Illinois and Indiana Seminar - What Employers with Operations in Both States Need to Know
Labor & Employment attorneys from SmithAmundsen’s Chicago and Indianapolis offices (Jeffrey Risch, Michael Wong and Suzanne Newcomb) will present a full day live seminar for employers operating in both Indiana and Illinois
Speaker Information
Jeffrey Risch, Partner
Jeffrey serves as Chair of SmithAmundsen’s expansive Management-Side Labor and Employment Practice Group and is a member of the firm's Executive Committee. Through years of both in-house and private practice, Jeffrey has gained extensive experience as a management-side labor and employment attorney. A seasoned litigator, Jeffrey represents employers in local, state and federal courts and administrative agencies throughout the United States and has taken several prominent cases successfully through the appellate process. As an advisor, Jeffrey concentrates on assisting employers with the purpose of providing them the most efficient avenue to effectively manage with a keen recognition of his client’s ‘bottom line’.
Jeffrey’s practice is focused on representing employers with regard to: countering various union tactics; responding to government audits; defending discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination claims; avoiding employee wage and hour controversies; complying with prevailing wage laws; litigating employment contract disputes and unfair competition controversies; upholding independent contractor and contingent workforce relationships; and negotiating collective bargaining agreements.
As Chairman of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s Employment Law & Litigation Committee, as well as serving as Chapter Labor Counsel for the Associated Builders & Contractors of Illinois, Jeffrey has a solid understanding and appreciation for the latest trends, developments and political influences that shape labor & employment law and controversies. He is committed to applying and sharing this deep knowledge and experience to assist employers on a local, regional and national basis.
Prior to joining SmithAmundsen, Jeffrey was an equity partner for a Midwest based labor & employment boutique firm, and an associate for a prominent Tulsa, Oklahoma firm. Jeffrey also obtained substantial experience as in-house counsel for a multi-state industrial equipment distributor and service provider with both union and non-union operations.
Suzanne Newcomb, Of Counsel Suzanne is a skilled litigator who brings many years of experience to SmithAmundsen’s Indianapolis office. She litigates in federal and state courts throughout the state of Indiana representing the interests of management in employment and labor disputes and defending businesses facing personal injury and premise liability claims.
Suzanne’s jury trial experience spans an array of industries including commercial aviation, hotel and hospitality, manufacturing, banking, nonprofit, public entity and governmental compliance. Suzanne works with clients to avoid trial when possible by aggressively challenging the sufficiency of an opponent’s evidence and has enjoyed considerable success having cases summarily dismissed for lack of evidence. When summary dismissal is not feasible, Suzanne vigorously pursues alternative dispute resolution and has successfully mediated hundreds of disputes for clients.
Suzanne also helps businesses avoid litigation by tailoring employment policies to meet their unique needs and by helping them to navigate complicated human resource concerns as they arise. Suzanne brings a unique background to the firm having begun her career as a plaintiff’s employment trial attorney. She uses insight gained through this experience to help clients spot potential problems and diffuse those problems before they turn into litigation. Suzanne also represents the interests of businesses before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Indiana Civil Rights Commission and various local civil rights agencies.
Michael Wong, Associate
Michael is an associate in Smith Amundsen’s St. Charles office and a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. Michael focuses his practice on advising and representing employers in various labor and employment law matters, including discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, civil-right claims, FMLA claims, wage and hour issues, class actions, and other labor and employment issues arising under state, federal and administrative laws. Michael represents clients in state and federal courts and administrative agencies, including the Illinois Department of Human Rights, Illinois Human Rights Commission and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Prior to joining the SmithAmundsen, Michael was an associate for a boutique Chicago law firm and St. Charles law firm where his practice involved litigating complex legal issues, contract disputes, employment law matters, local and national class actions, wage and hour cases and civil rights claims. Michael also has experience in business litigation, intellectual property, severance and non-compete agreements, real estate, family law, estate planning and forcible entry and detainer.
Michael is licensed to practice in the State of Illinois, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the United States Appellate Court for the Seventh Circuit.