Practice Contacts
Our government regulation, audit and compliance practice continues to be on the cutting edge of regulatory developments and audit trends throughout the United States. We understand the need for insightful and experienced counsel ready to assist employers in navigating the ever-changing maze that is local, state and federal government regulatory oversight administered through the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, the National Labor Relations Board, OSHA, and various local and state equivalent agencies. We are particularly adept in aggressively yet responsibly interacting with government auditors and compliance personnel with regard to the plethora of workplace regulations with the objective of achieving effective closure and resolution for our clients.
Our practitioners are committed to four general areas of concentration:
- Education, Consultation & Compliance Training
- Government Audit & Investigation Representation
- Assessment & Conciliation
- Litigation
EDUCATION, CONSULTATION & COMPLIANCE TRAINING
Our primary focus is to educate clients on compliance initiatives with the intent of preventing problems altogether. This education takes many forms, including specific on-site training on how and what to develop, maintain, and secure to showcase necessary regulatory compliance like affirmative action. Much of what we do is help clients separate fact from the fiction (and there's unfortunately entirely too much fiction).
Due to our firm's substantial experience mediating and litigating government audit disputes and controversies, and given our truly unique insight into the "internal policies" of many government agencies in the interpretation of key laws, we are strategically positioned to provide clients the road-map on how to avoid regulatory headaches.
Government Audit & Investigation Representation
We represent clients in thousands of government driven audits and related investigations. We work with clients in geographic areas throughout the United States involving government administration and enforcement of various workplace regulations and laws. We understand that it is in the audit stage of any controversy where clients have the best chance of successfully avoiding and resolving problems. We pride ourselves in knowing the applicable rule, law, policy, and facts better than the government auditor. Given our unmatched experience in such matters, we have developed highly elaborate yet efficient methods in defending clients during this critically important stage.
Assessment & Conciliation
We offer the experience necessary to customize solutions for clients when facing fines, penalties, interest, backpay, violations, and/or debarment from certain work. Because of our experience in handling such matters, we serve as trusted advisors to our clients and our clients know they will receive all available options including securing the best possible settlement under the circumstances. We have counseled far too many clients only after they have "settled" a dispute only to realize that they had other options that if pursued would have resulted in a far more valuable resolution. Although we prefer to be engaged with our client at the onset of any potential controversy, we are often engaged to enter the picture late in the game. We are poised to take on any matter, anytime --- with the experience and insight to provide clients with all available alternatives and options designed to end the drama, heartache, and sleepless nights.
Litigation
For the volume of matters we handle, we surprisingly seldom have to engage the government or interested third parties in formal litigation. However, at times a lawsuit simply is unavoidable. When necessary, we develop a thorough litigation plan with a resolution objective. Be assured that we are fully prepared to litigate any matter through administrative hearing, trial and appellate review.
News & Press Releases
- Business Insider, January 21, 2021
- February 24, 2020
- February 24, 2020
- Cook County Record, October 21, 2019
- Cook County Record, November 8, 2018
- Crain's Chicago Business, October 25, 2018
- Law360, May 28, 2018
- Illinois Business Leader Magazine, March 7, 2018
- November 17, 2017
- October 27, 2017
- Northwest Herald, September 27, 2017
- Crain's Chicago Business, September 15, 2017
- Equality Illinois, August 1, 2017
- Chicago Tribune; Chicago Sun Times, March 5, 2017
- Los Angeles Times, January 24, 2017
- SmithAmundsen, January 13, 2017
- Chicago Tribune , January 3, 2017
- October 2016
- Crain's Chicago Business, September 10, 2016
- August 15, 2016
- The American Lawyer, August 2016
- Equality Illinois, July 8, 2016
- Above the Law, April 18, 2016
- Above the Law, April 13, 2016
- PBS NewsHour, December 25, 2014
Alerts
- February 23, 2021
- December 22, 2020
- December 22, 2020
- December 16, 2020
- December 3, 2020
- November 12, 2020
- October 26, 2020
- September 14, 2020
- September 10, 2020
- August 31, 2020
- July 24, 2020
- July 2, 2020
- July 1, 2020
- June 23, 2020
- May 27, 2020
- May 26, 2020
- May 18, 2020
- May 18, 2020
- May 14, 2020
- May 14, 2020
- May 11, 2020
- May 8, 2020
- May 5, 2020
- May 5, 2020
- April 30, 2020
- April 28, 2020
- April 28, 2020
- April 23, 2020
- April 22, 2020
- April 17, 2020
- April 17, 2020
- April 13, 2020
- April 10, 2020
- April 7, 2020
- April 6, 2020
- April 4, 2020
- April 3, 2020
- April 1, 2020
- March 31, 2020
- March 31, 2020
- March 30, 2020
- March 30, 2020
- March 27, 2020
- March 27, 2020
- March 27, 2020
- March 26, 2020
- March 25, 2020
- March 24, 2020
- March 24, 2020
- March 24, 2020
- March 24, 2020
- March 23, 2020
- March 22, 2020
- March 20, 2020
- March 20, 2020
- March 19, 2020
- March 18, 2020
- March 15, 2020
- May 23, 2018
- March 15, 2017
- March 3, 2017
- February 16, 2017
- November 16, 2016
- June 24, 2016
- May 18, 2016
- April 25, 2016
Publications
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, March 2021
- USLAW Magazine, March 16, 2021
- Illinois Business Leader Magazine, September 2020
- USLAW Magazine, March 25, 2020
- Chamber Dispatch, February 20, 2020
- Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2020
- USLAW Magazine, January 14, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, 2019
- The Newsletter of the Illinois State Bar Association's Section on Local Government Law, September 2018
- NAMA InTouch Magazine, Fall 2017
- Illinois State Bar Association Diversity Matters Newsletter , June 2017
- Illinois State Bar Association Diversity Matters Newsletter , June 2017
- USLAW Magazine, Spring 2017
- NAMA's InTouch, Winter 2017
- The Growth Company's Human Resources Newsletter, Fall 2016
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, 2016
Presentations & Events
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Naperville, IL, May 5, 2021
- Connor & Gallagher OneSource, Webcast, April 29, 2021
- SmithAmundsen, Webcast, April 29, 2021
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Rolling Meadows, IL, April 29, 2021
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Naperville, IL, April 28, 2021
- Wisconsin Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, Webcast, April 26, 2021
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Rockford, IL, April 22, 2021
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Naperville, IL, April 21, 2021
- Mid-West Truckers Association, Inc., Webcast, April 12, 2021
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, March 23, 2021
- SmithAmundsen, Webcast, March 23, 2021
- Chicago Association of Spring Manufacturers, Inc., Dinner Meeting; Oak Brook, IL, March 18, 2021
- Lorman Education Services, Webcast, March 18, 2021
- SmithAmundsen, Webcast, March 17, 2021
- Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, March 10, 2021
- Illinois Landscape Contactors Association, Webcast, March 3, 2021
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, March 2, 2021
- Illinois Lumber and Material Dealers Association; Webcast, February 25, 2021
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, February 23, 2021
- Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Webcast, February 16, 2021
- Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce; Crystal Lake, IL, February 11, 2021
- Illinois Association Chamber of Commerce Executives, Webcast, February 11, 2021
- AssuredPartners, Webcast, February 10, 2021
- Berwyn Development Corporation, Webcast, February 2, 2021
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Webcast, January 28, 2021
- Employee Benefits Association of Northern Illinois, Webcast, January 27, 2021
- Lorman Education Services, Webcast, January 19, 2021
- Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, January 13, 2021
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, December 16, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, December 4, 2020
- 36th Annual Illinois Public Sector Labor Relations Law Conference, Webcast, December 4, 2020
- Associated Builders and Contractors’ Legal and Policy Forecast Conference; Webcast, December 3, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, December 2, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, November 18, 2020
- Waubonsee Community College, Webcast, November 11, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, November 10, 2020
- Lorman Education Services, Webcast, November 3, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Decatur, IL, October 29, 2020
- SmithAmundsen, Webcast, October 29, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, October 28, 2020
- SmithAmundsen, Webcast, October 22, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, October 21, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, October 21, 2020
- Chicago Healthcare Risk Management Society, Webcast, October 15, 2020
- Hot Topics in Contemporary Labor Relations Law Virtual Conference; Chicago, IL, October 15, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, October 13, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, October 9, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, October 8, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, October 6, 2020
- Chicago Healthcare Risk Management Society, Webcast, September 24, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Marion, IL, September 16, 2020
- Clear Law Institute, Webcast, September 16, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, September 15, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, September 10, 2020
- Finishing Contractors Association of Illinois, Webcast, September 1, 2020
- Lorman Education Services, Webcast, August 27, 2020
- Lorman, Webcast, August 20, 2020
- SmithAmundsen, Webcast, August 19, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, August 17, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Gurnee, IL 60031, August 12, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Naperville, IL 60563, August 11, 2020
- Professional Women's Club of Chicago, Zoom, July 22, 2020
- USLAW Network, Webcast, July 16, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Peoria, IL 601611, July 9, 2020
- Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, June 11, 2020
- SmithAmundsen, Webcast, May 27, 2020
- National Automatic Merchandising Association, Webcast, May 21, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, May 21, 2020
- National Automatic Merchandising Association, Webcast, May 19, 2020
- The Chamber of Manitowoc County; Webcast, May 19, 2020
- Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, May 8, 2020
- National Automatic Merchandising Association, Seminar; Nashville, TN, May 7, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, May 7, 2020
- Lorman Education Services, Webcast, May 1, 2020
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, April 30, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, April 29, 2020
- IRA and SmithAmundsen, Webcast, April 22, 2020
- Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, April 15, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webinar, April 9, 2020
- Associated Builders and Contractors of Illinois, Webcast, April 9, 2020
- Clear Law Institute, Webcast, April 6, 2020
- American Bus Association & USLAW Network, Webcast, April 3, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Edwardsville, IL, March 31, 2020
- Launchways, Webcast, March 30, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, March 26, 2020
- The Horton Group, Webcast, March 24, 2020
- Clear Law Institute, Webcast, March 24, 2020
- Launchways, Webcast, March 20, 2020
- The Horton Group, Webcast, March 20, 2020
- Presented by SmithAmundsen COVID-19 Task Force, March 18, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Rock Island, IL, March 5, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, March 3, 2020
- Elgin Area Chamber, Seminar; Elgin, IL, February 26, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Glen Ellyn, IL, February 19, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, February 18, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, February 14, 2020
- Valley Industrial Association (VIA); Geneva, IL, February 12, 2020
- Yorkville, Plano, and Sandwich Chambers of Commerce, Seminar; Yorkville, IL, February 6, 2020
- Finishing Contractors Association of Illinois, Seminar; Peoria, IL, February 6, 2020
- Illinois Lumber and Material Dealers Association, Seminar; East Peoria, IL, February 6, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Naperville, IL, February 5, 2020
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webcast, January 9, 2020
- Lorman Education Services; Webcast, 2019
- The Harvard Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Seminar; Harvard, IL, December 13, 2019
- Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Crystal Lake, IL, December 12, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Effingham, IL, December 12, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Effingham, IL, December 12, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Glen Ellyn, IL, December 11, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Webinar, November 14, 2019
- November 12, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Decatur, IL 62521, October 16, 2019
- Corkill Insurance Agency, Webinar, October 10, 2019
- SmithAmundsen; Lombard, IL, September 25, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Chicago, IL 60606, September 19, 2019
- Lorman Education Services; Webinar, September 18, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Peoria, IL, September 12, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Webinar, September 11, 2019
- SmithAmundsen, Webinar, August 21, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Glen Ellyn, IL, August 20, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Webinar, August 6, 2019
- Webinar; Illinois Chamber of Commerce, July 25, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Webinar, July 23, 2019
- SmithAmundsen, Webinar, July 18, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Naperville, IL, July 11, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webinar, June 27, 2019
- Major Changes to Illinois Employment Laws: New Mandatory Sexual Harassment Training & Other MandatesIllinois Chamber of Commerce, Webinar, June 20, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webinar, June 12, 2019
- Chicago, IL; Chicago-Kent College of Law, June 4, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webinar, May 23, 2019
- Finishing Contractors Association of Illinois (FCAI), Webinar, May 7, 2019
- Lorman Education Services; Webinar, May 3, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webinar, April 18, 2019
- Illinois Fox Valley SHRM; Elgin, IL, April 18, 2019
- SmithAmundsen, Webinar, April 17, 2019
- National Business Institute, Seminar; Naperville, IL, April 8, 2019
- National Business Institute; Seminar, April 8, 2019
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; St. Charles, IL, April 4, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webinar, April 4, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Chicago, IL, April 3, 2019
- Lorman Education Services; Webinar, March 26, 2019
- VIA Education Center, Geneva, IL; Valley Industrial Association, March 20, 2019
- Clear Law Institute, Webinar, March 13, 2019
- Aurora Chamber Offices, Seminar; Aurora, IL, March 12, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webinar, February 26, 2019
- Lorman Education Services, Seminar; Chicago, IL, February 21, 2019
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webinar, February 19, 2019
- National Business Institute, Seminar; Naperville, IL, February 13, 2019
- SmithAmundsen, Chicago, IL; Webinar, February 7, 2019
- aSweatLife, Workshop; Chicago, IL, January 25, 2019
- Lorman Education Services; Webinar, January 16, 2019
- Lorman Education Services, Webinar, January 11, 2019
- Lorman Education Services; Webinar, January 9, 2019
- Clear Law Institute, Webinar, December 18, 2018
- Lorman Education Services, Webinar, December 10, 2018
- Lorman Education Services, Webinar, November 29, 2018
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Conference; Lisle, IL, November 28, 2018
- Clear Law Institute, Webinar, November 20, 2018
- Illinois Public Employer Labor Relations Association (IPELRA) Conference; Galena, IL, October 23, 2018
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Glen Ellyn, IL, September 27, 2018
- GRC Educators, Webinar, September 25, 2018
- SmithAmundsen, Milwaukee, WI; Webinar, September 12, 2018
- Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers, Inc., Webinar, July 30, 2018
- Lorman Education Services; Webinar, July 25, 2018
- Clear Law Institute, Webinar, July 17, 2018
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webinar, July 12, 2018
- SmithAmundsen, Webinar, July 9, 2018
- SmithAmundsen Seminar, Chicago, IL; Webinar, June 13, 2018
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Glen Ellyn, IL, June 7, 2018
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Webinar, May 24, 2018
- Clear Law Institute, Webinar, April 17, 2018
- Illinois SHRM Legislative Conference; Springfield, IL, April 17, 2018
- National Automatic Merchandising Association Annual Expo; Las Vegas, NV, March 21, 2018
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Glen Ellyn, IL, February 27, 2018
- Lorman Education Services; Webinar, February 26, 2018
- SmithAmundsen Seminar, Chicago, IL; Webinar, February 21, 2018
- National Automatic Merchandising Association; Webinar, January 30, 2018
- SmithAmundsen Seminar; Lombard, IL, January 17, 2018
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Seminar; Lisle, IL, November 29, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Webinar, November 15, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Chicago, IL, October 24, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Seminar; Naperville, IL, October 17, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Webinar, October 17, 2017
- Illinois Municipal League Annual Conference; Chicago, IL, September 22, 2017
- Arizona Automatic Merchandising Council & California Automatic Vendors Council Annual Meeting; San Diego, CA, September 21, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Seminar; Glen Ellyn, IL, September 21, 2017
- Illinois Municipal League Annual Conference; Chicago, IL, September 21, 2017
- SmithAmundsen Seminar; Lombard, IL, September 13, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Edwardsville, IL, August 29, 2017
- Illinois CPA Society Midwest Accounting & Finance Showcase; Rosemont, IL, August 29, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Tinley Park, IL, July 27, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Webinar, July 25, 2017
- Clear Law Institute; Webinar, July 19, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Springfield, IL, July 19, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commece; Effingham, IL, July 13, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Webinar, July 12, 2017
- Illinois Bankers Association; Nashville, TN, June 23, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Chicago, IL, June 20, 2017
- Illinois Restaurant Association; Chicago, IL, May 31, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Naperville, IL, May 18, 2017
- SmithAmundsen, Seminar; Chicago, IL, May 11, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Naperville, IL, April 27, 2017
- SmithAmundsen, Webinar, April 19, 2017
- National Automatic Merchandising Association's OneShow; Las Vegas, NV, April 19, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Webinar, March 8, 2017
- SmithAmundsen, Seminar; Chicago, IL, February 16, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Chicago, IL, February 2, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Webinar, January 31, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar; Peoria, IL, January 26, 2017
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Webinar, December 15, 2016
- Clear Law Institute; Webinar, December 7, 2016
- National Business Institute, Seminar; Chicago, IL, December 5, 2016
- Chicago-Kent College of Law, Conference; Chicago, IL, December 2, 2016
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Seminar, November 30, 2016
- National Automatic Merchandising Association, Webinar, November 15, 2016
- SmithAmundsen Chicago, IL; Webinar, November 10, 2016
- National Automatic Merchandising Association, Webinar, July 27, 2016
- St. Charles Chamber of Commerce; St. Charles, IL, July 13, 2016
- SmithAmundsen, Webinar, June 22, 2016
- SmithAmundsen, Webinar, June 2, 2016
- Chicago Bar Association, Chicago, IL, May 25, 2016