Lori Goldstein, an employment lawyer since 1984, represents employers and employees on a wide range of issues. She counsels businesses and individuals on personnel matters including employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, termination, wage-hour, employment disputes, employment and severance agreements, employee manuals, wage and overtime issues, and independent contractor issues. Lori handles claims before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Labor and other administrative agencies. She also provides discrimination and sexual harassment training, employment law compliance audits, and internal investigations, and regularly presents and writes on employment topics. Lori believes in amicable resolution, efficiency, economics and accessibility in serving her clients. Rated “superb” by AVVO. Selected by Superlawyers Illinois 2016-2022, Top 100 Lawyers 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, and Top 50 Women Lawyers 2017, 2019-22.
| EDUCATION | University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, J.D., 1984, B.S., Journalism, 1981; Law Review (Member and Index Editor), James Scholar |
| EMPLOYMENT | |
| February, 2011 – Present | Law Office of Lori A. Goldstein (Employment Law — representing employers and employees) |
| June, 2000-January, 2011 | Of Counsel, Labor and Employment Group Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon Chicago, Illinois |
| 1984-May, 2000 | Counsel (1991-2000; offered partnership in 1991); Associate (1984-1991) Employment Law & Litigation Holleb & Coff Chicago, Illinois |
| PROFESSIONAL and COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS | |
| 2011- | North Shore LAW (Lawyers Advisors Women) Exclusive Professional Women’s Networking Group (EPWNG) Career Resource Center of Lake Forest (CRC) Board New Trier High School Board of Education (2011-2019) North Suburban Special Education District (NSSED) Governing Board (2011-2019) |
| 2010-2015 | Temple Jeremiah of Board of Directors and Legal Counsel |
| 1992-present | American Bar Association Committee on Labor and Employment |
| 1988-present | Chicago Bar Association Committee on Labor and Employment |
| 1986-present | Women’s Bar Association of Illinois |
PRESENTATIONS INCLUDE:
- What to Know Before You Buy or Sell a Business – Zoom Advisor Panel
- New Illinois Rules Impact Non-Competes and Non-Solicits – Exit Planning Exchange (XPX) Chicago
- Navigating our World in a Time of Uncertainty (EPWNG Panel Webinar)
- Artists in a Time of Global Pandemic (webinar hosted by HowlRound Theatre Commons; 4500 attendees worldwide)
- Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (Fastest Labs Lunch and Learn)
- Negotiating Job Offers (Wilmette Library)
- Paid Sick Leave and Pregnancy Accommodations (HR in the Fast Lane Interview: http://advisor.tv/hr-in-the-fast-lane/s6e5-lori-goldstein-founder-owner-and-employment-lawyer-at-law-office-of-lori-a-goldstein-llc)
- Difficult Conversations in the Workplace (Women Optimizing Women; Career Resource Center)
- Current Issues In Employment: Worker Classification, Hiring and Workplace Discrimination Laws,
- Social Media at Work, Documentation and Employment Contracts, Noncompetes and
- Severance Agreements (FGMK, LLC)
- Medical Marijuana and Your Workforce – Developments in Employment Law (Lakeshore Healthcare and Rehabilitation Centre and Illinois Masonic Hospital)
- Women in the Workplace: Legal Rights and Issues (Women’s Exchange)
- Beginnings and Endings: Rights at Hire and Fire (Congregation Ahavat Olam)
- Having Difficult Conversations, Tips, Tricks and Techniques (The Fall Professional Speakers of EPWNG)
- Current Issues in Employment Law: At-Will Employment, Employment Contracts, and New Rules on Noncompetes; Rights at Termination, Separation Agreements and RIFs; An Older Workplace (North Shore Executive Networking Group – NSENG)
- Worker Classification – 1099 vs. W-2 — Illinois CPA Society Annual Summit
- Freedom of Speech and Social Media – ISBA Minority Bar CLE Conference
- Employment Compliance Tips to Childcare Businesses – Women’s Business Development Center
PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE:
- “Businesses are Returning to On-Site Work – What Do Job Candidates and Employees Need to Know”? Career Resource Center Newsletter July 2021
- Quoted in “How COVID-19 Pushed HR Into the Future,” Illinois CPA Society Insight Magazine Spring 2021
- “Disability and Leave Obligations in a Pandemic,” inFocus Payroll LLC Newsletter, January 2021
- “What are Employee Rights During a Pandemic?” Career Resource Center Newsletter April 2020
- “Equal Pay – How Do We Fare Today?” Client Bulletin Spring 2019
- Quoted in Super Lawyers article (magazine inserted in Crain’s Chicago Business February 4, 2019): How to Avoid a Discrimination Suit
- Featured in VoyageChicago Magazine’s inspiring stories August 14, 2018
- Quoted in overtime article in July 2018 Super Lawyers online magazine
- “New Paid Sick Leave Requirements and Minimum Wage Increases in Chicago and Cook County Effective July 1, 2017,” Special Client Bulletin Summer 2017
- “Lessons From Harvey Weinstein And Other Gender Issues At Work,” Client Bulletin Fall 2017
- “Leave Of Absence: A “Break” From Work As A Reasonable Accommodation,” Client Bulletin
- “Work Transition In 2015,” August 20, 2015 interview on the Next Act for Women blog at http://nextactforwomen.com.
- “Legal Advice for Women in the Workplace/Transition,” Next Act for Women Blog, 8/20/15
- “Employee Accommodations in Two Arenas: Pregnancy and Mental Disabilities,” Client Bulletin Fall 2014
- “Medical Marijuana and Your Workforce – The New (2014) Illinois Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act (MCPP)” (3-part series), Client Bulletins June 2014, July 2014, August 2014
- “Legal Lessons for Employment Transitions,” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin September 2013
- “Exit Interviews,” North Shore LAW June 2013 and Chicago Daily Law Bulletin August 2013