(312) 332-7760 (tel.)
(312) 332-7768 (fax)
rlutner@rsnlt.com

Practice Areas: Education Law, Labor & Employment

Rachel Lutner practices in the area of labor and employment law, representing both public and private employers. She has defended claims of employment discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge and wage claims in state and federal court and before state and federal agencies. She counsels employers on a wide range of employment issues, including hiring, terminations, reductions in force, performance reviews, employment agreements, employee handbooks and policies, settlement agreements, noncompete and confidentiality agreements, wage and hour matters and union negotiations.

Rachel has conducted management and employee training sessions and seminars on harassment, workplace policies, human resources functions, union avoidance, civility in the workplace and investigating and resolving harassment and other complaints.

Prior to joining Robbins, Schwartz, Rachel worked as an associate attorney with Duane Morris LLP, one of the nation's 100 largest law firms.

Education

• J.D., University of Illinois College of Law, 1994
• B.A., Economics and Public Policy, Carleton College, 1990

Admitted to Practice

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
• Supreme Court of Illinois

Recent Publications

• "Are You a Target? Countering Union Organizing Activity in the Educational Workplace," CUPA-HR Journal (Fall/Winter 2005)

Recent Presentations

• When It's Better Not to Keep a Secret: Liability for the Acts of a Dangerous or Criminal Employee, Valencia Community College, Orlando, FL (January 2010)
• Peer Harassment and Employee Confidentiality Agreements and Issues, CUPA-Illinois (June 2006)
• State of the Workforce, College and University Professional Association for Human Resources' Regional Conference (April 2006)
• Proposed Legislative Changes to the FMLA Regulations and Avoiding FMLA Retaliation Claims, FMLA Update Seminar, Council on Education in Management (March 2006)
• Minimizing Organizational and Personal Liability Risks Arising from Employee Terminations, Personnel Law Update Seminar, Council on Education in Management (October 2004)
• EEOC and Discrimination Law Update: Vital Lessons for Employers from Recent Cases, Personnel Law Update Seminar, Council on Education in Management (October 2004)
• Update on Privacy in the Electronic Workplace: Balancing Employers' Right to Know with Employees' Right to Privacy, Council on Education in Management, Advanced Employment Law, Certificate Forum for HR Professionals (June 2004)