CHICAGO – October 26, 2026 – Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to welcome three attorneys from Laner Muchin Ltd. to the firm’s Chicago office: Christina Wernick as a shareholder, Megan Wilkes as of counsel, and Emily Chramiec as an associate.
Christina Wernick is a labor and employment attorney with more than 20 years of legal experience whose practice focuses on traditional labor and prevailing wage laws, including a particular emphasis on the construction industry. She advises and counsels management on collective bargaining negotiations, grievance and arbitration proceedings, and jurisdictional disputes, and she represents companies in multiemployer bargaining and in federal and state courts. Wernick also advises on due diligence for unionized asset and stock transactions, including bargaining effects and mitigation of withdrawal liability.
In addition, Wernick counsels hotels and restaurants, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and other public entities navigating labor issues across different legal frameworks. She was recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® guide for Employment Law – Management and included as a Notable Leader in Employment and Labor Law by Crain’s Chicago Business in 2023. Wernick earned her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law and her B.A., cum laude, from The Ohio State University.
“Christina, Megan, and Emily each add experience that our Chicago clients will benefit from right away,” said Jennifer Colvin, office managing shareholder in Chicago. “Collectively, they provide business leaders with a broad range of labor and employment support, handling everything from collective bargaining and prevailing wage matters to discrimination claims, which complements our team nicely and strengthens our service offering for employers across Illinois.”
“Employers need labor counsel who understands the realities of running their business, not just the impact of the law,” Wernick said. “Throughout my career, I’ve focused my practice on giving that kind of practical, hands-on guidance, whether at the bargaining table, on site, working through a labor dispute, or in the middle of a deal. My clients’ projects and workforces have never stopped at the Illinois border, and Ogletree Deakins’ national platform and deep labor bench create a tremendous opportunity to build on that work and continue delivering responsive, business-focused advice. I’m excited to join the firm alongside Megan and Emily, whose versatile skill sets will make an immediate impact for the team and our clients.”
Megan Wilkes has more than 12 years of experience representing management in grievance actions and prevailing wage matters. She interprets and negotiates collective bargaining agreements, including project labor agreements, analyzes jurisdictional disputes, and handles ERISA audit and collection actions. She also defends employers in civil litigation, including employment discrimination and retaliation claims. She earned her J.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and her B.A. from DePaul University.
Emily Chramiec handles a wide variety of labor and employment law matters, with a focus on discrimination. She earned her J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law with a certificate in labor and employment law and her B.A. from Loyola University Chicago. While in law school, she was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society and a student editor for the Employee Rights & Employment Policy Journal, and she received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Employment Discrimination.
The Chicago team continues to grow strategically, as the office has added 11 lawyers this year already. This reflects a larger growth strategy at Ogletree Deakins, which welcomed more than 30 shareholders to the firm in 2026 across its international footprint.
About Ogletree Deakins
With more than 1,200 attorneys in 62 offices worldwide, Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management. We handle all types of employment-related legal matters, including traditional labor and employment, workplace safety, employee benefits, and business immigration matters. Guided by our Client Pledge, we focus on understanding clients’ business and objectives, collaborating and anticipating needs, harnessing technology and innovation, communicating effectively, and providing quality representation with exceptional value. www.ogletree.com