AT WORK

Now in his 29th year of practice, Irving M. Geslewitz has extensive experience in representing employers from a broad spectrum of industries in all aspects of modern employment law, as well as traditional (union-related) labor law concerns. He regularly handles matters ranging from reviewing and helping prepare employment contracts, policies and manuals to representing clients in all types of employment-related litigation in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies.

In litigation, Irv has broad experience in defending employers sued for claimed employment discrimination under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the various state and local fair employment practices laws. He has also defended many retaliatory and wrongful discharge actions.

Irv has handled a wide range of employment-related cases, including employment non-competition, breach of fiduciary duty and trade secrets violations lawsuits. He also handles Section 301 lawsuits (emanating from collective bargaining agreement disputes); ERISA lawsuits involving both single and multi-employer pension fund and health and welfare funds; sexual harassment lawsuits; and breach of employment contract suits, including compensation, commission, bonus and severance pay claims.

In the administrative arena, Irv has handled labor arbitration hearings, unfair labor practice and representation proceedings before the NLRB, EEOC proceedings, wage/hour matters (e.g., under the Fair Labor Standards Act and state wage payment laws), OSHA violation claims, and proceedings involving alleged violations of the fair employment practice laws in Illinois and other states. As part of this representation, Irv regularly counsels employers on preventive measures they can take to reduce their exposure to litigation.

Irv frequently assists management in responding to union organization campaigns, union picketing or strikes, and other union activities. He also has extensive experience in negotiating collective bargaining agreements. On the non-union side, Irv has significant experience drafting and developing executive employment, termination and trade secret agreements. He counsels clients about compliance with the WARN Act (plant closing law). He also helps clients develop employment policies and procedures, including sexual harassment policies and procedures; drug, alcohol and catastrophic illness policies; employee handbooks; and other types of personnel materials.

IN THE PROFESSION

Irv speaks frequently on a wide variety of employment law topics at seminars for industry, trade and professional groups, as well as continuing education organizations and academic institutions. He has also prepared articles for a number of professional journals, including Practical Lawyer, the Commercial Law Bulletin, and the Labor Law Journal.

Irv is a member of the American Bar Association (Section of Labor Law and Committee on Employee Rights and Responsibilities) and the Chicago and Illinois State Bar Associations.

His professional accomplishments have been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell, which has awarded him an "AV" rating. Irv has been recognized by the Leading Lawyers Network as a top Illinois lawyer in the areas of management-side employment and labor law (2005-2008). He was also designated an Illinois Super Lawyer (2006-2008), an honor given to the top 5% of attorneys in the state.

BACKGROUND

University of Chicago Law School
J.D., 1976

Rutgers University
B.A., with highest honors, Phi Beta Kappa, 1972

Irv is admitted to practice in Illinois, before the U.S. Supreme Court and before several federal circuit courts.

PRACTICE AREAS

AT WORK

IN THE PROFESSION

BACKGROUND

RELATED ALERTS