Ashley Laken

Ashley K. Laken is an associate in the Chicago office and a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment department. Ms. Laken’s practice focuses on labor relations law as well as defending employers against age, race, national origin, sex, and disability discrimination claims. Ms. Laken represents clients in many industries, including hospitality, publishing, broadcast, media, manufacturing, retail, and transportation.

Ms. Laken has experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements and representing employers in arbitrations arising under such agreements. She also represents clients in unfair labor practice proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board, she litigates on behalf of employers in state and federal courts, and she represents employers before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

Ms. Laken also provides clients with legal and practical advice on a wide spectrum of labor relations issues, including corporate campaigns and traditional organizing campaigns. Ms. Laken’s counseling experience also includes advising employers on handling employee complaints and grievances, conducting internal investigations, managing employee performance, fostering positive employee relations, and drafting and implementing policy changes.

Ms. Laken’s experience also includes defending companies involved in complex employment discrimination litigation under Title VII, Section 1981, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.  She also has experience defending employers against class and collective action claims arising under state wage-and-hour laws and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Education:

• J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, magna cum laude (May 2009)
  • American Criminal Law Review
• B.S.B.A.., Georgetown University, magna cum laude (May 2006)
  • Alpha Mu Alpha Honor Society
  • Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society