Jeffrey A. Risch

Partner

Jeffrey serves as Chair of SmithAmundsen's Labor and Employment Practice Group. Through years of both in-house and private practice experience, he has gained extensive knowledge as a management-side labor and employment attorney.  A seasoned litigator, Jeffrey has represented employers in local, state and federal courts and administrative agencies throughout the United States. He has also taken several cases successfully through the appellate process.  Jeffrey concentrates his practice on assisting employers with the purpose of providing them the most efficient avenue to effectively manage.  His business acumen is second to none; with a keen recognition of a client’s ‘bottom line.’

Jeffrey's practice is particularly focused on representing employers in discrimination and retaliation claims as well as matters involving employee wage and hour controversies with a major emphasis on prevailing wage and FLSA disputes. He also represents clients involving the FMLA, ERISA, the ADA, OSHA matters, contract disputes (with a particular emphasis on non-compete agreements and unfair competition), independent contractor, and contingent workforce issues as well as traditional labor law matters (concentrating primarily in countering various union tactics). 

Prior to joining SmithAmundsen, Jeffrey was an equity partner for a Midwest based labor & employment boutique firm, and a litigation associate for a prominent Tulsa, Oklahoma firm. Jeffrey also obtained substantial experience as in-house counsel for a leading industrial equipment distributor and service provider. Jeffrey’s in-house personnel initiatives garnered national attention from the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association.

Illinois State University, B.S., 1994

University of Tulsa College of Law, J.D., 1998, highest honors

Jeffrey’s intimate knowledge of cutting-edge labor and employment law developments has afforded him the opportunity to collaborate with various groups, associations, and media outlets including the Associated Builders & Contractors, the Builders Association, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, Lorman Education Services, the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, the Valley Industrial Association, Fox News Chicago, Motorage Magazine, CNNMoney.com, Midwest Truckers Association, the Illinois Bankers Association, Construction Executive Magazine, and multiple professional human resource associations.

Contributing Author, Illinois Chamber of Commerce's HR Advisory Blog

Co-presenter, "Employment Law Update in Illinois," Lorman Education Services, Naperville, IL, March 30, 2012.

Presenter, “Managing Employees in Light of Developing Reforms and Regulation,” Illinois Bankers Association Conference, Springfield, IL, March 8, 2012.

Presenter, “Performing Public Work in Illinois,” Illinois Association of Groundwater Professionals Annual Meeting and Expo, East Peoria, IL, February 10, 2012.

Co-presenter, "Performing Public Construction Work in Illinois-The Latest on Prevailing Wage, Responsible Bidder & Project Labor Agreements," Illinois Chamber of Commerce webinar, February 9, 2012.

Presenter, “Employee Management Policies,” 9th Annual On-Site Wastewater Professionals of Illinois, Collinsville, IL February 8, 2012.

Presenter, “Changes in the New Year: Is Your Business Ready to Defend Discrimination Charges?” Illinois Chamber of Commerce webinar, January 20, 2012.

Featured Professional, “The Bulldog,” Illinois Landscape Contractors Association Magazine, December 2011.

Presenter, “Unemployment Insurance- Identifying and Addressing Issues,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce Unemployment Insurance Symposium, Willowbrook, IL, December 6, 2011.

Presenter, “Implementing & Updating Comprehensive Workplace Drug Testing,” Valley Industrial Association seminar, Aurora, IL, November 29, 2011.

Co-presenter, "Affirmative Action Plans Under Attack: Is Your Plan Ready?" Illinois Chamber of Commerce webinar, November 17, 2011.

Co-presenter,"Meal Periods, Rest Periods and Breaks in Illinois: How to Do It Right," Illinois Chamber of Commerce webinar, November 2, 2011.

Presenter, "2012 Illinois Prevailing Wage Law Changes: A Comprehensive Update," Associated Builders and Contractors -Illinois Chapter webinar, October 28, 2011. 

Co-presenter,"IRS Form 1099 Reporting: What You Need to Know," Lorman Education Services, Elk Grove Village, IL, October 27, 2011.

Co-presenter, "What is the NLRB Up to Now?," Human Resources & Employers Network Fall Luncheon, Aurora, IL, October 21, 2011.

Co-presenter, "IRS Form 1099 Reporting: What You Need to Know," Lorman Education Services, Naperville, IL, October 20, 2011.

Presenter,"Identifying and Preventing Wage and Hour Problems," Rockford Area SHRM Annual Conference, Rockford, IL, October 18, 2011. 
 

Co-presenter,"Central Illinois Healthcare Cost Containment Conference for Employers," Illinois Chamber of Commerce, East Peoria, IL, October 5, 2011.

Co-presenter, "A Deep Dive Into the World of Workers' Compensation," Assurance Agency seminar, Rolling Meadows, IL, September 28, 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presenter, "Labor and Employment Law Trends and Updates," Sikich LLP seminar, Aurora, IL, September 7, 2011.

Presenter, "FMLA Forms Made Simple and Easy," Illinois Chamber of Commerce webinar, August 25, 2011.

Co-presenter, "EFCA Is On the Comeback Through Obama's U.S. DOL & NLRB! What it Means and How Employers Can Respond," Valley Industrial Association seminar, Aurora, IL, August 19, 2011.

Presenter, "Mistakes Employers Make in Dealing with Medical Issues in the Workplace," Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Naperville, IL, August 10, 2011.

Presenter, "Labor and Employment Law Trends and Updates," Sikich LLP seminar, Aurora, IL, June 15, 2011.

Co-author, "The NLRB's Agenda Directed at the Non-Union Workforce," USLAW magazine, Spring/Summer 2011.

Presenter, "One Stop Shopping for Labor Answers," The Builder's Association, Rosemont, IL, April 20, 2011.

Moderator, "Prevailing Wage Law," Lorman Education Services, Naperville, IL, April 13, 2011.

Presenter, "Employment Law from A-Z," Lorman Education Services, Naperville, IL, March 23, 2011; Rockford, IL, May 13, 2011.

Presenter, "Top 5 Legal Pitfalls Non-Union Contractors Make Every Year," Associated Builders & Contractors of Illinois - 2011 Speaking Tour, Decatur, IL, March 10, 2011; Elk Grove Village, IL, March 24, 2011; Peoria, IL, March 29, 2011; Effingham, IL, March 31, 2011; Springfield, IL, April 5, 2011; Quincy, IL, April 7, 2011.

Co-presenter, "Workers' Compensation in Today's Economy," Dreyer Occupational Health Services, Aurora, IL, April 7, 2011.

Presenter, "Legal Updates/Developments," Valley Industrial Association, Batavia, IL, March 9, 2011.

Presenter, "Hiring & Firing: Practical and Effective Guidance for the HR Professional," Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Willowbrook, IL, February 23, 2011; Springfield, IL, March 2, 2011.

Speaker, Illinois Association of Groundwater Professionals Annual Expo & Meeting, East Peoria, IL, February 11, 2011.

Co-author, Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s Illinois Guide to Hiring and Firing, 2011.

Speaker, "Unemployment Insurance: Assessing and Responding to Claims for U.I. Benefits," Lorman Education Services, Chicago, IL, January 28, 2011.

Speaker, "Unemployment Insurance 101," Lorman Education Services, Naperville, IL, January 21, 2011.

Speaker, "Improving Personnel Policies: Critical Updates, Revisions and Developments for 2011," Illinois Fox Valley SHRM Seminar, Elgin, IL, January 20, 2011.

Speaker, "Securing Public Work Projects in Illinois: What every merit contractor must know!" SmithAmundsen and Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. of Illinois Free Webinar, December 15, 2010.

Presenter, “Unemployment Insurance "101" - Assessing and Responding to Unemployment Claims," SmithAmundsen and Illinois Chamber of Commerce Seminar, Willowbrook, IL, December, 8, 2010.  

Presenter, "Drug Free Conference," Valley Industrial Association, Aurora, IL, November 9, 2010.

Co-presenter, “Understanding the Impact of Health Care Reform,” Lorman Education Services Seminar, Elk Grove Village, IL, October 27, 2010.

Presenter, "Understanding Current Changes in Employment Law," Provena Occupational Health and St. Joseph Hospital Seminar, Elgin, IL, October 6, 2010.  

Presenter, "How to Write an Employee Handbook," St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Business in Action Breakfast Seminar, St. Charles, IL, September 22, 2010.

Presenter, “Expansion of Government Regulations: What It Means for the Workplace,” and “Labor’s Agenda for 2011: What HR Should Anticipate and Be Ready For,” Rockford Society for Human Resource Management‘s Annual Conference, September 21, 2010.

 

Appearance, WFLD-TV Fox News Chicago, "Some Illinois Small Business Owners Must Pay Themselves More or Risk Shutting Down," Thursday, September 16, 2010.

Speaker, "Key Labor & Employment Developments Every HR Person Should Know," Valley Human Resource Association Breakfast Seminar, Batavia, IL, September 8, 2010.

 

Appearance, WFLD-TV Fox News Chicago, Prospective Employee Credit Checks, Thursday, July 29, 2010.

Co-presenter, "Health Care Reform: What It Means for Employers," Lorman Education Services Seminar, Naperville, IL, July 9, 2010.

Presenter, "Wage Hour Revolution: Is Your Business Ready?" Illinois Chamber of Commerce Seminar, June 29, 2010 (Chicago, IL) and July 8, 2010 (Springfield, IL).

Speaker, "Navigating Workers’ Compensation in a Struggling Economy," Northwest Community Hospital, June 16, 2010.

Presenter, “Drug Testing: How You CAN Lawfully Discriminate!” Illinois Chamber of Commerce Webinar, May 18, 2010.

Presenter, "U.S. DOL Declares War on Mortgage Loan Originators: Is Your Bank Ready?" Illinois Bankers Association Webinar, May 12, 2010.

Panelist, "Workers' Compensation Solutions: A Panel of Experts Discuss the Issues," Dreyer Occupational Health Services' Seminar, Aurora, IL, May 12, 2010.

Author and Contributor, "Conducting the Employment Practices Audit," Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, May 11, 2010.

Presenter, "Securing Public Works in Illinois: Beyond the Basics," Associated Builders and Contractors of Illinois Webinar, May 7, 2010.

Presenter, “Combating Workers’ Comp Through Drug Testing,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce Webinar, May 5, 2010.

Presenter, "Prescription Drug Abuse, the Legal Ramifications, Your Health Insurance & How to Lower Your Costs," 2010 Illinois Chamber of Commerce Employer Healthcare Conference, April 22, 2010.

Co-presenter, "Is Your Benefits Plan a Ticking Time Bomb?” 2010 Illinois Chamber of Commerce Employer Healthcare Conference, April 22, 2010.

Moderator, "Prevailing Wage Law in Illinois," Lorman Education Seminars, Naperville, IL, April 13, 2010.

Speaker, "Current Labor & Employment Issues," Rockford Chamber of Commerce's Breakfast Buzz, April 14, 2010.

Presenter, "Wage/Hour 201 - Beyond the Basics," Illinois Chamber of Commerce Webinar, April 6, 2010.

Contributor, "Auditors Crack Down on 'Independent Contractors'," CNNMoney.com, March 29, 2010.

Presenter, "OSHA for Dummies: HR just got handed Corporate Safety - What Now?!?!" Illinois Chamber of Commerce webinar, March 25, 2010.

Presenter, "Prevailing Wage Law," Lorman Education Seminars, Hoffman Estates, IL, March 18, 2010.

Co-presenter, "Employee Abuse of Workers' Compensation, FMLA and Other So-Called Entitlements," Rockford Area Society of Human Resource Managers Luncheon Presentation, NIU Rockford, Rockford, IL, March 16, 2010.

Panelist, "What Safety Professionals Need in Manufacturing," Valley Industrial Association, March 4, 2010.

Presenter, "Navigating the Bermuda Triangle: FMLA, ADA, and Workers' Compensation Administration Compliance," Dreyer Occupational Health Services' seminar, Aurora, IL, March 3, 2010.

Co-presenter, "Managing Your Workers Comp Claims to Your Advantage!" Associated Builders & Contractors of Illinois webinar, February 12, 2010.

Presenter, "Dog Eat Dog... Protecting your Business Trade Secrets and Customer Relationships from the Competition," Illinois Chamber of Commerce webinar, February 11, 2010.

Presenter, "Employee Classification & Prevailing Wage Updates," Midwest Truckers Association Annual Convention, Peoria, IL, February 6, 2010.

Co-presenter "Labor & Employment Law Forum," Valley Industrial Association, Aurora, IL, February 4, 2010.

Presenter, "Prevailing Wage Law," Lorman Education Seminars, Chicago, IL, February 3, 2010.

Co-presenter, “Unemployment Insurance 101: Assessing and Responding to Claims for U.I. Benefits,” Lorman Education Seminars, January 22, 2010 (Naperville, IL) and October 21, 2009 (Hoffman Estates, IL). 

Contributor, "Educating Employees about Prevailing Wage Benefits," Construction Executive, December 2009.

Presenter, "Expansion of Illinois Prevailing Wage: Game, Set, Match!?!?," ABC of Illinois webinar, December 11, 2009 and October 2, 2009.

 

Co-presenter, “Workplace Wellness: Helping Employers Manage Costs as Congress “Reforms” Healthcare,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, December 10, 2009.

Presenter, "Implementing, Improving and Maintaining a Drug-Free Workplace in Today's Litigious Society," Valley Industrial Association, Aurora, IL, December 1, 2009.

Co-presenter, "Immigration and E-Verify Update 2010," Illinois Chamber of Commerce webinar, November 10, 2009.

Author, "Beware Construction Contractors," The Builder, a Builders Association publication, November 2009.

Contributor, "Under the Influence: Presentation Highlight Ways to Successfully Target Drug and Alcohol Use in the Workplace," The Builder, a Builders Association publication, November 2009.

Co-presenter, "Taking Control over Worker's Compensation Claims: Combat Fraud & Fight Claims," Valley Industrial Association, Aurora, IL, October 28, 2009.

Co-presenter, "Your Company: Limit Unnecessary and Financial and Liability Exposures in 2010," SmithAmundsen client seminar, Oak Brook, IL, October 27, 2009. 

Presenter, "Unemployment Insurance 101: Assessing and Responding to Claims for U.I. Benefits," Lorman Education Seminar, Hoffman Estates, IL, October 21, 2009.

Presenter, "How to Successfully Prepare for & Implement a Reduction in Force," Illinois Chamber of Commerce webinar, October 20, 2009.

Presenter, “The Attack on Independent Contractors: Ready or Not...Here It Comes!" Illinois Chamber of Commerce webinar, October 15, 2009.

Presenter, "So... What's up with EFCA — and Other Labor Law Developments," Illinois Chamber of Commerce webinar, October 8, 2009.

Presenter, "Big Labor's Agenda Advances Under Obama: A Report, Review & Update," Valley Industrial Association, September 24, 2009. 

Presenter, "How to Improve Your Employee Drug Testing Program— In a Union Environment," Illinois Chamber of Commerce webinar, September 1, 2009. 

Presenter, "Legislative Labor & Employment Update 2009: What's New & What's Coming," Illinois Chamber of Commerce, August 13, 2009.

Co-presenter, "The Ticking Time Bomb: Benefit Plan Compliance & Administration," Illinois Chamber of Commerce, June 18, 2009.

Presenter, "Countering Labor Organizing Tactics in 2009," Associated Builders & Contractors of Illinois, Quincy, IL, June 10, 2009.

Presenter, "Successfully Navigating the Bermuda Triangle: ADA, FMLA & Workers' Compensation," Illinois Chamber of Commerce Webinar, May 21, 2009.

Presenter, "Practical & Fundamental Strategies in Managing Employee Medical Issues," Provena Mercy Medical Center Occupational Health Services, May 14, 2009.

Presenter, “10 Ways to Manage the ‘Problem’ Employee,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, April 23, 2009.

Editor-in-Chief and Lead Author, “Illinois Employment Forms,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, 2009.

Editor-in-Chief and Lead Author, “Model Employee Policies for Illinois Employers,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, 2009.

Jeffrey has also had notable speaking engagements at the following organizations: Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Kane County Bar Association; Lorman Education Services; Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education; Associated Builders and Contractors; Midwest Truckers Association; SHRM; HRMA; and Valley Industrial Association.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2012 Illinois Super Lawyers© magazine list of “Rising Stars*” in Illinois.

Named one of Illinois’ Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, 2010. 

Member: Illinois State Bar Association; Oklahoma Bar Association; Kane County Bar Association; HR Illinois Advisory Board; and Valley Industrial Human Resource Association. 

Illinois Chamber of Commerce: Board of Directors; Chairman (Employment Law and Litigation Committee) and Chief Attorney (Drug Free Illinois Workplace Program).

Chapter Attorney: Associated Builders & Contractors of Illinois.
 

*The selection of attorneys to the Rising Stars list does not guarantee a positive client outcome in any specific legal matter or engagement nor constitute a representation by the firm of SmithAmundsen about the caliber of legal work performed by any other attorney not selected as part of these lists.

150 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601

312.894.3302 (Chicago) (telephone)
630.587.7437 (fax)
630.587.7922 (St. Charles) (mobile)

jrisch@salawus.com

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