Chicago Employment & Labor Law Attorney

Every time you report to work, your rights should follow you through the door. The wages you earn, the reasonable accommodations you require, and the fair treatment you deserve from a supervisor are all legal protections built into both federal and state law. They aren’t optional courtesies.

If an employer violates any of these protections, the impacts can be far-reaching. Employment and labor law provides a path back to a fair workplace, whether that means securing the accommodation you need or holding an employer accountable for discrimination.

The Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline

Since 1999, the Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline has represented working people throughout the Chicago area. Mitchell Kline built his career on employee advocacy long before opening his own practice, serving as an administrative law judge at the Illinois Human Rights Commission and as a staff attorney at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. That background shapes how his firm operates today. He brings to every case he works on a deep understanding of how employment cases unfold from the inside out and a firm commitment to the workers who bring them.

Who We Serve

Employment problems rarely arrive with a clear label. Here are some of the situations we regularly help employees work through:

• You need time off or a workplace change and fear retaliation. Whether it’s a medical condition, disability, pregnancy, religious need, or family health situation, you should not have to choose between your health and your job security.
• Your accommodation request has gone nowhere. You explained your limitation and asked for a reasonable change, but weeks have passed with no real decision, leaving you to work without support or sit off the schedule.
• You were passed over unfairly. A protected trait, whether age, disability, race, gender, pregnancy, or another characteristic, may have influenced a hiring decision, promotion, assignment, schedule, or chance to advance.
• You were fired for something others have gotten away with. Whether it’s a mistake, attendance issue, disagreement, performance problem, or policy violation, you’ve seen coworkers of another race or background do the same things, and they were simply warned, coached, or otherwise allowed to keep their jobs.

If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone, and you do not have to sort it out by yourself.

Understanding Your Rights and the Path Forward

The Laws That Protect You

Several federal laws form the backbone of workplace protection for employees:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 guarantees your right to a workplace free from discrimination based on protected characteristics.
• The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 entitles eligible employees to up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family and medical needs, with the right to return to the same or an equivalent position.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 protects your right to request reasonable accommodations that allow you to perform your job despite a disability.
• The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 guarantees at least the federal minimum wage for up to 40 hours of work per week and one-and-one-half times your regular rate for overtime hours.

In Illinois, at-will employment is the standard, which means employers can end employment for any legal reason. However, limits exist. For example, you can’t legally be fired for discriminatory reasons, for taking protected leave, for requesting a reasonable accommodation, or for exercising a legal right such as reporting unsafe conditions or refusing to break the law.

How the Process Works

1. Free Initial Consultation: You share what happened. Mitchell Kline listens, asks questions, and helps you understand whether your situation involves a protected right.
2. Case Evaluation: Attorney Kline reviews the details, documentation, and timeline to determine the strongest legal path for your circumstances.
3. Strategy and Action: Whether the goal is negotiating a resolution, filing a complaint with the appropriate agency, or pursuing litigation, you will know your options and what to expect at each stage.
4. Resolution: The firm works toward the outcome that best serves you, whether that is a settlement, a policy change, or a favorable result in court.

Strict deadlines apply to many employment claims, and the documentation you gather early can shape the entire case. Reaching out sooner rather than later protects your options.

Why Choose the Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline?

• Almost  30 Years of Employment Law Experience: Decades representing employees translate into a proven understanding of how to protect workers’ rights.
• No Upfront Fees: Many employment cases are handled on a contingency basis, so you do not pay unless the firm recovers compensation for you.
• Proven Results in Complex Cases: From discrimination and harassment to wrongful termination and wage disputes, Mitchell Kline has managed a wide range of employment matters.
• Personalized Attention: The strategy is tailored for each specific case, built around your situation and goals.
• Responsive Communication: You will not be left wondering what’s happening with your case. Questions get answered, and updates come promptly.
• Strong Reputation: Mitchell Kline holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is trusted by clients and peers throughout the Chicago legal community.

Protect What You’ve Earned

The cost of keeping your job should never be unfair treatment or ignored accommodation requests, and you should never have to face wrongful termination alone. The Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline has spent almost 30 years standing beside employees and former employees throughout Chicago when their rights were on the line. Schedule your free consultation today and find out what your options look like.

FAQs About Employment Law in Illinois