CHICAGO (January 24, 2019) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has added David P. Radelet, Christopher A. Johlie, Jeff Nowak and Staci Ketay Rotman as shareholders in the firm’s Chicago office. Prior to joining Littler, the group served as partners at Franczek Radelet P.C., where Radelet was a founding partner.
“We are thrilled to add this group of shareholders in Chicago as part of our ongoing effort to attract highly skilled lawyers and lateral groups,” said Tom Bender and Jeremy Roth, co-managing directors of Littler, in a joint statement. “Each of these individuals shares our dedication to strong client service – but they also bring unique and varied experiences that will help us expand our position as the leader in labor and employment law both nationally and around the world.”
The group’s background includes extensive national experience in union negotiations, arbitrations, union avoidance strategies and related NLRB and court proceedings; recognized leadership on the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); wide-ranging expertise in wage/hour counseling and defense; representation of a Fortune 100 company in a massive declaratory class action to restructure retiree health obligations; and broad representation of national retailers and hospitality groups, among others. They have counseled clients in litigation matters before state and federal courts, as well as major administrative bodies monitoring labor and employment regulations.
“These four lawyers have developed a strong reputation locally and nationally for advising clients on critical issues impacting the workplace, including matters ranging from union-related matters to wage and hour issues to discrimination and wrongful termination to harassment claims,” said Jody Boquist, office managing shareholder of Littler’s Chicago office. “Their extensive knowledge and diverse experiences will enhance our service to clients – and we are excited to welcome them to the Chicago office.”
“When considering labor and employment law firms, Littler is truly the gold standard and market leader,” said Dave Radelet. “By joining the firm, we will be able to leverage Littler’s reputation, expansive resources and dedication to innovation to elevate the representation we provide to clients. Our focused strategy aligns completely with Littler’s. Together with our new colleagues we look forward to providing an unprecedented level of service to our clients.”
About the Attorneys
David P. Radelet has practiced for more than three decades representing private sector employers across the country in a wide variety of labor and employment matters, including manufacturing, transportation, and retail industry leaders, associations, and a variety of firms in the service sector. Dave’s practice within the labor and employment field is broad-based, and includes many years of experience representing employers in collective bargaining, arbitrations, union organizing and decertification situations, and related NLRB and court proceedings; employment litigation before various courts and agencies; and providing general employment-related counseling and compliance advice. Dave has been particularly active in advising employers in the labor and employment elements of core business strategies, and assisting mature union-represented employers in developing and implementing next-generation business strategies for new product development, complexity reduction, facility shutdown or relocation, and other essential strategic initiatives. Dave earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.A., with high honors, from Michigan State University.
Christopher A. Johlie has represented private and public sector employers of all sizes for over 30 years. He is a counselor, negotiator, and litigator for his clients in a wide variety of industries including transportation, hospitality, manufacturing, recreation, education, healthcare, and construction. Chris’s traditional labor practice draws on his past NLRB experience and covers union organizing, labor law compliance, collective bargaining, arbitration, and state and federal labor board matters. He also devotes significant time to employment law issues including discipline and discharge advice and counseling, workplace investigations, and EEO compliance training. Chris received his J.D. from the DePaul University College of Law and his B.A., with high distinction, from Indiana University.
Jeff Nowak has two decades of experience advising and litigating on behalf of employers on a wide range of complex employment law matters and is a recognized leader on FMLA and ADA issues, helping employers develop comprehensive strategies to achieve compliance with employee leave and accommodation issues. Nowak is lauded by clients for his ability to bring a practical approach and unflappable demeanor to the most sensitive and difficult situations, always with an eye on the client’s business and operational objectives. Given his experience in leave management and workplace accommodations, Nowak regularly counsels some of the country’s largest and diverse employers on these critical employment issues. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from the Indiana University School of Law and his B.A. from Indiana University.
Staci Ketay Rotman has extensive experience counseling and strategizing with clients in all aspects of labor and employment law. She has successfully represented clients before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, as well as in arbitration hearings. Her experience focuses on employment discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, leave management, employee accommodation, employment related torts, employment policies and agreements, reductions in force, wage and hour and other workplace matters. Rotman regularly counsels clients on how best to achieve their business objectives while minimizing risk of litigation. Rotman earned her J.D., with honors, from the Chicago-Kent College of Law, and her B.A. from the University of Illinois-Champaign Urbana.
About Littler
Littler is the largest global employment and labor law practice, with more than 1,500 attorneys in over 80 offices worldwide. Littler represents management in all aspects of employment and labor law and serves as a single-source solution provider to the global employer community. Consistently recognized in the industry as a leading and innovative law practice, Littler has been litigating, mediating and negotiating some of the most influential employment law cases and labor contracts on record for over 75 years. Littler Global is the collective trade name for an international legal practice, the practicing member entities of which are separate and distinct professional firms.
