Jackson Lewis Continues Chicago Expansion

CHICAGO, IL (May 19, 2014) -- Jackson Lewis P.C., one of the largest workplace law firms in the world representing management, is pleased to announce the addition of four highly regarded attorneys from the labor and employment team at Schuyler, Roche & Crisham P.C. to the firm’s Chicago office.  James P. Daley, David M. Novak and Edward M. Graham have joined the firm as Shareholders.  James D. Thomas has joined as an Associate.  This news comes on the heels of the office’s April addition of Shareholder Kirsten A. Milton.

“This was a tremendous opportunity to build our presence in Chicago,” said Vincent A. Cino, Firm Chairman.  “We are thrilled to be able to attract such strong, high-profile laterals to our office, and excited to add Jim, Dave, Ed and Jim to our growing team as we strengthen our footprint both in the Central Region and on a national level.”

“Jim and his team are known throughout the region as stellar labor and employment attorneys with excellent reputations for representing and defending companies in all facets of labor and employment-related matters,” added Jane M. McFetridge, Chicago office Managing Shareholder.  “Their extensive workplace law experience, particularly in the public sector, is a boon to our clients.  We are honored to have attorneys of this caliber join us in Chicago, and confident this group will prove to be a wonderful fit.”

James Daley, one of the nation’s most recognized labor and employment lawyers, regularly defends employers in litigation, including federal and state court proceedings involving discrimination, harassment and wage and hour claims.  He has extensive experience representing clients before the NLRB and the Illinois Labor Relations Board, and in complex interest arbitrations involving police and transit workers. 

Mr. Daley, who has been recognized by the National Law Journal as one of the Top 25 lawyers in the U.S. representing management, received his B.S. from DePaul University and his J.D. from the DePaul University College of Law.

David Novak’s practice covers all areas of labor and employment law.  Representing clients in federal and state court litigation, Mr. Novak has defended actions for sexual harassment; race, sex and national origin discrimination; retaliatory discharge; breach of contract; fraud; defamation; various state and federal statutes and other torts.  He concentrates much of his practice in wage and hour law, reductions in force and deunionization, and has represented numerous employers in high-profile labor arbitrations.

Mr. Novak received his B.A., M.A. and Ph. D. from the University of Chicago and his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.

Edward Graham focuses his practice on counseling management in all aspects of workplace law matters and prosecuting and defending labor and employment litigation.  He has considerable litigation experience concerning claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wrongful discharge, among others.  Mr. Graham also regularly advises employers on a wide range of matters, including discharge and discipline, harassment investigations, severance and separation agreements, collective bargaining agreements, drug testing and compliance with federal, state and local laws regarding civil rights and employment. 

Mr. Graham received his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and his J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law.

James Thomas regularly represents clients in federal and state courts.  His practice includes counseling employers on labor and employment issues, defending labor and employment litigation and negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements.  Mr. Thomas has experience involving claims for breach of contract; trade secret and restrictive covenant issues; sexual and racial harassment; pregnancy, sex, race and age discrimination and wrongful discharge, among others.  He also regularly counsels employers on a wide range of labor and employment issues.

Mr. Thomas received his B.A. from the University of Illinois at Chicago and his J.D. from the Loyola University of Chicago School of Law.

Jackson Lewis’ Chicago office can be reached at (312) 787-4949.

About Jackson Lewis

Founded in 1958, Jackson Lewis is dedicated to representing management exclusively in workplace law. With over 770 attorneys practicing in 55 locations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Jackson Lewis is included in the AmLaw 100 and Global 100 rankings of law firms. U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" named Jackson Lewis the 2014 "Law Firm of the Year" in the Litigation-Labor and Employmentcategory. The firm was also named a Tier 1 National “Best Law Firm” in Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management; and Litigation – Labor & Employment, and earned a spot on the BTI Power Elite for being recognized by corporate counsel as one of the top law firms in building and maintaining client relationships. The firm’s wide range of specialized areas of practice provides the resources to address every aspect of the employer/employee relationship. Jackson Lewis has one of the most active employment litigation practices in the United States, with a current caseload of over 6,500 litigations and approximately 550 class actions.

Jackson Lewis is a founding member of L&E Global Employers’ Counsel Worldwide, an alliance of premier employment law boutique firms and practices in Europe, North America, and the Asia Pacific Region.

Additional information about the firm can be found at www.jacksonlewis.com.