Lauren Blair serves as Special Counsel for the Firm’s Labor and Employment Group. Lauren has been practicing employment law for more than 25 years. She is currently licensed to practice in Illinois and specializes in employment law counseling, compliance and training, and litigation.
Employment Law Counseling
Lauren has counseled companies of all sizes in various industries on a wide range of employment matters. She offers legal advice, strategies, and solutions for employment issues that come up in the day-to-day operation of businesses. Her employment law counseling engagements also include negotiating and drafting executive employment, independent contractor, and other employment-related agreements relating to individuals and entities that work for and with the business.
Compliance and Training
For decades, Lauren has helped clients proactively develop and implement workforce handbooks, policies and practices that comply with governing laws and reduce the risk of claims and lawsuits by employees. She has also conducted on-site training and webinars on a broad spectrum of employment topics including respectful workplace practices, sexual harassment prevention, supervisor training and performance management, on-boarding, employee handbook review, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other leave laws, wage and hour laws, and other employment law overviews.
Employment Dispute Resolution and Litigation
Lauren’s practice has included vigorously defending employers against federal, state, and local employment discrimination claims. She has significant experience in all phases of employment litigation, including appeals, as well as in arbitration, mediation, and other alternative dispute resolution forums. Lauren has conducted dozens of internal investigations of employment discrimination claims, and guides employers in their prompt and thorough handling of workplace complaints. She works closely with clients to respond to and resolve agency-led claims, and provides thoughtful and innovative legal advice at every stage of the process.
