Marc Jacobs

Since 1985, Marc R. Jacobs has represented employers throughout the United States regarding the full range of labor and employment related issues. His legal practice is premised on the ideas that an organization’s employees are its most important asset and good employee relations is good for business and good for the “bottom line.”

Mr. Jacobs regularly helps employers insulate themselves against liability and claims by counseling them through employment-related problems and situations; analyzing employers’ practices and procedures; negotiating and preparing employment, restrictive covenant, confidential information and severance agreements; writing employment policies and manuals; and conducting interactive supervisor training programs for clients. Mr. Jacobs represents client in numerous industries, including aviation, hospitality, parking services, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, and professional services.

He also has successfully represented employers in employment and labor disputes before state and federal courts (at both the trial and appellate levels), arbitrators, mediators, the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Labor, and similar agencies throughout the United States.

Among his significant accomplishments, Mr. Jacobs has:

• won a jury trial on behalf of a client in case where an in-house accountant alleged national origin discrimination and various SOX-related claims
• successfully defended a client in a whistleblower case alleging that the client terminated an employee because he filed complaints with the Federal Aviation Administration
• negotiated a mid-term modification of a collective bargaining agreement relating to a multi-employer pension plan, which paved the way for the sale of the client’s business
• defeated a union’s challenge to outsourcing and privatizing certain operations by a Chicago suburb

In addition, Mr. Jacobs successfully has tried cases before juries, judges, administrative law judges and arbitrators and obtained summary judgment in discrimination and employment-related matters. He also is a skilled negotiator who has resolved numerous disputes at the table in collective bargaining and through one-on-one negotiations and alternative dispute resolution.

Education:

• J.D., Boston University School of Law, cum laude (1985)
• B.A., University of Wisconsin, Madison (1982)

Affiliations:

• American Bar Association
• Jewish Vocational Service of Chicago (Vice President, 2011 to present; Board of Directors, 2001 to present)
• Temple Sholom of Chicago (President, 2009 to 2011)