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.
Executive Employment Agreement
Absolute pleasure, exceptionally professional and personable, very relevant experience for my needed decision support.
Executive Compensation Plan
Lori Deem is an outstanding attorney. I have worked with her on two different situations (negotiating an exit package from my former employer and reviewing an executive compensation package for a new CEO role). She is extremely knowledgeable and responsive and I have already referred her to 3 other people in similar situations in the last month. I would strongly recommend Lori Deem.
Workplace harassment and sexual discrimination
Lori took my call when her schedule was packed. Not only did she initially speak to me on a non-billable basis, but despite her busy schedule, she listened wholeheartedly. I felt heard and supported throughout months of discourse and negotiation. More than anything, Lori was tenacious in defending my interests, and she encouraged me to continue when I doubted that my experiences warranted legal recourse. She had the utmost patience and grace from the beginning of our process until the end. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I was elated to have such a strong, brilliant woman representing me in my time of need. Lori is irreplaceable. Although I do not wish for anyone to encounter the obstacles I have, it is my hope that whomever is in need has Lori on his/ her side. I am certain that if they do, Lori will treat them with the dignity, respect, and compassion that has led me to trust her with my livelihood.
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)
English
