Michelle T. Olson is a Shareholder in the Labor and Employment group of the firm’s Chicago office and Co-Chair of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee.
Ms. Olson regularly counsels employers on day-to-day employment law and human resources matters, including federal and state anti-discrimination laws, medical leaves of absence and accommodation requests, employee discipline and discharge, whistleblower and retaliation claims, and wage and hour violations. Ms. Olson helps employers navigate challenging workplace investigations, including allegations of harassment, bullying and retaliation. She also provides employers with thoughtful and practical advice in the development of separation and settlement agreements, employee handbooks, training programs and related policies and procedures. Ms. Olson also regularly represents clients involved in employment-related litigation in federal court, arbitral forums and administrative agencies.
From 2016 to 2020, Ms. Olson was selected as an Illinois Rising Star in Employment Litigation: Defense by Super Lawyers.
From 2011 to 2013, Ms. Olson clerked for the Honorable Joan H. Lefkow of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, where she worked on a wide variety of civil and criminal matters. While in law school, Ms. Olson served as an extern at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and was a member of the Northwestern Journal of Law and Social Policy. She also studied in India. Prior to attending law school, she worked as a legislative aide for the Illinois House of Representatives
