Partner, Chicago Office

ph: 312.332.7760
fax:312.332.7768
fgarrett@robbins-schwartz.com

Frank B. Garrett III

Frank B. Garrett III represents school districts, community colleges, local governmental bodies and public and private companies in all aspects of employment law, including complaints and charges of unlawful discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, civil rights violations, employee discipline and termination.  Frank counsels and provides training to employers on all aspects of the employment relationship. 

Frank represents clients in state and federal court, at the trial and appellate levels and before the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, the Illinois Human Rights Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.  Frank is a regular speaker on employment law, at the local, state and national level.

Before joining Robbins Schwartz, Frank worked as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago.  In this capacity, he represented the City of Chicago in a variety of personnel matters and defended the City in unlawful discrimination and civil rights lawsuits.

Frank is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education to provide school board member training.

Awards

• Illinois Leading Lawyer, Government and Regulatory-Related, 2017
• Illinois Leading Lawyer, Employment and School Law, 2004-2012
• Illinois Super Lawyers, 2005

Recent Publications

• "Extended Medical Leave Under ADA Soundly Rejected by 7th Circuit," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (2017)
• "First Amendment Protections Get Broader for Government Employees," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (2016)
• "Big-box Employee's Attempt to 'Scam' Company Undercuts FMLA Claims," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (2015)
• "Employers Must Rethink Employee 'Look' Policies After High Court Decision," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (2015)
• “Using Social Network Screening as Part of the Hiring Process: Employers Should Proceed with Caution,” Inquiry & Analysis, National School Boards Association's Council of School Attorneys (2013)
• Contributing author, “Employment Discrimination,” ILLINOIS SCHOOL LAW, IICLE (1996, 1999, Supp. 2001, 2005, 2010 and 2012)

Recent Presentations

• Debunking Some Common Employee FMLA Leave Myths, IASPA Annual Conference ( January 2020)
• Legislative Update: A Review of New Laws Affecting Illinois Community Colleges, Illinois Council of Community College Presidents Retreat (September 2019) 
• Understanding New Changes to the Minimum Wage Law and Other Wage-Related Statutes, Illinois GFOA Annual Conference (September 2019)
• Navigating the Legal Liability Minefield in the Recruitment, Interview and Selection of Qualified Applicants, AASPA Personnel Administrator Boot Camp (June 2018) 
• The Ever-Changing Landscape Under Title IX, Joint meeting of Illinois Community College Presidents, Chief Academic Officers and Chief Student Services Officers (January 2017) 
• Practical Guidance on Employee Misconduct Investigations and Discipline, Illinois Association of School Personnel Administrators, Tenth Annual State Conference (January 2017) 

Education

• J.D., DePaul University College of Law
• B.A., Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio

Admitted to Practice

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

Organizations

• American Bar Association, Section on Labor and Employment
• Chicago Bar Association
• Cook County Bar Association
• Illinois Council of School Attorneys

Partner, Chicago Office

ph: 312.332.7760
fax:312.332.7768
fgarrett@robbins-schwartz.com