December 10, 2012Polsinelli Shughart continues its growth in Chicago with the addition of Shareholder Andrew B. Cripe in the firm’s Labor and Employment practice. Cripe represents employers in all aspects of workforce management, including defending individual and class action employment claims and advising employers on domestic and international employment and labor relations issues. 



“This opportunity to expand our ranks of employment lawyers is well-timed and in line with our desire to continue to increase our legal services for clients in the Chicago office and nationally,” said Chicago Managing Director Anthony J. Nasharr. 



Cripe also assists employers by providing workplace training and compliance programs, investigating workplace misconduct such as harassment, trade secret theft or embezzlement, preparing employment agreements and policies, structuring the employment aspects of mergers and acquisitions and planning and implementing plant closings or reductions in force. He works closely with employers to help them achieve their business objectives while minimizing potential liabilities under the many state and federal laws governing the workplace. He joins a national Labor and Employment practice which includes attorneys in Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, Phoenix and St. Louis. 



“Coming to a firm like Polsinelli gives me an excellent platform from which to keep developing my employment practice,” said Cripe. “The variety of clients the firm serves and their needs for employment counsel are two exciting aspects of this practice. I am very happy to be here.” 



Cripe earned his law degree, cum laude, from Loyola University College of Law in 1997, where he has served as an adjunct professor of law for the past nine years and currently teaches Employment Counseling and Compliance. He received his B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota in 1994. Cripe is admitted to practice in Illinois and before the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois. He was selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers, Labor & Employment, 2012.



Cripe is an excellent source for reporters working on stories about: 



• Workforce planning and management including reductions in force


• Restrictive covenants and trade secrets violations


• Employment class action lawsuits 
• Issues arising under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)


• Harassment or discrimination claims filed against employers 



The Chicago office of Polsinelli Shughart recently expanded to an additional floor in the Chicago Title and Trust Building, 161 N. Clark Street and has grown to 68 attorneys. The firm is ranked in the AmLaw 100 and is considered one of the fastest growing law firms in the country.

For more information please contact Public Relations Manager Heather McMichael, 816-223-8780, hmcmichael@polsinelli.com



About Polsinelli Shughart 

With more than 600 attorneys, PolsinelliShughart (www.polsinelli.com) is a national law firm and recognized leader in the areas of health care, financial services, real estate, life sciences, energy and business litigation. Serving corporate, institutional and individual clients, the firm builds enduring relationships by creating value through our legal services - with passion, ingenuity and a sense of urgency. The firm has offices in Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Kansas City; Los Angeles; New York; Phoenix; St. Louis; Washington, D.C.; and Wilmington, DE. In California, PolsinelliShughart LLP.