Shareholder
During her 20+ years as an employment attorney, Ms. Deem has represented executives and individuals in a wide variety of employment matters, including severance and employment agreement negotiations, employment discrimination claims and retaliatory discharge cases. Her practice includes handling all types of discrimination and harassment claims, including individuals who have been subjected to age, race, gender, disability, national origin, pregnancy and sexual orientation discrimination. Ms. Deem regularly represents clients in all types of employment law forums, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, arbitration, mediation and in federal and state court.
Ms. Deem has extensive experience representing C-Suite and senior executives in job transition and change-of-control situations with drafting and negotiating severance and employment agreements, as well as non-competition agreements, and other related executive matters such as shareholder and partnership agreements. She advises executive clients on equity and compensation issues involving long-term and short-term incentive plans, stock options, restricted stock unit agreements and other equity arrangements.
Ms. Deem currently serves as the Employee Co-Chair of the Trial Institute and Membership Development Committees of the American Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section. She is a past Employee Co-Chair and member of the Employment Rights and Responsibilities Committee (ERR) of the American Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section. Ms. Deem is a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), and the Chicago Bar Association (CBA).
Since 2012, Ms. Deem has been recognized each year as a top employment attorney by Illinois Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyers. Only the top 5% of lawyers in Illinois are selected as Super Lawyers, using a multi-step evaluation process involving a statewide survey of lawyers, independent panel research and in-depth evaluation of background and experience by practice area. Ms. Deem also is a frequent presenter and speaker on employment law topics.
Advice on and Review of Executive Employment Agreement
I reached out to Lori because I knew she would be able to quickly focus my attention on the key issues for consideration as I negotiated my employment agreement. The review of the terms was one thing, but the discussion related to contextual considerations was next level. I ultimately didn’t push for everything, but that was my decision. Lori provided me with the ammunition to respond back in real time and helped me prioritize on those elements that were most important. I have and will continue to recommend Lori to anyone in need of similar advice and counsel.
Separation Agreement
Lori was simply fantastic! I had a short time window to execute an agreement due to holidays and end of year. Lori was not only very knowledgeable of the law and my options, but also helped me negotiate a larger package than originally offered. Most importantly, she truly cared. Even though she had multiple projects going on with numerous other clients, Lori always made time for me and made me feel like I was her top priority. Lori is a true professional and is great in the employment law space. I highly recommend her.
Assessing if any legal action was required as I exited my previous employer in March of 2023.
Lori was very thorough and spent the necessary time to help me assess all my legal rights and options as I left my previous company. She took the time to listen to my side of the story, while educating me on what a realistic outcome would/could be that was in my best interest.
I would definitely utilize Lori for future issues or concerns.
Severance Agreement Negotiation
Lori is the best. She really listened to me when I presented her with my situation, quickly discerned the legally significant events, and ultimately secured a more generous and fair severance package. Lori is incredibly knowledgeable about the legal options that are available and perhaps more importantly, she has expert instincts about how to approach opposing counsel. She achieved a positive outcome without unnecessary escalation and that was really important to me. I felt well-represented and recommend her without reservation. On a personal note, Lori really cares and our conversations were very affirming which helped me process and catalog this experience in a healthy way.
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Juris Doctor (1998) ; Loyola University Chicago Law Journal: Member (1997), Student Articles Editor (1998)
Xavier University, Bachelor of Arts (1995), Summa Cum Laude – Major: Organizational Communication
Illinois Supreme Court (1998)
Northern District of Illinois
Included on the Illinois Super Lawyers® list (2012-2024)
Recognized as a Leading Lawyer by Leading Lawyers Network (2012 - present)
Selected by Lawdragon 500 as Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyer (2018-2023) and Civil Rights Lawyer (2021-2023)
Best Lawyers® – Recognized in Employment Law - Individuals (2024)
Recognized as Top 50 Women Illinois Super Lawyers® (2024)
Member, National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA)
Member, Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA)
Member, Chicago Bar Association (CBA)
Employee Co-Chair, Trial Institute and Membership Development Committees of the American Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section
Past Employee Co-Chair and Member, Employment Rights and Responsibilities Committee (ERR) of the American Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section
“#MeToo in the Law: A panel discussion on sexual harassment in the legal workplace,” CLE Seminar (2019)
“A View from the Other Side: Employee Relations and Investigations Mistakes and Best Practices from the Plaintiff’s Perspective,” Webinar (2018)
“Issues in Employment Law: Harassment,” Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (2018)
“Sexual Harassment in the Workplace,” Gender and the Law Symposium (2018)
“Strong Foundations Build Strong Cases: Covenants Not to Compete and Trade Secrets,” Employment Rights and Responsibilities Midwinter Meeting (2018)
“2018 Legal Trends from a Plaintiff Attorney’s Perspective,” Employee Relations Roundtable (2018)
“How to Minimize Risks Associated with Internal Investigations,” Annual Conference (2018)
“The Changing World of Harassment and Discrimination,” American Bar Association, Section of Labor & Employment, Annual Meeting (2018)
“Litigating Executive Departures: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” 12th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference (2018)
“What Every In-House Counsel Needs to Know About Internal Investigations,” Webinar (2017)
“Investigations & HR: What You Need to Know,” Northern Illinois Chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management (NISHRM) (2017)
“Legal Update – Plaintiff’s Employment Attorney Perspective,” Employee Relations Roundtable (2017)
“Legal Update,” Employee Relations Roundtable (2017)
“Investigations Best Practices,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2016)
“Pay No Attention to the (Wo)man Behind the Curtain: A Frank Discussion Regarding Investigation Advice from the Defense and Plaintiff’s Perspectives,” Annual Conference (2016)
“Confidentiality, Waivers and Similar Settlement Agreement Provisions Under Scrutiny: Tell Me About Your Settlement Agreement,” 10th Annual Labor & Employment CLE Conference (2016)
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