Public Sector

Laner Muchin guides our public sector employers through the many complex legal requirements governing the employment relationship. We partner with our public sector clients to navigate through the challenges of answering to multiple constituencies while complying with state and federal employment laws and rights.

Our team partners with a broad range of public entities, including state, county and local governments, police and fire departments, transit authorities, water districts and library systems. In academia, we frequently advise K-12 school districts and higher education institutions on labor relations and personnel management to enhance employee relations and foster an optimal learning environment for students. Knowing the specific needs of public employers, our attorneys develop cost-effective legal strategies that obtain favorable results—both inside and outside the courtroom.

Employment Litigation

Laner Muchin’s seasoned litigators defend our public sector clients against myriad employment claims brought under state and federal laws. The firm regularly represents clients in litigation before the state and national agencies governing these issues including the Illinois State and Local Labor Relations Boards, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB), the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) and related Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) agencies, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL). 

Labor and Employee Relations

Our attorneys have extensive public sector knowledge and experience across the full gamut of labor relations issues and employment-related legal concerns. We help our clients respond to employee issues involving discrimination and harassment concerns, disability and other accommodation analysis, medical and other legally required leave issues, and retaliation and whistleblower claims, among other employment disputes.

Collective Bargaining

With deep roots in collective bargaining, our attorneys guide public sector clients through these high-stakes challenges long before they arrive at the bargaining table.

We work closely with clients to develop sound bargaining, communication and public relations strategies that can bring prompt resolutions for both sides. In the rare event of work stoppages, we advise clients on maintaining operational continuity to minimize business impact. Our broad experience includes addressing work stoppages that pose risks to public health and safety under the State and Educational Labor Relations Acts. Additionally, our strong working relationships with nearly every major union help to mitigate these issues effectively. Additionally, for those clients who have bargaining units that are statutorily prohibited from striking, such as police and fire units, we regularly and successfully represent our clients in interest arbitration proceedings to resolve bargaining impasses.

We further enhance our service by working closely with our public sector clients, advising on the administration of their collective bargaining agreements and representing them in the processing of grievances, including before labor arbitrators.