On those occasions when litigation cannot be avoided, Zuber Lawler’s attorneys offer clients a wealth of trial and appellate experience having successfully defended myriad employment cases in state and federal courts (including jury trials), as well as before administrative and regulatory bodies. Matters have included both single-plaintiff and class actions. Our attorneys also represent clients expertly in arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, and other alternative dispute resolution processes.
Employment Consulting
Outside of litigation, our employment practice is focused on reducing exposure to employment-related claims. Our lawyers advise and counsel management and human resources professionals regarding the full range of issues arising from the employer/ employee relationship. We regularly train management and staff, assist in drafting and implementing employee handbooks and other policies and procedures, as well as prepare employment contracts, restrictive covenants, and other agreements. Our knowledge of current employment law legislation and rulings enables us to apprise clients of issues that may affect them and to assist in minimizing litigation risks. Our attorneys are well-aware of the growth in the use of internal investigations to deal privately with highly sensitive employment-related issues and we provide these services to our clients.
Union Negotiations Experience
Our background in traditional labor-related representation has been extremely helpful in our representation of clients with significant numbers of union and non-union employees. We have experience with labor negotiations including serving as Chief Negotiator in collective bargaining negotiations on behalf of various public entities such as the County of Cook, Illinois, and the Housing Authority of Joliet, Illinois. Firm attorneys also have experience in handling grievances and arbitrations, including unfair labor practice matters for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. As to other arbitrations, during 2007-2008, our attorneys served as one of three firms selected by a major food producer on a nationwide basis to provide single grievant discipline/discharge arbitrations and precedent-setting contract interpretation arbitrations.