Jennifer A. Riley

Partner

  • Jennifer A. Riley
  • Phone: +1 312 499 6711

    Jennifer A. Riley - LinkedIn Import to Address Book

  • Duane Morris LLP
    190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3700
    Chicago, IL 60603-3433
    USA
  • Duane Morris LLP
    865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 3100
    Los Angeles, CA 90017-5450
    USA
  • Duane Morris LLP
    Spear Tower
    One Market Plaza, Suite 2200
    San Francisco, CA 94105-1127
    USA

Jennifer A. Riley, Vice Chair of Duane Morris’ Class Action Defense group, has defended companies faced with significant complex litigation matters for more than two decades. Ms. Riley regularly defends companies facing class actions, collective actions, pattern or practice lawsuits, and other types of representative proceedings, ranging in size from dozens to tens of thousands of claims. Working on the forefront of the developing law in an ever-changing arena, Ms. Riley regularly develops strategies for navigating some of the largest challenges faced by corporate America today and counsels employers confronted with a range of complex theories that span from claims of discrimination or sexual harassment to myriad types of alleged wage & hour and statutory privacy violations.

Ms. Riley develops and employs strategies to navigate and to defend complex actions at inception, including strategies to fracture large-scale actions and structure creative solutions. She has represented clients facing bet-the-company cases in a wide range of complex civil litigation matters in federal and state courts across the country.  Ms. Riley defended a nationwide restaurant chain against one of the largest class and collective actions ever filed in the Southern District of New York alleging wage & hour violations on behalf of a nationwide collective action and at least a dozen Rule 23 state law classes.  Ms. Riley defended multiple international staffing and logistics companies faced with nationwide claims for alleged misclassification and failure to pay overtime to various categories of workers across hundreds of work locations.  Ms. Riley defended myriad employers against allegations of nationwide pattern or practice discrimination based on membership in various protected categories challenging their various hiring, promotion, and employment practices. 

Ms. Riley has served as trial counsel in federal court bench trials, jury trials and arbitration proceedings. Ms. Riley has defended a multitude of actions by securing dismissal, defeating class or collective action certification, prevailing on summary judgment, and structuring and securing approval of complex and multiparty settlements and consent decrees.  She also provides counsel to employers seeking to navigate thorny issues, including investigations, compliance, and terminations. 

Ms. Riley is a regular speaker, author, and presenter regarding class action issues, legal developments, and challenges that companies may face in the future.  Prior to joining Duane Morris LLP, in addition to her commercial litigation experience at one of the nation’s largest law firms, Ms. Riley was in-house counsel for a Fortune 100 pharmaceutical and medical device company where she investigated, managed, and resolved a wide range of commercial and employment disputes.

Ms. Riley is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley School of Law (J.D., 2000) and Vanderbilt University (B.A., magna cum laude).

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Supreme Court of Illinois
  • California
  • New York
  • Court of Appeals of the State of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Education

  • University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, J.D., 2000
  • Vanderbilt University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1997

Experience

  • Duane Morris LLP
    - Partner, 2022-present
  • Seyfarth Shaw LLP
    - Partner, 2010-2022
  • Abbott Laboratories
    - In-House Counsel, Commercial Litigation, 2008-2010
  • Jenner & Block
    - Associate, 2000-2008

Honors and Awards

  • Listed in Lawdragon 500's Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers, 2025

Selected Publications

  • Co-author, "EEOC Fiscal Year 2024 Lawsuit Filing Scorecard Sees Decrease in Number of Suits," Duane Morris Alert, October 2, 2024

  • Co-Author, “Ohio Federal District Court Authorizes Notice Of FLSA Claims In Step One Of The Two-Step “Strong Likelihood” Test And Certifies Rule 23 Class,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, September 11, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Drug Screening Company Obtains Hairy Win In Disparate Impact Race Bias Class Action,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, September 11, 2023

  • Co-Author, "Texas Federal Court Finds Department of Labor Tip Credit Rule Still in Effect… At Least for the Time Being," Employee Plan Benefit Review, September, 2023
  • Co-Author, "U.S. Department of Labor’s Final Tip Credit Rule Is Planted on Shaky Ground by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit," Employee Benefit Plan Review, July/August 2023
  • Co-Author, "9th Circ. Expands TCPA Standing, Narrowing Defenses," Law360, July 20, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Maryland Federal District Court Dismisses Class Action Alleging Website Privacy Violations For Lack Of Article III Standing,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, September 6, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Arizona Federal Court Grants Pest Control Company’s Motion To Dismiss Data Breach Class Claims,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, September 5, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Ohio Federal Court Denies Conditional Certification In An Early Application Of The Sixth Circuit’s “Strong Likelihood” Standard, Signaling A New Normal For Wage & Hour Lawsuits,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, July 14, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Ninth Circuit Finds Article III Standing Under The TCPA For Owner Of  Registered Phone With Third Party User,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, July 10, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Texas Federal Court Finds That The Final DOL 80/20 Rule Is Still In Play…At Least For Now,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, July 7, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Illinois Federal Court Denies Class Certification In Chicago Water Department Race Discrimination Lawsuit,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, June 8, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Georgia Federal Court Approves Consent Judgment For Department Of Labor-Initiated FLSA Action,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, June 7, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Seventh Circuit Explains How “Unusual” Circumstances May Require Defendants To Pay Class Action Notification Costs,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, May 29, 2023

  • Co-Author, “A Stellar Review For The Duane Morris Class Action Review – 2023,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, May 24, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Sixth Circuit Adopts Heightened Standard For Certification Of FLSA Collective Actions,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, May 23, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Tennessee Becomes Eighth State To Enact Comprehensive Privacy Legislation,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, May 15, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Introducing The Duane Morris Consumer Fraud Class Action Review – 2023,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, May 10, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Class Action Money & Ethics Conference – The State Of Class Action Litigation,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, May 8, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Indiana Joins The Bandwagon In Passing A Comprehensive Privacy Law,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, May 4, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Seventh Circuit Affirms Dismissal Of “Bare Bones” Lawsuit Brought Under Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, May 4, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Federal District Court in Virginia Rejects Two-Step “Conditional Certification” FLSA Process,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, April 19, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Introducing The Duane Morris Private Attorneys General Act Review – 2023,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, April 18, 2023

  • Co-Author, “EEOC Mid-Year Lawsuit Filing Update For Fiscal Year 2023,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, April 13, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Illinois Trial Court Grants Class Certification In BIPA Class Action,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, March 30, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Introducing The Duane Morris Wage & Hour Class And Collective Action Review – 2023,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, March 23, 2023

  • Co-Author, “The EEOC’s 2022 Annual Performance Report Touts $513.7 Million In Worker Recoveries,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, March 15, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Introducing The Duane Morris Privacy Class Action Review – 2023,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, February 28, 2023

  • Co-Author, “DMCAR Trend #10 – PAGA Actions Suffered Their First Setback, Work-Arounds Continued To Percolate,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, February 23, 2023

  • Co-Author, “DMCAR Trend #9 – Corporate Defendants Aggressively Asserted Defenses Based On Personal Jurisdiction,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, February 21, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Illinois Supreme Court Holds Each Fingerprint Scan Is A Separate BIPA Violation – Thereby Creating The Potential For Increased Damages In Privacy Class Actions,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, February 17, 2023

  • Co-Author, “DMCAR Trend #8 – Courts Continued To Grapple With Problems Of Standing And Uninjured Class Members,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, February 15, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Dior Dismissed From Illinois BIPA Class Action Lawsuit Challenging Virtual Try-On Technology,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, February 14, 2023

  • Co-Author, “DMCAR Trend #6 – Privacy Class Actions Became An Intense Focus Of The Plaintiffs’ Class Action Bar,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, February 9, 2023

  • Co-Author, “DMCAR Trend #5 – Government Enforcement In 2022 Took A Back Seat,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, February 6, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Illinois Supreme Court Holds Five-Year Statute Of Limitations Applies To The BIPA,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, February 2, 2023

  • Co-Author, “DMCAR Trend #4 – The Likelihood Of Class Certification In 2022 Was As Strong As Ever,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, February 2, 2023

  • Co-Author, “DMCAR Trend #3 – The Arbitration Defense Suffered Setbacks In 2022,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, February 1, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Delaware Says Corporate Officers Are Now Subject To A Duty Of Oversight In The Workplace Harassment Context,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, January 30, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Defendants Lose Motion To Dismiss Antitrust Class Action Over No Poach Claims,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, January 28, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Introducing The Duane Morris EEOC Litigation Review – 2023,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, January 27, 2023

  • Co-Author, “DMCAR Trend #2 – The U.S. Supreme Court’s Decisions In 2022 Continued To Define The Class Action Landscape,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, January 23, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Illinois Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal of BIPA Class Action Lawsuit,” Thomson Reuters Westlaw Today, January 20, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Fifth Circuit Affirms Striking Class Allegations From The Face Of A Complaint,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, January 19, 2023

  • Co-Author, “DMCAR Trend #1 – Class Action Settlements In 2022 Redistributed Wealth At An Unprecedented Level,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, January 17, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Key Takeaways From The EEOC’s Draft Strategic Enforcement Plan For 2023-2027,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, January 13, 2023

  • Co-Author, “Illinois Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal Of BIPA Class Action Lawsuit,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, January 9, 2023

  • Co-Author, “It Is Here – The Duane Morris Class Action Review – 2023,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, January 4, 2023

  • Co-Author, Duane Morris Class Action Review – 2023, Duane Morris LLP, January 3, 2023

  • Co-Author, “The 2022-2023 Judicial Hellholes Report From The American Tort Reform Association On The Worst Jurisdictions For Defendants,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, December 7, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Sixth Circuit Denies Writ Of Mandamus In Opioid Class Actions For District Court’s Order That Pushes Discretion Under Rule 16(b) to the Edge,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, November 29, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Ohio State Wins More Than Just Games, As The Ohio Court of Appeals Reverses Class Certification In Favor Of The University,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, November 28, 2022

  • Co-Author, “California Callout: New 2023 Privacy Regulations Coming Soon,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, November 23, 2022

  • Co-Author, “New Trial Sought Following $228 Million Judgment In Landmark BIPA Class Action,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, November 14, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Judges Continue To Push For Diversity In Selecting And Approving Class Counsel,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, November 8, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Illinois Federal Court Holds Private University Is Exempt From BIPA Regulations,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, November 7, 2022

  • Co-Author, “What Employees Should Know About The EEOC’s Draft Strategic Plan For FY 2022-2026,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, November 7, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Massachusetts State Court Rules In Class Action That A Multiple-Choice Promotional Test Discriminated Against Minority Police Officers,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, November 3, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Consumer Fraud Class Actions On The Rise In The Cannabis Industry – With More To Come With Interstate Sales,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, October 31, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Indiana Court Of Appeals Strikes Down Class Action COVID-19 Immunity Statute,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, October 17, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Alabama Federal Court Affirms $13 Million Default Judgment Against Employer In A Wage & Hour Collective Action For Discovery Failures,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, October 14, 2022

  • Co-Author, “$228 Million Judgment Entered In First Ever BIPA Class Action Trial Before A Chicago Jury,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, October 13, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Montana Federal Court Denies Class Certification In Gender Discrimination Litigation,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, October 13, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Illinois District Court Rejects “Trio” Of BIPA Defenses in Denying Motion to Dismiss,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, October 12, 2022

  • Co-Author, “California Dreaming For Employers: U.S. Supreme Court Orders California State Court of Appeal To Reconsider Denial Of Arbitration In PAGA Case,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, October 11, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Don’t Mess With Texas: Federal Judge Rules That The EEOC’s Guidance On LGBTQ Employees And Bostock Is Invalid,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, October 10, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Pennsylvania Federal Court Denies Motion For Conditional Certification Of Wage & Hour Collective Action,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, October 5, 2022

  • Co-Author, “The EEOC Is At It Again: FY 2022 Finishes Off With September Surge Of Filings,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, September 30, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Biometric Privacy, Plasma & Preemption: Illinois Federal Court Issues Another Pro-Plaintiff Ruling,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, September 27, 2022

  • Co-Author, “New York Federal Court Grants Class Certification In Pay Discrimination Litigation,” Class Action Defense Blog, Duane Morris LLP, September 22, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Illinois Federal Court Grants Class Certification to Cook County Department of Corrections Applicants Based on Allegedly Discriminatory Entrance Exams,” Workplace Class Action Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, August 11, 2022

  • Co-Author, “The U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Industry-Based Reading of FAA’s Transportation Worker Exemption, Reduces Visibility for Workers Challenging Arbitration Agreements,” Workplace Class Action Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, June 8, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Picture This: Illinois Federal Court Holds That BIPA Applies To Photographs,” Workplace Class Action Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, April 27, 2022 

  • Co-Author, “Georgia Federal Court Denies Class Certification to AT&T Employees in Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit,” Workplace Class Action Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, March 27, 2022 

  • Co-Author, “Illinois Supreme Court Holds Workers’ Compensation Act Does Not Bar BIPA Claims,” Workplace Class Action Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, February 3, 2022

  • Co-Author, “Seventh Circuit Sends BIPA Claim Accrual Question to Illinois Supreme Court,” Workplace Class Action Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, December 22, 2021

  • Co-Author, “Court Declines To Enjoin Employer’s Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy,” Workplace Class Action Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, September 29, 2021

  • Co-Author, “In Precedent Setting Ruling, Texas Federal Court Dismisses Employees’ Wrongful Termination Suit Regarding Refusal to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine,” Workplace Class Action Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, June 23, 2021  

  • Co-Author, “Primer on The Line Between Proper and Improper Communications with Parties in a Class Action,” Workplace Class Action Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, January 28, 2021

  • Co-Author, “A Busy Year in Workplace Class Action Litigation is Expected,” Law360, January 8, 2021

  • Co-Author, “Leaving the Laches Open: Federal Court Denies Employer’s Dispositive Motions Despite EEOC’s Seven-Year Delay In Filing Suit,” EEOC Year-End Countdown Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, November 23, 2020

  • Co-Author, “Petition for Additional Attorneys’ Fees Denied by D.C. Court in Largest Employment Discrimination Class Action Settlement in U.S. History,” Workplace Class Action Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, November 11, 2020

Selected Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, "Key Developments in Antitrust Class Action Litigation: Recent Developments, Key Class Action Trends, Significant Rulings, and Major Settlements Shaping the Future of Antitrust," HB Litigation Conferences, March 2025
  • Co-presenter, "The Data Privacy and Security Landscape: Privacy Class Action Litigation Trends," Duane Morris Webinar, May 30, 2024
  • Co-presenter, “EPLI Risks:  Artificial Intelligence,” EPL & Artificial Intelligence Training Program hosted by AIG, New York, NY, April 2, 2024
  • Speaker, "What to Expect In AI Litigation In 2024,” Annual Class Action Law Forum, University of San Diego School of Law, March 12, 2024, 

  • Speaker, “Current Issues in Class Action Defense: Trends, Innovations, Strategy, and Practical Insights” Strafford Publications Webinar, August 29, 2023

  • Speaker, “Class Action Defense and Pre-Certification Motions for Summary Judgment: Minimizing the Likelihood of Class Certification” Strafford Publications Webinar, July 20, 2023.

  • Speaker, "Privacy Class Action Trends" Federal Bar Association Webinar, June 9, 2023

  • Speaker, "The Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”)," Federal Bar Association Webinar, May 26, 2023

  • Speaker, "Best Practices In HR – Employee Discipline, Performance Reviews, Terminations, and Reductions In Force,” ASA Staffing Law Conference, May 18, 2023

  • Speaker, "Class Action Trends," Federal Bar Association Webinar, May 10, 2023

  • Speaker, “State of the Industry: Class Action Review,” 2023 Class Action Money & Ethics Conference, Beard Group, May 8, 2023, 

  • Speaker, “Mid-Year Review Of EEOC-Initiated Litigation,” Duane Morris LLP Webinar, May 3, 2023

  • Speaker, "Recent Trends and Strategies for Defending Wage & Hour Class and Collective Actions," Federal Bar Association Webinar, April 27, 2023

  • Speaker, "Defending Workplace Class Actions," Law Practice CLE Webinar, March 20, 2023

  • Speaker, "Harassment Within The Workplace," Lorman Education Services Webinar, March 2, 2023

  • Speaker, "Class Action Review – 2023 Book Launch Event," Duane Morris LLP, January 26, 2023 in Philadelphia, PA

  • Speaker, "Wiretapping Laws And Litigation," Federal Bar Association Webinar, January 20, 2023

  • Speaker, "Understanding the EEOC Strategic Plan," Law Practice CLE Webinar, December 2, 2022

  • Speaker, “The Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) Class Action Litigation:  Key Trends and Best Defense Strategies Webcast,” The Knowledge Group, October 19, 2022

  • Speaker, “Biometric Privacy Laws and Employment Class Actions in 2022,” Thomson Reuters (West), West LegalEdcenter Online Programs, August 25, 2022

  • Speaker, "Understanding the EEOC Strategic Plan," Lorman Education Services Webinar, July 12, 2022

  • Speaker, "Changes in Personal Jurisdiction After The Ford Decision: Impact on Nonresident Corporations," Strafford Publications Webinar, June 22, 2022

  • Speaker, “Defending Workplace Class Actions: Recent Cases, Arbitration Claims, Wage and Hour, Breach of Contract Claims,” Law Practice CLE, June 21, 2022

  • Speaker, "Defending Workplace Class Actions: Recent Cases, Arbitration Claims, Wage and Hour, Breach of Contract Claims," Strafford Publications Webinar, May 26, 2022

  • Speaker, "18th Annual Workplace Class Action Litigation Report Webinar," Seyfarth Shaw LLP Webinar, February 15, 2022

  • Speaker, "Looking Ahead: The Future of Class Action Litigation," The Knowledge Group CLE Seminar, January 13, 2022

  • Co-Presenter, "Understanding the EEOC Strategic Plan," Law Practice CLE Webinar, December 2, 2022

  • Speaker, “Remote Workforce and Wage and Hour Issues: How to Address Potential Class Action Risks,” The Knowledge Group Live Webcast, October 22, 2021

  • Speaker, “The Current Landscape of Workplace Class Litigation: What You Must Know and Do," The Knowledge Group Live Webcast, August 26, 2021

  • Speaker, “Insight on the Viability of Class Waivers in the Era of COVID-19,” American Bar Association Webinar, December 16, 2020

  • Speaker, “Mastering Qui Tam, False Claims and Class Actions,” The Rossdale Group CLE Seminar, October 15, 2020

  • Speaker, “Employment Class Actions: The 2020 Landscape Explored,” The Knowledge Group Live Webcast, October 8, 2020

  • Speaker, “Settling Wage/Hour Claims,” Strafford Publications Webinar, September 22, 2020

  • Speaker, “Personal Jurisdiction and Article III Standing in Class Actions,” Strafford Publications Webinar, July 28, 2020

  • Speaker, “Class Certification: Trends, Developments and Effective Strategies,” The Knowledge Group Live Webcast, February 11, 2020

  • Speaker, “Class Action Litigation in 2019: Trends and Updates to Watch For,” The Knowledge Group Live Webcast, August 20, 2019

  • Speaker, “FLSA Collective Action Certification and Decertification Strategies,” Law Practice CLE,  August 8, 2019

  • Speaker, “Workplace Class Action Litigation: Navigating Trends, Developments and Issues,” The Knowledge Group Live Webcast, June 25, 2019

  • Speaker, “EPLI Decision-Making for Wage & Hour Claims,” ACI’s 32nd Annual Wage and Hour Claims and Class Actions Conference, June 25, 2019

  • Speaker, “FLSA Collective Action Conditional Certification and Decertification Strategies,” Strafford Publications Webinars, June 19, 2019

  • Speaker, “Employment Litigation and Claim Settlements: Maximizing Tax Benefits, Avoiding Penalties When Allocating Proceeds,” Strafford Publications Webinars, May 1, 2019

  • Speaker, “2019 Workplace Class Action Litigation Report Webinar,” Legal Executive Institute, Thomson Reuters, March 26, 2019

  • Speaker, “Wage and Hour Class Actions: Looking Back and What’s Ahead,” The Knowledge Group Webinar, January 17, 2019

  • Speaker, “How and Why Employers Must Create Reasonable Accommodations Under The ADA,” Lexington Insurance Company Sponsored Webinar, August 1, 2018

  • Speaker, “FLSA Collective Action Conditional Certification and Decertification Strategies,” Strafford Publications Webinars, June 20, 2018

  • Speaker, “EEOC: Updates, Investigations and Enforcement in 2018,” The Knowledge Congress Live Webcast Series, May 9, 2018

  • Speaker, “Workplace Class Actions: Lessons from 2017 Settlement and Court Rulings, Preparing for 2018 and Beyond,” Strafford Publications Webinars, April 25, 2018

  • Speaker, “Class Action Litigation: Defense Strategies You Need to Know,” The Knowledge Group Live Webcast, December 12, 2017

  • Speaker, “FLSA Collective Action Conditional Certification and Decertification Strategies,” Strafford Publications Webinars, May 11, 2017

  • Speaker, “Joint Employer Liability in the Employment Discrimination Context,” American Conference Institute’s 8th Annual Forum on Defending and Managing Employment Discrimination Litigation, July 29, 2016

  • Speaker, “The EEOC's Proposed Revisions to EEO-1 Report: Time to Overhaul Your Payroll System?” The Knowledge Congress Live Webcast Series, September 19, 2016

  • Speaker, “Class Action Litigation: The Ins and Outs,” The Knowledge Congress Live Webcast Series, May 6, 2016

  • Speaker, “Strategies for Compliance With Upcoming Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Regulation Changes,” Lexington Insurance Company Sponsored Webinar, October 13, 2016

  • Speaker, “EEOC Conciliation Efforts: Reviewability - Truth and Consequences for Employers in 2016 and Beyond,” The Knowledge Congress Live Webcast Series, November 4, 2016

  • Speaker, “EEOC Conciliation Efforts: Reviewability - Truth and Consequences for Employers in 2015 and Beyond,” The Knowledge Congress Live Webcast Series, December 4, 2015

  • Speaker, “Legal Risks Facing the Staffing Industry,” Randstad North America Legal Committee Meeting, November 5, 2015

  • Speaker, “Key Trends In EEOC Litigation,” Retail Industry Leaders Association Webinar, August 19, 2015

  • Speaker, “Assault and Battery: Emerging Issues in Employer-Employee Litigation in 2015,” The Knowledge Congress Live Webcast Series, March 10, 2015

  • Speaker, “Defending Title VII Litigation: Rethinking Strategies After Recent Employee-Friendly Federal Court Rulings,” Strafford Publications Webinars, June 18, 2014

  • Speaker, “It’s Time to Re-Evaluate Workplace Arbitration,” Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, IMA Video Reference Library, May 8, 2014

  • Speaker, “Arbitrating Class/Collective Action Cases: The Next Frontier in ADR?” American Bar Association, ADR in Labor & Employment Law Midwinter Meeting, February 22, 2014

  • Speaker, “Wage and Hour Litigation and New Insurance Solutions,” Retail Law Conference, Phoenix, sponsored by Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), October 2013

  • Speaker, “Emerging Issues in Workplace Class Action Litigation,” The Knowledge Congress Webcast Series, June 2013.

  • Speaker, “Affordable Care Act: What Employers Need to Know,” HR Affinity Day Workshop, Planned Parenthood National Conference, sponsored by Lexington Insurance Company, April 2013

  • Speaker, “Workplace Class Actions and EEOC Litigation Trends for 2011,” Planned Parenthood National Conference, sponsored by Lexington Insurance Company, April 2011

  • Speaker, “On the Cutting Edge of Workplace Class Actions,” EPLI Webinar for Zurich Insurance, February 2011

  • Speaker, “Preserving Attorney-Client Privilege and Controlling Discovery,” Corporate Counsel College, International Association of Defense Counsel, April 2010

  • Speaker, “Dispute Resolution Clauses in Commercial Contracts,” Reinsurance Association of America, Re Contracts, June 2007

Representative Matters

  • Represented medical clinic in crafting a multi-pronged defense strategy against a massive hybrid class and collective action lawsuit, alleging violation of the FLSA and various state wage and hour laws.

  • Represented Capstone Logistics in obtaining a trial order compelling plaintiffs to arbitrate claims in a massive class action suit, further representing the client after the plaintiffs filed a petition for writ of mandamus. 

  • Obtained dismissal for GEICO's nationwide class action lawsuit related to claims of misclassifying employees as independent contractors to deny retirement and insurance benefits. After the dismissal, the plaintiffs filed an appeal before the Sixth Circuit, but the appellate court maintained the previous ruling, and the client avoided potential devastating damages.

  • Defended GEICO in a nationwide wage and hour hybrid class and collective action brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act and various state laws. After challenging the court's ability to exercise specific personal jurisdiction, the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed nationwide claims and narrowed their case to New York.

  • Obtained personal jurisdiction dismissal for Candid Color in class action brought under the Illinois Biometric Privacy Act. The suit related to alleged use of facial technology, and the client was able to avoid potential severe damages.