Employment Attorneys and Litigators

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Chicago Employment Law Attorneys

For decades, our employment lawyers in Chicago have helped clients assert their rights and secure meaningful results in complex employment law cases. With over $250 million recovered for our clients and a reputation as one of Chicago’s top worker-rights law firms, we remain dedicated to achieving justice for employees who have been wronged. Many clients hesitate to come forward after being mistreated by employers or co-workers because they worry about what might happen. Our legal professionals take time to listen to your concerns so we can find the right legal solutions to help you pursue the fair compensation you may deserve.

Our employment attorneys at Workplace Law Partners stay current with Illinois and Cook County employment law, offering guidance rooted in local knowledge. Employment laws and court procedures often differ from county to county, so our team tailors guidance based on Chicago regulations and its court system. We handle disputes involving retaliation, whistleblower protection, and non-compete agreements, and develop tailored strategies for each employment context. Our representation extends to clients from neighborhoods across the city, including the Loop, River North, and the suburbs, reflecting the needs and concerns of the diverse Chicago workforce.

Protect your workplace rights with an experienced employment lawyer in Chicago. Get the legal support you deserve—contact us online today or call (312) 818-2407.

Understanding the Employment Law Process in Chicago

Navigating employment law in Chicago requires an understanding of local and state laws that shape worker protections. Many claims begin with an investigation by a local agency such as the Chicago Commission on Human Relations or the Illinois Department of Human Rights. These agencies review complaints involving discrimination, harassment, or wage issues. Our team explains each phase, from filing an initial complaint to mediations or hearings when needed. For cases involving retaliation, unpaid wages, or workplace discrimination, we clarify how Chicago’s ordinances affect your timeline and legal options. This guidance helps clients avoid missed deadlines and strengthens their case during employment disputes under Illinois law.

FAQs

What employment protections are available to workers in Chicago?

Workers in Chicago have rights under Illinois law and city ordinances. Local protections cover discrimination, harassment, fair pay, and paid sick leave. In some cases, Chicago’s rules give employees even more rights than the state standards.

How long does it take to resolve an employment law case in Chicago?

The time to resolve an employment law case can range from a few weeks for wage claims to several months or longer for cases involving major litigation or agency review. We inform clients about likely timelines based on the details in each claim and the venue handling the dispute.

Can I file a claim if I still work for my employer?

Yes, many workers file claims while still employed. Chicago and Illinois law prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who raise good-faith concerns about workplace rights or legal violations.

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Employment Law Services We Provide at Our Firm

We have a strong reputation for ethically and professionally advocating for our clients' rights. When you choose our employment law attorneys to handle your case, we immediately begin developing a customized legal strategy tailored to your unique goals.

Our legal team manages a wide range of employment law cases for clients throughout Chicago. We frequently represent clients in disputes before the Chicago Commission on Human Relations and protect employee rights under the Illinois Human Rights Act. Whether you need help understanding a severance agreement or want to challenge an unlawful termination, we guide you through each step. We clarify how city ordinances and state laws apply to your situation, and work with you to pursue the best legal remedies for your case.

How We Approach Workplace Disputes in Illinois

Employment disputes often need more than a standard response. Our employment attorneys in Chicago gather all relevant details for your situation, advise you on the impact of Illinois law, and outline your options within local courts or government agencies. We routinely handle cases that involve wage disputes, retaliation, and complex contract issues, and understand the urgency clients feel when facing challenging workplace situations. By offering practical guidance and clear explanations, our team helps clients make informed decisions at each step. In Chicago, we also factor in local court customs and procedures that may affect your case's outcome or resolution timeline.

If you would like to discuss your case with our employment lawyers in Chicago, then please give us a call today at (312) 818-2407 or reach out online.

Practice Areas

What Makes Workplace Law Partners Different?

Proven Results

We’ve recovered over $250 million for our clients and represented thousands of clients across Illinois.
Recognized Leadership

Widely recognized as one of Chicago’s top worker-rights law firms, we fight tirelessly to protect and uphold employee rights.
Over 100 Years of Combined Legal Experience
Our extensive legal experience and diversity allow us to collaborate and find the best possible solution for you.
Highly Recommended By Clients
Read what our past clients have said about us.

Meet The Workplace Law Partners Team

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Resources

Understanding your rights at work should not require a law degree. Workplace Law Partners has assembled free videos, guides, articles, checklists, sample language, and course materials addressing common employment issues in Illinois. These resources explain the law in practical terms and identify steps employees can take to document a problem, communicate with an employer, preserve important information, and locate the appropriate government agency

Discrimination, Disability, and Retaliation

How to get a reasonable accomodation at work. - Need a reasonable accommodation at work—but not sure how to ask? In this video, an Illinois employment lawyer explains the practical steps employees can take to request a reasonable accommodation for a medical condition, disability, pregnancy-related limitation, or religious need. Learn what to say, when to make the request, what documentation may be needed, and what employers are generally required to do once you ask. You do not always need a lawyer to make the initial request. This video is designed to help you advocate for yourself, communicate clearly with HR or your supervisor, and recognize warning signs that your employer may not be handling the request appropriately.
Fired? Here's exactly what to do in the first 72 hours – without a lawyer and for free.- Sign nothing. Say little. Write everything down. Then use the rights Illinois law already gives you. In this video, employment attorney David Fish of Workplace Law Partners walks you through the first three days after a termination, hour by hour: HOUR 1 — Why you should never sign anything in the room (and the one sentence to say instead). The 21-day rule for workers 40 and older. What to write down tonight before the story changes. HOUR 2 — What to gather from your own devices and email — and what not to touch. DAY 2 — The Personnel Record Review Act: how to force your former employer to hand over your file in 7 days with a five-minute email (the exact wording is on screen — pause and copy it). Plus your final paycheck and vacation payout rights. DAY 3 — Why "fired" does not disqualify you from unemployment, what "misconduct" actually means, and how to handle it if your employer contests. Then the three questions to ask before you sign any severance agreement.
Workplace Discrimination: Employee Rights, Complaints, and Remedies - A practical overview of federal and Illinois protections against workplace discrimination, including protected characteristics, common forms of unequal treatment, filing options, retaliation protections, and possible remedies.
When HR Becomes Part of the Problem - Uses a discrimination and retaliation verdict to examine weak investigations, post-complaint papering, predetermined performance plans, shifting explanations, and the harm caused when HR appears to manufacture a termination record.
Racial Discrimination in the Workplace - Explains how race and color discrimination can affect hiring, pay, assignments, discipline, promotion, harassment, and termination, with guidance on preserving evidence and pursuing a complaint.

Age Discrimination in Employment - Explains federal and Illinois age-discrimination protections, common warning signs in hiring, layoffs, discipline, promotion, and replacement decisions, and the evidence employees should consider preserving.
Criminal Records and Employment Rights in Illinois - Explains when Illinois employers may consider conviction records, the individualized-assessment and notice process, mitigating information an applicant or employee may provide, and how unlawful conviction-record discrimination may be challenged.
How the EEOC Charge Process Works - A step-by-step guide to filing an EEOC charge, including what information to collect, how mediation and investigation work, what a right-to-sue notice means, and why filing deadlines matter.
Workplace Retaliation: Protected Activity and Warning Signs - Explains protected activity and the many forms retaliation can take, including termination, discipline, reduced hours, schedule changes, exclusion, and heightened scrutiny, as well as evidence that may connect an adverse action to a complaint.

Sexual Harassment

Comparing Federal, Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago Sexual-Harassment Laws - Compares the principal workplace-harassment protections that may apply in the Chicago area, including employer coverage, legal standards, training requirements, filing options, and remedies.
Sexual Harassment Rights in Illinois - A comprehensive guide to quid pro quo and hostile-environment harassment, reporting, employer investigations, evidence preservation, retaliation, filing options, and possible remedies.
Civil Claims Arising From Sexual Abuse - Explains potential civil remedies for survivors of sexual abuse, including claims available under Illinois law, relevant evidence, and the relationship between civil and criminal proceedings.
LGBTQ+ Discrimination and Harassment at Work - Reviews protections against discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, together with practical steps for documenting and reporting workplace mistreatment.

Pregnancy, Disability Accomodations, and Religion

Pregnancy Discrimination At Work - Tips for dealing with pregnancy discrimination at work without the need for hiring a lawyer.
Disability Discrimination and Reasonable Accommodations in Illinois - Explains disability discrimination, reasonable accommodations, the interactive process, supporting documentation, common accommodation disputes, and options following a denial or retaliatory response.
Religious Discrimination and Workplace Accommodations - Explains religious discrimination and harassment, scheduling, dress, prayer, and observance accommodations, the current undue-hardship standard, and how employees can make and document an accommodation request.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and Illinois Law - Explains federal and Illinois pregnancy-accommodation rights, common accommodations, how to request assistance, how the accommodation process should work, and where employees may report discrimination or retaliation.

Wages, Overtime

Unpaid Wages - Overview of unpaid wage rights in Illinois.
Illinois Wage-and-Hour Rights -An overview of unpaid wages, overtime, minimum wage, employee misclassification, unlawful deductions, and other pay violations, with practical information about claims and potential recovery.
Overtime Pay: Who Qualifies and How It Is Calculated - Explains who may be entitled to overtime, why a salary or job title does not necessarily make someone exempt, common exemption and misclassification issues, regular-rate calculations, recordkeeping, and complaint options.
Unpaid Wages, Commissions, Bonuses, and Final Compensation - Explains Illinois rules governing final pay, commissions, bonuses, accrued vacation, deductions, and withheld wages, together with administrative and court options for pursuing payment.
Illinois and Cook County Paid Leave Law: Your Rights at Work - Overview of the right to paid leave in Cook County, Illinois.

Whistleblowers, Safety, and Public Employment

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Our Client Reviews

Hear Why Clients Consistently Recommend Us

"Michelle Faron was fantastic"
She helped me stay on point to argue my case and we won!

- K O.
"Without a doubt, I recommend Attorney Pacheco."
he guided me through every step of the process and kept me informed of all developments.

- Catalina H.
"She was so nice and helpful"
Kim Hilton answered all my general questions that she could in our time frame

- Carolyn N.
"Thank you so much for helping me win my case!"
John Kunze was assigned to my case last minute a day before my hearing and did an exceptional job representing me

- Brittany R.
"I was able to obtain a very satisfactory outcome"
I was able to obtain representation free of charge

- John B.
"I would recommend him to anyone"
He helped me win a case, I almost gave up on

- Mary E.
"I am happy with the outcome of my case and know how much work Thalia put in"
Thalia always kept me updated and has great communication.

- Steve V.
"I highly recommend David Fish and Workplace Law Partners!"
Additionally, his excellent communication skills, understanding and empathy for my situation, and professionalism made me feel confident in his abilities to get the outcome I desired.

- Brooke S.