Employment, Labor and Discrimination Issues

Our Employment, Labor and Discrimination Practice has established legal precedents for discrimination cases (race, sex, age, religion and national origin) and class action employment benefit and overtime wage cases (ERISA and FLSA, respectively). We represent both individuals and entities that have been discriminated against as well as employers and individuals wrongfully accused of various types of discrimination.

Empolyment & Labor Cases

Represented an employee who was fired for asserting workmen’s compensation rights. Case settled for substantial damages.
Represented Captain of tug-boat who complained to Coast Guard about safety violations on the boat and who was then fired by his employer. Case was appealed and Appellate Court held the Cause of Action existed. Case settled after remand. Zucculo v. Hannah Marine Corp., 387 Ill. App. 3d 561, 900 N.E.2d 353 (Ill. App. Ct. 1st Dist. 2008).
Successfully represented African-American factory worker discharged because of his race and won largest individual award of compensatory and punitive damages for race discrimination in Illinois at that time. Hunter v. Allis-Chalmers, 797 F.2d 1417 (7th Cir. 1986).
Represented University of Illinois in successful trial and appellate decision involving claims of age discrimination by rejected medical school applicant. Cannon v. The University of Health Sciences, 710 F.2d 351 (7th Cir. 1986).
Established precedent in plaintiff’s class-action ERISA case which permitted the plaintiff’s claim for misrepresentation of medical benefits. Vallone v. CNA Financial Corp., 76 F.Supp.2d 1131 (N.D. I11. 2000).
Established precedent in plaintiff’s class-action for recovery under the FLSA over-time provisions which resulted in class settlement. Adkins v. Mid-America Growers, Inc., 965 F.Supp.2d 1076 (N.D.I11.1997).
Trial verdict in favor of defendant, University of Illinois charged with sex discrimination.
Trial verdict in favor of defendant- landlord charged with racial discrimination in housing.
Trial verdict for plaintiff- postal workers against government for retaliatory discharge.
Represented minister evicted from parsonage by congregation. Bethany Reformed Church of Lynwood v. Hager, 406 N.E.2d 93 (1st I11.App. 1979).
Represented plaintiff in FLSA overtime wage case. Williams v. Alex’s Transp., Inc., 969 F.Supp. 1142 (N.D. I11. 1997).
Represented plaintiff in FLSA against defendant employer. Rose v. Consolidated Elec. Distributors, Inc., 816 F.Supp. 489 (N.D. I11. 1993).
Represented plaintiffs in class-action under FLSA. Adkins v. Mid-America Growers, Inc., 141 F.R.D. 466 (N.D. I11. 1992).
Represented plaintiff in age discrimination case against employer. Searight v. Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp., 625 F.Supp. 17 (N.D. I11. 1984).
Represented plaintiff in contract claims against owner of premises. Chicago Heights Venture v. Dynamit Nobel of America, Inc. 575 F.Supp. 214 (N.D. I11. 1983).

Discrimination and Defamation Cases

Defended a Director of an elder care facility against allegations of national origin and religious discrimination. Also prosecuted a counterclaim for defamation resulting in the dismissal of the claims for discrimination and the recovery of compensatory damages and attorney’s fees for the defamation counterclaim.
Successfully represented African-American factory worker discharged because of his race and won largest individual award of compensatory and punitive damages for race discrimination in Illinois at that time. Hunter v. Allis-Chalmers, 797 F.2d 1417 (7th Cir. 1986).
Represented University of Illinois in successful trial and appellate decision involving claims of age discrimination by rejected medical school applicant. Cannon v. The University of Health Sciences, 710 F.2d 351 (7th Cir. 1986).
Trial verdict in favor of defendant- landlord charged with racial discrimination in housing.
Represented plaintiff in age discrimination case against employer. Searight v. Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp., 625 F.Supp. 17 (N.D. I11. 1984).