icon on “I assist our business clients with workplace disputes, litigation, and immigration matters.”
For 35 years, I have counseled and represented employers in labor, employment, and immigration matters. I have represented clients before administrative agencies such as the EEOC, NLRB, OSHA, USCIS, as well as similar state agencies, and have litigated in many federal and state courts.
Services
Business Litigation
In courtrooms, agencies, and tribunals across the country, we pursue our clients’ interests–both cost-effectively and with positive results.
Credentials
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, 1983
- J.D.
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- M.A., Labor and Industrial Relations, 1977
- B.S., Psychology, 1975
Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Labor and Employment Law Section
- Litigation Section
- Trial Evidence Committee, Co-chair, 2017-2019
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Labor and Employment Law Section Council, 1988-2019
- Chair, 1994-1995; 2015-2016
- Newsletter Editor, 1988-2019
- Federal Civil Practice Section Council, 2018-2019
- Chair, 2013-2014
- Labor and Employment Law Section Council, 1988-2019
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- Federal Bar Association
- Peoria County Bar Association
- President, 2008-2009
Admissions
- Illinois, 1988
- Michigan, 1983
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, 2006
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, 2003
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois, 1995
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 1992
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 1990
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1988
- U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois, 1987
- Supreme Court of the United States, 1987
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1985
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1983
Professional Achievements
- The Best Lawyers in America©, 2018-2020
- Illinois Super Lawyers, 2007-2020
- Illinois Leading Lawyers, 2003-2020
- Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating
Experience
Representative Matters
Obtained visas, permanent residency, and naturalization for numerous individuals and entities in business sectors such as automotive, manufacturing, medical, and higher education.
EditLead negotiation and oversight for multimillion-dollar sale of majority interest in two companies, including drafting of contribution agreement, operating agreements, non-competition agreements, consulting agreement, assignment documents, and other corporate documentation and consents.
Edit
Presentations
- American Bar Association, 10th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, "When Immigration and Employee Protection Laws Collide," November 10, 2016, Chicago, IL.
- Illinois Bankers Association, HR Professional Development: Best Practices Seminar, "Employment Law Roundtable," October 30, 2015, Springfield, IL.
- Federal Civil Practice Seminar: Tips of the Trade, "Pleading in Federal Court," moderator, May 7, 2014, Chicago, IL.
- 2014 Illinois Workers' Comp Forum, "Preventing Your Workers' Compensation Claims from Morphing into Employment Litigation Nightmares: How to Avoid Wrongful Discharge and Retaliation Landmines," March 10, 2014, Lombard, IL.
- Lorman Education Services Seminar, "Employment Law Update," December 11, 2013, East Peoria, IL.
- Community Bankers Association of Illinois, Seminar for the Community Bank Attorney, "Privacy in the Workplace: Is There Any?" November 15, 2013, Springfield, IL.
- 2nd Annual Employment Law: Beyond the Basics Seminar, "NLRB's Expanding Agenda," October 16, 2013, Bloomington, IL.
- Illinois State Bar Association, 9th Annual Solo Small Firm Conference, "Hot Topics in Employment Law," October 5, 2013, Itasca, IL.
- Snedeker Risk Management 2013 Fall Client Conference, "Labor Contracts & Negotiations," September 25, 2013, Springfield, IL.
- Peoria County Bar Association/U.S. District Court Federal Practice Seminar, "Fee Petitions—What Must Be Filed, When it Should Be Filed (Before or After Appeal), Privilege Issues," July 16, 2013, Peoria, IL.
- Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, "Immigration for Employment Law," March 12-13, 2013, webinar.
Media
Media19
March
Article
Labor & Employment Coronavirus AlertEmily E. Bennett, Mike Braun, Daniel A. Cotter, Michael D. Gifford, Grace Mata Gomez ... , Robert B. Johnston, James L. Komie, Brian A. Kreucher, Michael Robert Lied, Laurie A. Perez, Michael J. Powers, Robert L. Rosenthal, Leonard W. Sachs, Robert H. Smeltzer, Jon R. Steiger, Daniel Villaire
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February
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February
Press Release
Congratulations to Our Twelve Attorneys Named to Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2020Mike Braun, Daniel A. Cotter, Scott C. Frost, Scott M. Levin, Michael Robert Lied ... , Leonard W. Sachs, Robert H. Smeltzer, Emily E. Bennett, Christopher A. Cali, Tiffany L. Carpenter, Tim Gronewold, Mark Ryerson
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January
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September
Press Release
Howard & Howard Congratulates Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers® 2020Andrew (Jake) Grove, Amanda Hill, Brad A. Rayle, Brian J. Pezzillo, Daniel H. Bliss ... , Gerald E. McGlynn, III, Henry P. Lee, Jay Young, Gwen Rutar Mullins, Jon D. Kreucher, Joseph J. DeVito, Kristopher K. Hulliberger, Leonard W. Sachs, Lisa S. Gretchko, Mark J. Gardberg, Matthew J. Kreutzer, Michael V. Kell, Michael Robert Lied, Jeff Sadowski, Jennifer L. Carleton, Miles T. Macik, Patrick M. McCarthy, Robert Hernquist, Rodger Kershner, R. Saleha Mohamedulla, Robert L. Rosenthal, Stephanie S. Buntin, Seaton J. Curran, Thomas W. Davis, II, Trent K. English, W. West Allen
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August
Press Release
Howard & Howard Congratulates Our Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers 2019Andrew (Jake) Grove, Brad A. Rayle, Brian J. Pezzillo, Daniel H. Bliss, Gerald E. McGlynn, III ... , Gwen Rutar Mullins, Henry P. Lee, Jay Young, Jeff Sadowski, Jennifer L. Carleton, Jon D. Kreucher, Joseph J. DeVito, Kristopher K. Hulliberger, Leonard W. Sachs, Lisa S. Gretchko, Mark J. Gardberg, Matthew J. Kreutzer, Michael Robert Lied, Michael V. Kell, Miles T. Macik, Patrick M. McCarthy, R. Saleha Mohamedulla, Robert Hernquist, Robert L. Rosenthal, Rodger Kershner, Seaton J. Curran, Stephanie S. Buntin, Thomas W. Davis, II, Trent K. English, W. West Allen
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Press Release
Thirty-Four Howard & Howard Attorneys Named to Illinois 'Leading Lawyers' and Illinois 'Emerging Lawyers' 2018Charles A. Semmelhack, Daniel S. Rubin, David C. Van Dyke, Donna M. Goelz, Emily E. Bennett ... , Greg Norwell, Hank Underwood, James L. Komie, Jane S. Hahn, Jeff Sorenson, Jennifer Paganessi Fisher, Jim Morgan, Joseph B. VanFleet, Jude Sullivan, Leo G. Aubel, Leonard W. Sachs, Mark A. Bogdanowicz, Mark Ryerson, Mary A. Corrigan, Michael D. Gifford, Michael J. Powers, Michael Robert Lied, Mike Braun, Miriam Leskovar Burkland, Robert H. Smeltzer, Scott C. Frost, Scott M. Levin, Tiffany L. Carpenter, Tim Gronewold, Timothy J. Riordan, Timothy S. Buckley, Tom O'Neal, W. Michael Seidel
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Press Release
Seventeen Howard & Howard Attorneys Named to Illinois 'Super Lawyers' and Illinois 'Rising Stars' 2018David C. Van Dyke, Emily E. Bennett, Jane S. Hahn, Joseph Barber, Leonard W. Sachs ... , Mark Ryerson, Michael Robert Lied, Robert H. Smeltzer, Scott C. Frost, Scott M. Levin, Tiffany L. Carpenter, Tim Gronewold, Tom O'Neal
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August
Press Release
Howard & Howard Congratulates Our 'Best Lawyers' 2018Andrew (Jake) Grove, Brad A. Rayle, Brian J. Pezzillo, Daniel H. Bliss, Gerald E. McGlynn, III ... , Gwen Rutar Mullins, Henry P. Lee, Jay Young, Jeff Sadowski, Jon D. Kreucher, Joseph J. DeVito, Kristopher K. Hulliberger, Lisa S. Gretchko, Mark J. Gardberg, Matthew J. Kreutzer, Michael Robert Lied, Michael V. Kell, Miles T. Macik, Patrick M. McCarthy, Robert L. Rosenthal, Rodger Kershner, Seaton J. Curran, Thomas W. Davis, II, Trent K. English, W. West Allen
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July
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July
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January
Press Release
Fifteen Howard & Howard Attorneys Named to Illinois 'Super Lawyers' and Illinois 'Rising Stars' 2017Daniel S. Rubin, Emily E. Bennett, Jane S. Hahn, Joseph Barber, Leonard W. Sachs ... , Mark Ryerson, Michael Robert Lied, Scott C. Frost, Scott M. Levin, Tiffany L. Carpenter, Tim Gronewold, Tom O'Neal
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January
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August
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June
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April
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March
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March
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March
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February
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February
Press Release
Seventeen Howard & Howard Attorneys Named to Illinois 'Super Lawyers' and Illinois 'Rising Stars' 2016Daniel S. Rubin, David C. Van Dyke, Jane S. Hahn, Joseph Barber, Leonard W. Sachs ... , Mark Ryerson, Michael Robert Lied, Scott C. Frost, Scott M. Levin, Tiffany L. Carpenter, Tim Gronewold, Tom O'Neal
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January
Press Release
Howard & Howard Congratulates Our Attorneys Named to Illinois 'Super Lawyers' and Illinois 'Rising Stars' 2015Daniel S. Rubin, David C. Van Dyke, Jane S. Hahn, Joseph Barber, Leonard W. Sachs ... , Mark Ryerson, Michael Robert Lied, Scott C. Frost, Scott M. Levin, Tiffany L. Carpenter, Tim Gronewold, Tom O'Neal
7
January
30
December
25
November
4
November
3
September
29
August
29
August
30
July
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June
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May
29
April
25
March
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March
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January
Press Release
Howard & Howard Congratulates Our Attorneys Named to Illinois 'Super Lawyers' and Illinois 'Rising Stars' 2014Daniel S. Rubin, David C. Van Dyke, Jane S. Hahn, Joseph Barber, Leonard W. Sachs ... , Mark Ryerson, Michael Robert Lied, Scott C. Frost, Scott M. Levin, Tiffany L. Carpenter, Tom O'Neal
Community
Community“I am a board member of these nonprofit organizations: Peoria Symphony Orchestra, Camp Big Sky, and Community Workshop.”
Camp Big Sky provides life skills training and outdoor experiences for individuals with disabilities. Community Workshop and Training Center provides employment, job coaching, and housing for adults with disabilities.
