Lauren S. Novak handles labor and employment law matters for clients in a diverse range of industries, including food and beverage, construction, gaming, manufacturing, outsourcing companies, educational institutions, and municipalities. Clients contact her to answer their day-to-day employment questions, review employee handbooks and employment policies, as well as to handle their more complex legal matters. Whether she is defending an unfair labor practice charge before the National Labor Relations Board, guiding employers through the union election process, or litigating a discrimination case, Lauren makes client communication a priority. Her primary goal is to resolve these matters in a fast and efficient way so that her clients can return their focus to their businesses.
Having previously served as in-house counsel for a labor union, Lauren has the unique ability to see both sides of each case. She uses this insight to successfully guide clients through employee contract negotiations, terminations, leave of absence issues, and settlement conferences. She also assists employers in responding to audit requests from union pension funds. When the time comes to litigate, Lauren calls upon her experience handling over a dozen labor arbitrations as well as her experience resolving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims to vigorously defend her clients.
Prior to joining Schiff Hardin, Lauren was an associate at a Midwest law firm representing public and private sector employers in labor and employment matters. Previously, she served as Associate General Counsel for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150. She is currently an active Executive Committee member of the Chicago Bar Association Alliance for Women and the Community Outreach Committee for the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois. Lauren is also the founder of a networking group for Chicago-area female labor and employment attorneys.
Lauren counsels employers in all aspects of labor and employment law including:
- Reductions in force
- Employee discipline issues
- Labor relations
- Policies and practices
- Employment agreements
- Settlement agreements
- Severance matters
- Collective bargaining
- Federal and state employment discrimination matters
More Legal and Business Bylines From Lauren S. Novak
- We Have Enough Battlegrounds: Keep Employee Voting Leave Requests Civil by Following State Law - (Posted On Friday, October 30, 2020)
- Stay Home, Chicago: Emergency Order Requires Travelers from High-Risk States to Quarantine - (Posted On Monday, July 13, 2020)
- Good News for Companies: Seventh Circuit Holds Removal of Plaintiffs’ Biometrics Privacy Claims to Federal Court OK - (Posted On Tuesday, May 19, 2020)
- To Terminate or Not to Terminate? How PPP Loans Impact Termination Considerations for Employers Seeking Loan Forgiveness - (Posted On Tuesday, May 12, 2020)
- COVID-19 Workplace Safety: Tips for Employers with Essential Employees - (Posted On Thursday, April 09, 2020)
- Give the IRS Some Credit: IRS Issues Families First Coronavirus Response Act FAQs Ahead of April 1 Effective Date - (Posted On Thursday, April 02, 2020)
- Senate Passes Families First Coronavirus Response Act: What Employers Need to Know - (Posted On Thursday, March 19, 2020)
- Coronavirus Pandemic: House Passes Legislation to Provide Paid Leave for Many Employees - (Posted On Monday, March 16, 2020)
- Coronavirus Pandemic: Top Questions and Answers for Employers - (Posted On Thursday, March 12, 2020)
- Coronavirus: 5 Things Employers Can Do Today to Prepare for Tomorrow - (Posted On Monday, March 02, 2020)