Rebecca L. Dobbs
Associate
Rebecca is an associate in the St. Charles office of SmithAmundsen and a member of the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group where she focuses her practice on employee benefit compliance, administration, and litigation. Rebecca also counsels and represents employers in various matters arising under Federal and State employment laws, including wage and hour claims and audits, discrimination and retaliation claims, as well as contract disputes. Rebecca is licensed to practice in the State of Illinois and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
During law school, Rebecca worked for Northern Illinois University’s General Counsel assisting with a variety of litigation matters including employment law issues such as discrimination, harassment claims, and union matters.
Prior to joining SmithAmundsen, Rebecca was an associate at another law firm and worked as a Human Resources Consultant. Her professional experience encompasses all areas of Human Resource Management, including 401(k) and other benefit auditing and administration, COBRA and HIPAA compliance, deferred compensation plans, writing and implementing company policies, recruiting, employee discipline and terminations, job descriptions and classifications, employee discrimination claims, ERISA fiduciary obligations, wage and hour claims and audits, labor and employee relations issues, as well as contract matters.
Northern Illinois University, B.S., 2000
Northern Illinois University College of Law, J.D., 2006, magna cum laude
Co-presenter,“Healthcare Reform from a Legislative and Litigation Perspective,” Illinois CPA Society, Chicago, IL, January 31, 2012.
Co-presenter,“Surviving the Union Trust Fund Audit:Developments and Strategies,” Fox Valley Associated General Contractors Seminar, Geneva, IL, January 19, 2012.
Presenter, "Welfare Plans-Are you Ready for an IRS Audit ?," SmithAmundsen LLC & Sikich LLP Seminar, Aurora, IL, October 26, 2011.
Co-presenter,"Central Illinois Healthcare Cost Containment Conference for Employers," Illinois Chamber of Commerce, October 5, 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.
Co-author, Illinois Chamber of Commerce’s Illinois Guide to Hiring and Firing, 2011.
Author, "Civil Unions in Illinois - What Does It Mean For Your Employee Benefit Plans?" Illinois Chamber of Commerce HR Advisory Blog, February 16, 2011.
Co-presenter, “Understanding the Impact of Health Care Reform,” Lorman Education Services Seminar, Elk Grove Village, IL, October 27, 2010.
Co-author, "Health Care Reform: How Does It Apply To You & Are You Ready?" NAMA In-Touch Quarterly, Fall 2010.
Presenter, "Highlights of Health Care Reform for Employers," SmithAmundsen Webinar, September 28, 2010.
Co-presenter, IBA Health Care Reform Webinar, July 22, 2010.
Co-presenter, "Health Care Reform: What It Means for Employers," Lorman Education Services Seminar, Naperville, IL, July 9, 2010.
Co-presenter, "Managing Medical Issues in the Workplace – Without Violating the Law," 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.
Co-presenter, “Health Care Reform: What This Means for You and Your Company,” Valley Industrial Association, Aurora, IL, April 8, 2010.
Presenter, "Are Your Employee Benefits & Practices Complying with the Latest Mandates?" Illinois Chamber of Commerce webinar, March 16, 2010.
Co-presenter, "Labor & Employment Law Forum," Valley Industrial Association, Aurora, IL, February 4, 2010.
Co-presenter, “Workplace Wellness: Helping Employers Manage Costs as Congress “Reforms” Healthcare,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, December 10, 2009.
Co-author, "Genetic Information Nondiscrimination – Is Your Business Ready?" Illinois Chamber of Commerce HR Advisory Blog, November 25, 2009.
Presenter, "Manage the Risk of Employee Benefits: What Every Employer MUST Do," Illinois Chamber of Commerce webinar, November 12, 2009.
Co-author, "Divorced Employees and the Perils of Benefit Plan Designation," Illinois Chamber of Commerce HR Advisory Blog, November 10, 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.
Author, “Did Someone Mention Lilly Ledbetter: U.S. Supreme Court Provides Insight on the Lilly Ledbetter Act in a Pension Case,” IDC Quarterly, Volume 19, Number 3, Third Quarter, 2009.
Co-presenter, "The Ticking Time Bomb: Benefit Plan Compliance & Administration," Illinois Chamber of Commerce, June 18, 2009.
Contributing Author, “Illinois Employment Legal Forms,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, 2009
Contributing Author, “Model Employee Policies for Illinois Employers,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
Contributing Author, “The Employment Law Handbook,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, 2007.
Contributing Author, “Legal Rights Manual,” Associated Builders and Contractors of Illinois, 2007
Rebecca has also had notable speaking engagements at the following organizations: Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Kane County Bar Association; Lorman Education Services; Society of Human Resource Management; Valley Industrial Association; and DuPage Association of Health Underwriters.
Member: American Bar Association; Kane County Bar Association; Illinois State Bar Association; Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel; DuPage Association of Health Underwriters; and National Society of Human Resource Management.
Chapter Legislative Director: Illinois Fox Valley Society of Human Resource Management.
3815 East Main Street
St. Charles, IL 60174
630.587.7928 (telephone)
630.587.7903 (fax)
rdobbs@salawus.com
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