Disclaimer:
     We handle Wrongful Termination, Race Discrimination, Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Age Discrimination, Disability Discrimination, and Religious Discrimination as well as retaliation, wrongful termination, FMLA violations (medical leave) and overtime claims under such laws as Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Wage and overtime pay claims come under the Fair Labor Standards Act. We also handle non-compete and severance negotiations, as well as cases involving police misconduct (also known as police brutality) such as false arrest and excessive force. While we regularly practice in both the Federal Courts in Chicago and Illinois Courts (Trial and Appeals) and before various agencies including the EEOC, Illinois Department of Employment Security (unemployment compensation claims) and the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) and Illinois Human Rights Commission, and can provide advice on these areas of the law, this site is not intended to provide specific advice. Police brutality, false arrest, excessive force, FMLA and overtime claims go directly to the courts. The FMLA and overtime pay laws are very specific; not everyone gets FMLA (medical leave) or overtime. The EEOC, Illinois Department of Human Rights, and Chicago Commission on Human Relations investigate cases of discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination. (Both Illinois and Federal law prohibit discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination, but some sexual harassment claims are not covered by Federal law.) While you are not required to have an employment lawyer to have your case investigated, you should take an employment lawyer with you, particularly for a wrongful termination claim or if your case is before the Illinois Department or Chicago Commission because of time limits. Wrongful termination in retaliation for overtime pay or FMLA complaints are not investigated by the EEOC, Illinois Department or Chicago Commission. Each case is different and you should discuss your case with an employment lawyer. While we negotiate severance, non-compete agreements and other employment contracts, the information contained in this site alone is insufficient to prepare you to negotiate without an employment lawyer. Unlike sexual harassment and wrongful termination claims (discrimination or retaliation) non-compete agreements can make you a defendant. Whether you are being sued for violating a non-compete, need to invalidate a non-compete, or have questions about a non-compete, you need an employment lawyer. Illinois law on non-compete agreements is very specific and you need an Illinois Employment Lawyer. This site is intended to assist you in recognizing a discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, overtime pay or FMLA claim, it is not intended to provide legal advice. If you have questions, please contact an employment lawyer.