Savine Employment Law, Ltd. represents workers in all aspects and stages of their relationships with their employers and principals, whether they are engaged as “at will” employees, or under contract as independent contractors or freelancers. Some of the matters we handle include:
Federal and state statutes make certain reasons for firing individuals unlawful. In addition, workers may have breach of contract claims or other common law claims arising from their terminations, including defamation, breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Savine Employment Law, Ltd. has extensive experience helping clients identify, pursue and resolve legal claims arising out of employment terminations.
We regularly assist clients pursue claims for unpaid salaries, wages, commissions, overtime, bonuses, expense reimbursements, severances and even accrued vacation time. We help clients collect on these payments under applicable laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (IWPCA) and other laws.
We have experience negotiating on behalf of employees to resolve disputes arising out of non-compete and non-solicit agreements, or stemming from accusations they’ve stolen confidential information and trade secrets. We strive to help workers avoid court-ordered temporary restraining orders (TROs) and injunctions relating to such disputes that might block their chosen career paths.
We are committed to protecting employees’ rights to privacy and freedom from unfair and unlawful defamation and career interference by their current and former employers. We advocate for clients and pursue appropriate legal claims on their behalf, when they’re work reputations are inappropriately damaged, either inside or outside the workplace, by their employers’ false or disparaging communications to prospective employers or other third parties.
We help clients understand and exercise their legal rights to workplace accommodations and leaves of absence, whether they are for medical reasons, to care for family members with medical issues, for the birth or adoption of a child, for military-related purposes, or other leaves guaranteed by law. We are intimately familiar with state and federal disability and leave laws, including the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and other related laws, and coordinate with outside worker compensation lawyers when such matters relate to workplace injuries.
We represent workers who have been laid off, or have lost their jobs because their workplace closed. We are familiar with applicable laws that protect workers in these situations. We assist workers whose employers are in bankruptcy, and can help put clients in the best possible position to recover what their employers owe them in some bankruptcy situations.
Certain government agencies exist to direct and supervise the enforcement of specific employment laws. Sometimes, individuals prefer to resolve disputes through these agencies. Oftentimes, filing a charge with an agency is a mandatory first step to filing suit in court. Savine Employment Law, Ltd. often helps clients deal with such agencies, including by filing charges and complaints with the agencies, and representing them through the agencies’ process. We have extensive experience representing clients before such agencies as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the US Department of Labor (DOL), the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and both the Chicago and Cook County Commissions on Human Relations.
We are experienced in litigating cases in state and federal court. As Chicago-based employment lawyers, we most commonly litigate matters relating to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Illinois Minimum Wage Law (IMWL), the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (IWPCA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Title VII, Section 1981, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Genetic Information Nondisclosure Act (GINA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Illinois Whistleblower Protection and Reward Act, and the Illinois Whistleblower Act.
Gary was great. I gauge the value of professional services by comparing how much I learn versus how much additional work I have to do. My engagement with Gary was very educational and gave me peace of mind while conveniently navigating a challenging situation during a very busy time.
Executive
When it comes to negotiation, Gary’s skills can appear almost magical. I hired Gary to help me with an executive-level transition, as I was exited from a six-figure job and starting a new job with a direct competitor. Gary identified hidden traps in the severance offer from my former employer that could have resulted in me losing both the severance and my job. He then negotiated with my former employer to clear the traps and protect my severance, without burning any of my professional bridges. Gary really knows how companies think. In my case, it translated into great results. Gary makes it look easy.
Sales Executive
Gary was wonderful. I couldn’t have been luckier when he decided to take my case. It was a very emotional time and Gary was very honest with outcomes and provided all the information that I needed to know. He was a key figure in this journey.
Retail Sales Manager
This was the first time I ever had or needed an attorney, and I’m so glad it was Gary! He explained complex legal issues to me in an easy-to-understand way, and was able to frame options for me to select. This was a challenging time for me emotionally, and whereas I may have given in on some items, he was a strong advocate and negotiated much better terms for me. He was very responsive and accessible when I needed him most. Gary also seems like a genuinely nice person, so someone who could be a great neighbor, friend or attorney.
CFO of a Fortune 500 Company
Gary is a class act and an extremely competent attorney. He operated with a sense of urgency and provided maximum transparency to me throughout the process while negotiating with my employer. He delivered results which met all of my primary objectives.
Chief Risk Officer of a Fortune 500 Company
Gary was always prompt and respectful of my time. He was gracious and knew with absolute precision when we needed to work with one another from a timeline perspective. He was always extremely professional, organized and straight to the point. He always offered options when it came down to me making an informed decision. The best experience I have had with counsel in my life.
HR Director
Gary was very responsive and worked towards a much better deal than I could have negotiated on my own. Gary pointed out several errors or potential traps in a base document and was able to remove them from the agreement.
Chief Financial Officer
I was hesitant to hire a lawyer. I knew the situation with my employer was not lawful, but I was hesitant. Gary and his team were fantastic. Gary conducted meticulous and inclusive interviews to get all the facts and incidents. His team was supportive, as emails and texts were answered within minutes. I don’t wish for anyone to ever have to be in a circumstance where you have to hire a lawyer, but if you need one I cannot recommend [anymore more than] Gary.
Executive
Gary was very informative and asked the right questions to get the best options for me. He made time for me and I never felt rushed when speaking with him either. Thank you for all your support and hard work.
HR Manager
I am so happy I found Savine Employment Law! Gary was extremely knowledgeable and sympathetic. I leaned on him throughout much of the process as I have never gone through something like this before, and he did not disappoint at all. I definitely recommend him!
Client
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