NELA
The Chicago Bar Association

Ongoing Employment Advice

Employers as a regular course receive employment advice from their attorneys - and you should also receive such advice from a knowledgeable attorney of your choosing to level the playing field.

Some employees believe that if they merely complain to/ contact the Employer’s human resources department with an issue that their situation will be dealt with fairly - and sometimes it will. But it is important to realize that one of the primary functions of an Employer’s HR employees is to protect the Employer itself from liability; and so an employee cannot assume that the HR employee will either act to protect a complaining employee or maintain a request for confidentiality.

Yet many times (for a variety of reasons) it is necessary to first complain to the Employer’s HR department to protect your rights. I can assist you in navigating this situation toward attempting to obtain the result that you want.

I have over 30 years experience pursuing justice on behalf of employees - fighting institutions who engage in illegal employment practices. I have represented everyone from high-level corporate executives and other professionals to administrative support staff and blue-collar workers, delivering strategic and intelligent solutions for employees faced with seemingly overwhelming challenges in the workplace. I can take some of the pressure off of you so that you can know your rights and know how to better handle your employment situation.

My law firm is dedicated to providing employees with innovative solutions, tenacious representation, and practical advice. As I stated in my home page, because I have represented both individuals and businesses, I know from experience what motivates both employees and employers in employment disputes. This dual perspective shapes not just my litigation strategies, but also my approach to resolving disputes.

I can assist you with workplace concerns such as:

  • How to address difficult/ ongoing work situations involving your boss/ supervisor/ co-workers (documentation and direct/ indirect communications with the Employer/ supervisor/ HR);

  • How to respond to/ address your having been issued a negative performance review or a Performance Improvement Plan - sometimes a rebuttal is needed, sometimes an internal complaint is needed, and sometimes both (or neither) are needed;

  • Best practices for communicating with Human Resources;

  • Exit strategies - having the Employer agree not to contest unemployment and provide a positive or at least neutral reference/ obtaining severance where you decide you want to leave your employment/ attempting to work out the elimination of a restrictive covenant; and

  • What to do if your rights are being violated (there are usually many options).

Employers do not have all the power, and I can advise you of your rights and inherent tactical advantages as well as the employer’s vulnerability areas and how best to properly address and press forward your rights for maximum effectiveness.

Sometimes ongoing advice is needed (which I attentively provide), but other times a single consultation is all that is needed so that you will have a working strategy to go forward (which I also provide).

Depending on the circumstances, a mere consultation with me can make a positive difference in your employment situation (sometimes being the difference between you being disciplined/terminated and that not occurring), which understandably can likewise make a big impact on your income as well as your peace of mind.

Call me to briefly discuss if it makes sense for you to come in for an appointment to my Chicago loop office to further discuss your employment situation.

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Client Reviews
★★★★★
"I found David Porter's representation of me to be both professional and compassionate. He did a solid job of explaining my legal options and provided me with real world examples of how labor/employment law works. His support and advocacy helped me to get through a very difficult time in my professional life. I would without hesitation highly recommend him to a friend in need of a seasoned practitioner." Jack
★★★★★
"I can't thank you enough for dealing with the bureaucracy of the Indiana and Illinois unemployment offices. Their response to my individual communications seemed to be the default answer of "No". With your help and persistence you were able to cut through the red tape and win my Trade Adjustment Assistance, allowing me to pursue my Master's of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering. It is a good feeling to know I can call on such a great resource in trying times." Marc
★★★★★
"After finding myself in a terrible position with a former employer to whom my fate was at their mercy, David Porter stepped in and negotiated a settlement plan that not only kept me out of court, but also prevented any negative references or information being leaked out to possibly hinder my future growth as a professional." Mike