300 S. Wacker Drive
Suite 3400
Chicago IL 60606
TEL: 312.786.6164
FAX: 312.986.9192

Practice Areas

Education

J.D., cum laude, Indiana University School of Law, 1999
B.A., Indiana University, 1995 (political science)

Bar & Court Admissions

Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois – Trial Bar
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana

Jeffrey S. Nowak

Partner

Jeff represents private and public sector management clients in all areas of labor and employment law. He regularly counsels and litigates single- and multi-plaintiff matters relating to employment discrimination and traditional labor claims, and has extensive trial experience before labor arbitrators, judges and juries, in both federal and state courts and before administrative agencies. He has extensive experience dealing with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including counseling clients on compliance with FMLA regulations, conducting FMLA audits and training, and successfully litigating FMLA and ADA lawsuits.

As a result of his FMLA focus, Jeff serves on the editorial board of the Family and Medical Leave Handbook, a comprehensive and well-respected publication which addresses the complex requirements of the FMLA, and is a chapter editor for the ABA/BNA FMLA treatise. Jeff is also the co-author of the firm’s FMLA Insights blog, and regularly speaks on employment-related topics.

In August 2009, the Daily Labor Report quoted Jeff extensively on President Obama’s expected labor and employment initiatives after the DLR covered Jeff’s presentation on the topic to the ABA. Jeff also was quoted in the July 2009 edition of the FMLA Handbook on how physicians are increasingly charging fees to complete FMLA medical certification forms.

Prior to joining the firm, Jeff practiced at McDermott Will & Emery LLP (1999–2003). In 1995, following his undergraduate study, Jeff was selected by then Illinois Governor Jim Edgar’s administration for the Dunn Fellowship Program, where he spent a full year working in the press office of Governor Jim Edgar. During his undergraduate study, he served as student body president.

Jeff currently serves as chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Committee. Jeff also serves on the Illinois Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Section Council and the Legislative Committee of the Society of Human Resource Professionals (SHRM chapter). He is named an Illinois’ Rising Stars by Illinois Super Lawyers (2010).

In addition to practicing law, Jeff serves on the board of directors for Marist High School, a Catholic college-preparatory school on Chicago’s southwest side and his alma mater. He also sits on the board of directors for Pillars, a not-for-profit social service organization serving Chicago’s west and southwest side, and is a commissioner on the Village of LaGrange Plan Commission. A self-proclaimed baseball fanatic (and avid White Sox fan), Jeff is a registered Illinois High School Association baseball umpire who fills his spring and summer weekends working varsity and semi-professional baseball games.

Representative Experience click to view

Served as lead defense counsel in a successful jury trial representing the University of Chicago. The Plaintiff, a former Ph.D. student, alleged that the University violated provisions in its student handbook when it suspended him after he made continuous inappropriate communications to University administrators. Following a nine-day trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the University. (Vernon v. University of Chicago, 2008)
Obtained dismissal of several time-barred claims in a USERRA action brought by a faculty member against a private university. (April 2010)
Obtained Plaintiff’s voluntary dismissal of worker’s compensation retaliatory discharge case in its entirety shortly after taking Plaintiff’s deposition. (Wiles v. Schneider Electric, 2009)
Served as one of the lead defense counsel in a 20-plaintiff Title VII sexual discrimination and sexual harassment case on behalf a Fortune 100 national retail company. Responsible for the majority of Plaintiffs’ depositions and led the day-to-day management of the case. Favorable settlement achieved during discovery. (Feb. 2010)
Obtained summary judgment in worker’s compensation retaliatory discharge case on behalf of Target Corporation. (Epstein v. Target Corporation, 2008)
Negotiated faculty and adjunct faculty collective bargaining agreements for an Illinois community college. (2006 – 2010)
Won FMLA and ADA case, when summary judgment was affirmed where Court found that Plaintiff did not place employer on notice of the need for FMLA leave. (Moody v. Colson Caster Corp., 2006)
Prevailed in contentious multi-day labor arbitration for Chicago-area municipality where the employer placed employee on leave and later terminated his employment due to his inability to perform essential duties of position. Favorable decision avoided five years of back and additional potential damages. (2006)
Obtained summary judgment in quid pro quo and hostile work environment sexual harassment case. (Ford v. Colson Caster Corp., 2005)
Prevailed in labor arbitration on behalf of large suburban high school district where security officer was terminated as a result of physical altercation with high school student. (2004)
Obtained summary judgment in a multi-plaintiff age discrimination, harassment and retaliation case, case dismissed upon conclusion of Plaintiff’s depositions. (Underwood et al. v. The Fairmont Hotel, 2003)
Obtained summary judgment in litigation raising allegations of Title VII race discrimination and retaliation and violation of the Illinois School Visitation Rights Act. (Cisneros v. Condell Medical Center, 2002)
Obtained summary judgment in age discrimination case, and successfully advanced a breach of the duty of loyalty claim against employee for allegedly using employer’s property and resources to create a competitor company. (Ladenberger v. General Signal Corp., 2001)

Practice Areas

Education

Bar & Court Admissions

Jeffrey S. Nowak

Representative Experience click to view

News

Publications

Events