Autumn Sharp Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Provide employment law advice and counsel to varied business clients for companies of all sizes and calibers, from multinational Fortune 500 companies to single member LLCs. Advise employers in compliance with the FMLA, FLSA, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, the Illinois Human Rights Act, and analogous state and local laws in multiple jurisdictions across the US. Successfully represents clients in employment-related litigation from case assessment through resolution, including trials, mediations, settlement negotiations, post-judgment proceedings, and appeals, before agencies and courts in jurisdictions across the nation. Counsel clients on day-to-day labor and employment law issues, keeping abreast of developments and changes in law to provide up-to-date advice to clients with regard to hiring, disciplinary action, and termination; wage, hour, and pay equity issues; appropriate maintenance of personnel files, including disciplinary records and confidential medical information; reasonable accommodations; and I-9 and work eligibility issues. Counsel clients in handling of claims and complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, including conducting internal investigations for clients. Respond to EEOC charges and analogous state human rights agency charges in several states for multiple Fortune 500 companies. Negotiate and draft employment and independent contractor agreements, including confidentiality, non-compete and non-solicitation provisions; negotiate and draft separation agreements. Advise clients in collective bargaining agreement negotiations, unfair labor practice charges and union decertification proceedings. Draft brokerage, exclusive supplier, and confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements for clients. Speaker on national and local equal pay laws, and diversity and inclusion in the workplace, at both local and national conferences.

Chicago, Il, Us

Started firm with six colleagues, bringing firm from “start-up” to US World News Best Small Firm status in 3 years. Practice focused on providing employment advice and counsel to employer clients. Counseled clients with regard to hiring and firing; wage and hour issues; and defense of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation claims. Drafted employee handbooks and OSHA handbooks, and revised in accordance with client needs and developing and changing applicable law. Successfully defended employer against workers’ compensation claim and related retaliation claim. Secured multimillion dollar verdicts for clients as first chair at trials.

Chicago, Il, Us

Successfully participated in all aspects of commercial litigation matters, including trials, arbitrations and mediations. Prosecuted and defended business litigation matters in state and federal courts including insurance coverage issues, director and officer liability and shareholder disputes, commercial contract and warranty disputes, trade secrets cases, patent infringement litigation, employment law, environmental law issues, mechanic’s lien disputes, and commercial mortgage foreclosure. Represented clients in trials and arbitration hearings, including second-chairing trials and negotiating favorable settlements for clients. Worked with clients to develop legal strategy and provide cost-effective options, and negotiated favorable settlements for clients.

Washington, D.C., Us

Participated in all aspects of litigation in franchise matters, products liability cases, state and federal securities law cases, and commercial contract matters, including representing clients in trials and administrative hearings.

Juris Doctor

Executive Certificate, Diversity And Inclusion

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Special Education

Education record