely in the arena of employee benefits, with a practice emphasizing 401(k) pension plans and ESOPs, as well the benefits side of acquisitions and sales.

Karen Simonsen is a lawyer who exhibits "meticulous attention to detail." Her practice is centered on qualified retirement plan compliance issues, equity compensation programs and fiduciary matters.

Stephen Erf is praised by clients as "an excellent attorney," who has "the right degree of experience and exposure." Practicing in civil rights and benefits matters, much of his work concerns wage and hour matters, union issues, collective bargaining and restrictive covenants.

Jared Kaplan is a distinguished veteran of McDermott's team, commended by fellow lawyers on the Chicago employee benefits and executive compensation market for his expertise in ESOP matters, federal tax and corporate finance.

THE FIRM McGuireWoods' Illinois office offers a wide range of labor and employment services, including litigation, employee benefits, wage and hour and compliance review assistance. Drawing on a national footprint, the practice caters to local, national and multinational clients. 

Sources say: "High-quality legal representation at very reasonable rates."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Lieberman is praised by peers for his "tremendous experience" on the Chicago labor and employment market. He offers expertise in complex litigation involving employment, commercial and IP disputes.

Chair of the firm's labor and employment department, Joel Spitz is a "deservingly recognized" litigator with particular prowess in the handling of discrimination litigation. He also handles work in the areas of confidentiality and noncompete agreements.

THE FIRM Stacking up 17 years in the Chicago market, this firm's tremendous Illinois office practices nationally on behalf of public and private sector employers, academic institutions and nonprofits. The team exerts expertise in the areas of employment litigation, compliance and general counseling and management relations.

Sources say: "Their local work is absolutely fantastic!"

KEY INDIVIDUALS Joseph Tilson is an esteemed presence on the Chicago market, known for his "terrific success" in matters considered "particularly important" to the labor and employment community. With his flourishing practice in employment litigation and labor arbitration, peers commend him as an "outstanding lawyer."

Brian Bulger advises employers in relation to discrimination and wrongful termination litigation, collective bargaining and union avoidance.

Paul Garry has amassed more than 30 years of experience in labor and employment law. He divides his time between the firm's Chicago and Phoenix offices. 

THE FIRM Morgan Lewis sets the gold standard in the Illinois market. The heavyweight practice handles the gamut of labor and employment and employee benefits work, including complex and multiplaintiff claims involving race, sex, age and disabilities. It is also home to the foremost OSHA practice in the nation, representing up to 75% of the refinery industry along with illustrious names such as Comcast, Walgreens and United Airlines. The team recently won a precedent-setting ERISA decision on behalf of client Computer Sciences Corporation.

Sources say: "Their product is just outstanding, way beyond my expectations!"

KEY INDIVIDUALS Philip Miscimarra is a "fantastic lawyer," heavily involved in traditional labor matters, and has recently appeared before Congress in favor of employer-friendly administrative changes. He is a prolific writer and cochair of the firm's workforce change group, and sources say: "If you need a lawyer and a scholar, you give Phil a call."

"Tremendous litigator" Charles Jackson is cochair of the firm's employee benefits litigation practice. Clients bear witness to his expertise in ERISA class action matters, while peers praise his high-profile client list and leadership abilities. He is the lead partner in the Computer Sciences Corporation matter.

Nina Stillman has an employment class action practice known to the Chicago market for unusual, prestigious and political cases. Recently, she has been representing United Airlines in an ADA class action brought by the EEOC.

Sari Alamuddin, noted for employment and benefits litigation, is cited by peers for "truly moving the platform forward."

David Ackerman leads the firm's ESOP practice and is nationally recognized for his high-profile work representing corporations and their shareholders in ESOP-related transactions.

THE FIRM Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg counsels a broad range of private and public clients in matters ranging from benefits and retirement plans to discrimination and noncompete cases. The 16-strong Chicago team is noted for its work on behalf of clients such as Jack Cooper Transport and Kronos Food. 

Sources say: "Overall, it's a great firm to work with. NGE provides excellent work product while doing so in a much more client-friendly environment than larger firms."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jeffrey Bakker is an "exceptionally dedicated attorney," with a practice focused on employee compensation law and matters involving IRS controversies. Colleagues praise his "unique skill set," and "hands-on approach to time-sensitive matters."

Howard Bernstein has a practice focused on labor and employment arbitration, contract negotiations and discrimination litigation. Commended by clients for his attitude and technical proficiency, the advice he provides "runs a nice balance between practical and legally possible."

Chair of the firm's employee benefits and executive compensation practice, Patricia Cain "has the polished decorum to operate smoothly in the benefits arena." With experience representing employers in both litigation and matters before the IRS, "she is technically proficient and very easy to work with."

Gerald Golden's 35 years in the Chicago labor and employment market have resulted in an intimate knowledge of federal and state employment laws such as the ADA and the FMLA and more general antidiscrimination issues.  

THE FIRM Ogletree is an expanding presence on the Chicago market that now deploys 25 lawyers dedicated to labor, employment and employee benefits law, and offers clients such as Sara Lee, Best Buy and JPMorgan Chase an evolving, technology-based approach to management training. It handles a wide range of employment litigation and labor relations matters.

Sources say: "With Ogletree, we get quality service and lawyering."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Arthur Smith is considered "a real treasure" by market sources, who praise his experience, knowledge, and ability to "think outside the box." He is the firm's co-managing shareholder and handles both litigation and regulatory compliance.

Robert Casey is "a gifted advocate," with a practice centered on strike planning, collective bargaining, labor arbitration and benefits litigation. Recently, he has represented Archer Western and Tyco International in project labor agreements.  

THE FIRM Schiff Hardin's traditional labor and employment practice in Chicago offers comprehensive support to management in matters ranging from discrimination claims to union negotiations. The team places a heavy emphasis on keeping its clients out of court wherever possible.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Max Brittain is the "dean of Illinois labor and employment law" and a veteran of the Chicago market. He is very active within the casino industry and is recognized for his extensive experience presenting matters before the NLRB and EEOC.

Patricia Costello Slovak's labor and employment practice focuses on management representation and carries with it the respect of Chicago's legal community.

Ralph Morris is "quite a fine lawyer," praised for his traditional labor and employment dispute practice and advice to employers on litigation avoidance.

Since publication, Steven Catlett has joined the firm from Sidley Austin. Catlett focuses on nationwide employment litigation and class actions. Peers assert that he is "a well-known lawyer."

THE FIRM Seyfarth Shaw stands as an indomitable presence on the labor and employment market, offering its stellar list of clients expertise in all manner of labor and employment-related work. The depth of the practice is evidenced by its assembling of a dedicated ERISA group within its broader collection of employee benefits experts. The 105 practice-specific attorneys take on a staggering array of high-value and arcane employment litigation and labor law matters. As an example, the team recently represented Hewlett-Packard in negotiating a favorable settlement in a widely publicized CEO resignation matter.

Sources say: "Seyfarth Shaw operates at the highest level of the profession." "You give it to them and you can just let it go because there's such confidence in the lawyers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gerald Maatman is said by peers to be "one of the more highly regarded class action lawyers around," for his practice defending employers in wage and hour collective actions, EEOC suits, discrimination class actions and civil rights actions. Clients commend him as "an absolute go-to in the field."

Joel Kaplan represents management in his market-praised labor and employment practice. He offers particular dexterity in NLRB litigation.

Chair of the firm's national complex discrimination litigation practice, Camille Olson is "a fabulous lawyer" who earns commendation for her "superb relations with senior company executives" and for her "handling of significant labor and employment litigation." She played a central role in the complex Hewlett-Packard representation mentioned above.

Thomas Piskorski is regarded by clients as "a smashing success and extraordinary employment litigator" for his representation of company management in an extensive array of labor and employment matters.

Kenneth Dolin's Chicago practice draws the acknowledgment of peers, who say he is a "talented traditional labor lawyer." He also offers experience in employment litigation.

Ellen McLaughlin is "an expert in her field, very responsive and customer-focused." Focusing largely on litigation avoidance counseling, she is noted for her understanding of the complexities of specialized industries such as healthcare.  

Jeffrey Ross cochairs both the firm's reduction-in-force team and its hiring, testing and selection team. He is noted for his activity in complex workforce litigation. 

THE FIRM Sidley's Chicago office houses the majority of the nationwide firm's labor, employment and immigration team, which has recently represented KPMG in a series of wage and hour class actions, an area that is an increasingly important part of the practice. Other areas of focus for the labor and employment team include discrimination claims, Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act claims and labor arbitrations. On the employee benefits side, the firm is duly considered among the best of the best.

Sources say: "The work product is consistently excellent."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Priscilla Ryan specializes in the representation of large multinational corporations in the construction of retirement, health, compensation and benefits plans.

Stewart Shepherd's 30-plus years in the Chicago market have armed him, as a skilled benefits and compensation lawyer, with "very practical ERISA advice" and an expertise in fiduciary duties. 

Beth Dickstein is an expanding presence on the Chicago benefits and compensation market, adored by clients, who tout her "broad base of knowledge and incredible efficiency."

The talents of Brian Gold, the other practice co-head, led one market source to quip: "I think the firm should explore ways to clone Brian!" He is also hailed as "a superb lawyer, counselor and business partner."

THE FIRM Vedder Price's 30-strong labor and employment team has been handling a substantial number of discrimination and whistle-blower retaliation claims of late, and this in addition to handling complex cases involving trade secrets and breach of noncompete covenants. It has also been representing University of Chicago Medical Center in the negotiation of labor contracts. The group handles a wide range of matters on the employee benefits side, including ERISA litigation.

Sources say: "Vedder Price has a solid commitment to the market."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chair of the firm, Robert Stucker is "kind of a rock star," according to sources, who acknowledge him as a "lawyer with a lot of high-level work." He is cochair of the executive compensation group, specializing in contract and severance arrangements, and is active on behalf of clients such as Medtronic and ACCO Brands.

Michael Cleveland is celebrated by one client as "one of the smartest lawyers I've ever met." He offers expertise in wage and hour and ERISA litigation, and market sources report being "impressed with his brainpower."

Edward Jepson directs his Chicago practice toward high-level labor and employment investigation matters, as well as discrimination and retaliation claims. Clients appreciate his "no-nonsense advice" and "frank, honest opinion." 

Charles Wolf receives particular praise from Chicago market peers for his "specialty practice in withdrawal liability," and is considered to be "a top litigator" for his contribution to benefits matters.

Cochairing the executive compensation practice with Stucker is Thomas Desmond, who has recently worked with Hershey on its new equity plan and advised the compensation committee of Solera Holdings.

Since publication, Nicholas Anaclerio has joined the team from Ungaretti & Harris LLP. He carries a solid reputation for his work in contract noncompete and discrimination litigation.  

THE FIRM Winston & Strawn's illustrious Chicago labor and employment practice has been extremely busy of late in ERISA litigation and wage and hour class actions. Of particular note is the firm's representation of Caterpillar in a complex ERISA class action that encompasses traditional labor law. Abbott Laboratories is another company that has recently benefited from the firm's skill in this arena. The firm also fields a market-leading benefits and compensation practice that has recently advised the likes of Boeing, Lear Corporation and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients recognize Mark Weisberg as being "excellent at what he does," detailing his presence as "a strong overall benefits and executive compensation lawyer." Applying his expertise in negotiating retirement and welfare benefits, his efforts have been key in the recent representations of Nuveen Investments and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

Michael Melbinger heads the firm's national employee benefits and executive compensation practice while working principally on pension, ESOP and 401(k) plans. With further activity in fiduciary advising, he is said to go "above and beyond" for his clients.

Rex Sessions' Chicago discrimination and ERISA litigation practice has recently catered to a host of leading clients in the fashion industry, such as Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs, winning him market praise as "a very capable and effective lawyer." 

Joseph Torres is "excellent in ERISA matters" as well as "a fine traditional labor lawyer," according to sources. He is recognized for his work on behalf of Caterpillar in its long-standing ERISA class action.

Columbus Gangemi is a seasoned practitioner with more than 30 years in the Chicago labor and employment market. He is still active on behalf of a number of clients, and members of the community cite his consistently strong reputation.