Fighting for Individual Workers, Securing Justice in the Workplace
Individual employees often find themselves outmatched against corporate legal departments and HR policies designed to limit employer liability. You need experienced advocates who know how to hold employers accountable.
Fighting for Individual Workers, Securing Justice in the Workplace
Millions Recovered
In verdicts and settlements
Flexible Fee
Arrangements that fit your needs and case
Full-Spectrum Representation
From workplace investigations and negotiations to litigation
Individual employees often find themselves outmatched against corporate legal departments and HR policies designed to limit employer liability. Whether you're facing discrimination, wrongful termination, or wage theft, you need experienced advocates who know how to hold employers accountable. Our employment law practice has successfully recovered millions in damages for workers whose rights have been violated, turning workplace injustices into real consequences and compensation.
We represent employees at every level—from hourly workers to senior executives—in disputes involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and contract violations. Our deep experience across the labor and employment landscape gives us a unique understanding of the workplace from multiple perspectives. Our clients achieve results that go beyond financial recovery: workplace policy changes, restored reputations, and the satisfaction of holding employers accountable for illegal conduct. Every case we handle sends a clear message that worker rights matter.
Our growing employment law practice draws on deep litigation and negotiation experience to handle complex workplace disputes, pursue reinstatements, and craft severance agreements that protect our clients' financial and professional interests. We combine aggressive advocacy with strategic thinking to achieve outcomes that restore our clients' dignity and financial security.
Comprehensive Employment Law Services
Skilled representation across the full spectrum of workplace rights violations and contract negotiations.
We fight for employees who have been unlawfully terminated in violation of federal or state law. Even in "at-will" employment states, where you can be fired for any reason or no reason, you cannot be fired for an unlawful reason such as discrimination or retaliation. Our attorneys thoroughly investigate potentially unlawful terminations, including terminations based on age, race, religion, national origin, disability, gender, pregnancy, gender identity or sexual orientation, as well as retaliation for reporting unlawful conduct or other wrongdoing. We pursue comprehensive remedies including back pay, reinstatement, legal fees, and compensatory damages.
Facing a wrongful termination matter? Get a confidential review.
We fight for employees who have been unlawfully terminated in violation of federal or state law. Even in "at-will" employment states, where you can be fired for any reason or no reason, you cannot be fired for an unlawful reason such as discrimination or retaliation. Our attorneys thoroughly investigate potentially unlawful terminations, including terminations based on age, race, religion, national origin, disability, gender, pregnancy, gender identity or sexual orientation, as well as retaliation for reporting unlawful conduct or other wrongdoing. We pursue comprehensive remedies including back pay, reinstatement, legal fees, and compensatory damages.
Employment Discrimination
Protecting employees from discrimination, harassment, and unequal treatment.
We represent employees facing discrimination, harassment, and other unlawful treatment in the workplace. Our attorneys handle claims involving race, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and other protected characteristics, including discrimination in recruitment, hiring, promotions, discipline, compensation, and other conditions of employment., We pursue claims under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Illinois Human Rights Act and other applicable federal and state laws.
Contract Negotiation
Executive agreements, restrictive covenants, and compensation terms.
We review and negotiate employment agreements, executive compensation packages, and other employment terms to ensure that your interests are protected before you sign. We pay particular attention to noncompete and nonsolicitation provisions, confidentiality obligations, severance provisions, and other restrictions that may affect your career after employment ends. Our goal is to help you understand the agreement you are signing and negotiate terms that reflect your value and protect your future options.
Severance Agreements
Review and negotiation before you sign.
We review and negotiate severance packages that reflect your positive contributions to company performance, uphold your contractual rights, and preserve your good name in your industry. Before you accept any severance and release agreement, our attorneys will evaluate all legal options available to you. We ensure that severance terms are fair and maximize your benefits while minimizing restrictive covenants that could harm your future career prospects. Where appropriate, we negotiate improved financial and nonfinancial terms while helping you understand the rights you may be giving up.
Retaliation & Whistleblower Claims
Protection for employees who speak up or exercise their legal rights.
We represent employees who face retaliation after reporting discrimination or harassment, exercising legally protected rights, participating in workplace investigations, or reporting suspected violations of law, safety concerns, or regulatory requirements. We handle retaliation and whistleblower claims under federal and state law and pursue appropriate remedies, including lost wages, damages, reinstatement, and attorneys’ fees.
Wage Violations
Unpaid wages, overtime, misclassification, and other wage violations.
We represent employees in claims involving unpaid wages, overtime violations, misclassification, and other violations of federal and state wage laws. We analyze compensation practices and timekeeping records, calculate amounts owed, and pursue available remedies, including unpaid wages, liquidated damages, penalties, and attorneys’ fees where applicable.
Workplace Harassment
Sexual harassment and hostile work environment claims.
We represent employees experiencing sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and other forms of workplace harassment that interfere with job performance or create intimidating work conditions. We evaluate patterns of conduct, investigate the circumstances surrounding reported harassment, and pursue appropriate remedies when employers fail to address unlawful behavior. Our attorneys understand the psychological impact of harassment and pursue comprehensive remedies including monetary damages and injunctive relief to stop harmful behavior and restore a safe work environment. Our representation may include negotiation, administrative proceedings, litigation, and other strategies tailored to the circumstances of each case.
Disability Accommodations
ADA accommodation denials and disability discrimination.
We advocate for employees who have been denied reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and state disability laws. We help employees understand their rights, address failures in the interactive process, and pursue appropriate remedies when employers deny reasonable accommodations or otherwise discriminate based on disability.
Family Leave
FMLA interference, paid leave, and protection from retaliation.
We represent employees whose rights to protected family and medical leave have been denied or undermined. We handle claims involving FMLA interference, improper denial of leave, retaliation for taking protected leave, and other violations of federal and state leave laws. We help employees understand their rights and pursue appropriate remedies when employers fail to honor legally protected leave.
Equal Pay
Pay discrimination and unequal compensation.
We represent employees facing discriminatory pay practices and unequal compensation. We analyze compensation structures, job responsibilities, and workplace policies to identify unlawful disparities and pursue claims under the Equal Pay Act and applicable federal and state laws. Where appropriate, we seek recovery of unpaid wages, damages, and other available remedies.
Benefits Disputes
ERISA, health plans, stock options, and retirement.
We represent employees in disputes involving employer-provided benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, stock options, and other forms of compensation. Where benefit disputes involve complex plan or regulatory issues, we draw on the firm's broader employee benefits and ERISA experience to protect our clients' rights.
The MKR Advantage
Why Chicago workers choose us
Trial-Ready Reputation
We don't just settle. Our willingness to take cases to verdict forces employers to bring real offers to the table.
Flexible Fee
Arrangements that fit your needs and case. Quality representation shouldn't depend on what you can afford.
Dedicated Advocacy
We are committed to protecting workers' rights while also serving the broader needs of labor organizations and benefit funds.
Frequently Asked
Employment law questions, answered
Understanding your rights is the first step toward justice.
What qualifies as wrongful termination in Illinois?
Illinois is an at-will state, but employers cannot fire you for unlawful reasons, including discriminatory reasons (race, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin), for whistleblowing, for filing a claim, or for exercising other legally protected rights.
How long do I have to file an employment discrimination claim?
In Illinois, discrimination charges filed with the Illinois Department of Human Rights must be filed within 2 years. However, other jurisdictions and agencies, such as the EEOC, have much shorter timelines. Other employment claims—including state-law, wage, contract, and whistleblower claims—may have different deadlines. Some state and contract-based claims have shorter or longer deadlines, so it's critical to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to preserve your rights.
What damages can I recover in an employment lawsuit?
Depending on the claims involved, available remedies may include back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, emotional distress damages, reinstatement, attorneys’ fees, and other statutory or equitable relief. Some claims may also allow punitive or liquidated damages. The remedies available will depend on the specific facts and laws applicable to your case.
Do I have to pay anything upfront?
In most cases, we offer a free, confidential initial consultation. We also work with clients on flexible fee arrangements that fit your needs and case.
Should I sign the severance agreement my employer offered?
Before signing a severance agreement, you should understand exactly what rights you are giving up. Severance agreements often contain broad releases, confidentiality provisions, restrictive covenants, and other terms that can affect your future employment and legal rights. We review and negotiate severance agreements to help clients understand their options, protect their rights, and maximize the value of their separation package.
I think I've been discriminated against, but I'm not sure if I have a legal claim. What should I do?
You do not need to have your legal theory figured out before speaking with an attorney. Workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination can take many forms, and the legal significance of particular conduct often depends on the surrounding circumstances. We can evaluate what happened, identify potential claims, explain your options, and help you determine the best path forward.
Free & Confidential
Ready to talk about your case?
The first step toward justice is a confidential conversation. Tell us what happened — we'll tell you what your options are.
