Lake County Employment Law Attorney

At S.T. Legal Group in Deerfield, we assist clients, both business owners and employees, in navigating legal issues concerning the workplace throughout Lake County, Illinois. Our principal attorney, Diana Servos, is well-versed in all aspects of employment law, both state and federal. Her commitment to providing excellent legal services is known throughout Chicago and the collar counties. 

Whether you are establishing or expanding a small to mid-sized business, looking to protect your interests as a new hire, facing an employment dispute that requires litigation, or are simply in need of carefully worded documents that will protect your rights during any future employment negotiations — Diana Servos is the right attorney for the job. 

She not only has the strong credentials and sharp skills to serve your best interests in and out of the courtroom but the personal concern in your well-being that inspires trust. 

Common Employment Issues in Lake County, Illinois

Because S.T. Legal Group is entirely focused on employment issues, you can depend on us to have in-depth knowledge of current local, state, or federal employment laws, as well as any recent court decisions. We will provide you with comprehensive legal counsel and representation in all employment matters, including:

  • Hiring process
  • Discipline and demotion
  • Discrimination and harassment
  • Noncompete and nondisclosure matters
  • Promotion and benefits
  • Wage and hour issues
  • Wrongful termination

In addition to creating, reviewing, and executing contracts and employment agreements, Diana (Tayor) Servos has significant trial experience and a successful track record of handling any employment issue that requires adept negotiations or vigorous litigation.

Agreements to Clarify and Protect Our Clients

Working under the principle that well-conceived and clearly stated agreements are beneficial to employees and employers alike, we make certain that the documents we craft for you cover all necessary details to offer you the best possible legal protection. 

  • Employment agreements specifically state terms and conditions of employment, including employees duties, hours, compensation, employment benefits, causes for disciplinary action or termination
  • Nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) designate precisely which company information is confidential (e.g. intellectual property, trade secrets, client lists). 
  • Noncompete agreements highlight exactly what restrictions are in place to prevent departing employees from taking positions with direct competitors or starting a competing business within a certain geographical area for a certain period of time
  • Severance agreements make clear all details surrounding termination of employment  

One of the advantages of having Diana Servos as your employment attorney is that she is a person of integrity. The documents she creates will be fair to both parties and therefore acceptable to each.

When Employment Disputes Arise in Lake County

Even with the best of intentions on all sides, employment disputes will arise and it is best to be prepared by having a first-rate employment attorney represent you if one are confronted by one of the following:

Wage and Hour Claims 

Wage and hour disputes may involve cases in which employers are accused of failing to pay minimum wage ($15 per hour in Illinois by 2025), miscalculating rates of pay, or failing to pay commissions or bonuses. In some situations, this may be the result of mistaken employee classification. 

All non-exempt employees, that is those who are not in administrative, executive or professional positions, are, according to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), entitled to overtime pay, so a misclassification of an employee can result in a paycheck that is considerably lower than it is supposed to be. Whether you are an employee whose rights have been violated in this way or an employer who has been falsely accused of denying a worker proper wages, S.T. Legal Group is ready to fight for you.

Employment Discrimination in Lake County

Recent years have brought an increase in both just and unfair charges of employment discrimination that, in addition to distressing involved parties, are disruptive to workplace flow and expensive in terms of legal costs.

If you have been discriminated against based on protected characteristics, such as age, race, color, national origin, sex, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, federal and state laws are on your side. On the other hand, if a disgruntled employee is accusing you of discrimination, you are owed a strong, unbiased defense. Fortunately, in either case, Diana Servos is on your side and will provide you with powerful defense against inequitable treatment.

Sexual Harassment

There are two basic ways that you can experience sexual harassment in your place of business: quid pro quo and hostile work environment. The first means that sexual favors are being demanded of you by a person in authority in exchange for hire, promotion, or another employment benefit, or to prevent adverse consequences. 

The second means that you are being subjected to unpleasant, demeaning, or threatening sexual comments, visual displays, or unwanted advances, making your workplace toxic. Once again, S.T. Legal is ready to protect you, whether you are the victim of sexual harassment or the person being falsely accused of the offense.

Wrongful Termination

No one wants to lose a job and, because Illinois is an “at-will” state in terms of employment, (meaning that a staff member may be terminated for any reason or no reason at all) you may feel that, as an employee, you have no protections. On the contrary, Diana Servos has a great deal of experience fighting for the rights of employees who have been terminated for illegal or discriminatory reasons or in breach of a written or implied contract. 

By the same token, however, she is well aware that some employees will try to turn anti-discrimination or anti-harassment laws to their advantage by claiming that they have been fired for illegal reasons when this is not the case. Whichever side of a wrongful termination suit you are on, S.T. Legal Group offers you the benefit of wise legal advice and aggressive representation.

Contact Us Today to Receive the Experienced Employment Representation You Deserve

No matter whether you are an employer or an employee, if you work in Lake County and have an employment problem that requires consultation and/or legal intervention, the sooner you contact S.T. Legal Group, the better off you’ll be. Being proactive can mean the difference between avoiding entanglements and court battles and can help to bring legal and emotional resolution before things get out of hand.

S.T. Legal Group represents employers and employees in Deerfield, Lake, and Cook Counties and throughout the state of Illinois.