Joseph J. Perkoski, Managing Partner

Joseph J. Perkoski, Managing Partner

Joseph J. Perkoski has built his legal career with a profound focus on representing educational institutions and public sector employers, particularly in board and executive leadership matters. Known for his experience in labor and employment issues, including collective bargaining, grievance arbitration, and contract interpretation, Joseph has become a trusted counselor for his clients.

Joseph finds immense satisfaction in counseling clients to help them achieve their goals and objectives. His strengths as an attorney lie in effective listening and engagement skills and his contributions extend beyond his legal practice with notable publications and presentations. These include labor negotiations and collective bargaining agreement administration. 

Joseph’s excellence in the legal field is underscored by prestigious accolades, including being recognized as a Fellow of The College of Labor & Employment Lawyers and consistently listed in Illinois Super Lawyers from 2008 to 2020. Notably, he holds the title of an Illinois Leading Lawyer in Employment, Labor, and School Law.

Joseph’s desire to provide guidance to people and entities facing legal challenges motivated him to become a lawyer. His choice to specialize in education law is rooted in his aspiration to assist educational entities in achieving their objectives.

Before becoming a lawyer, Joseph served as a Human Resources Administrator at The Ohio State University. This role significantly influenced his career trajectory, eventually leading him to become a labor and employment attorney with a specialization in serving educational entities.

Joseph’s blue-collar upbringing in a community where education was seen as crucial to advancement profoundly influences his goals, outlook, and approach to the law. Being the first in his family to attend college, he has dedicated himself to education both as a student and as an attorney serving educational entities.

Apart from his legal pursuits, Joseph enjoys writing and outdoor activities. He has been an active supporter of the Chicago Rowing Foundation since 2021, showcasing his commitment to community involvement. A lesser-known fact about him is his love for poetry, adding a creative dimension to his multifaceted personality.

Awards

• Fellow, The College of the Labor & Employment Lawyers
• Illinois Super Lawyers, 2008-2020
• Illinois Leading Lawyer, Employment, Labor and School Law

Education

• J.D., The Ohio State University, The Mortiz College of Law
• M.A., The Ohio State University
• B.A. with honors, The Ohio State University

Admitted to Practice

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
• Supreme Court of Illinois
• Supreme Court of Wisconsin
• Superior Court for the District of Columbia

Organizations

• American Bar Association
• Fellow, College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
• Council of School Attorneys
• Federal Bar Association
• Illinois Association of School Business Officials
• Illinois Bar Association
• National School Boards Association
• Wisconsin Bar Association

Recent Publications

• Contributing author, “Bargaining Implications of Statutory Leave Rights for Public Sector Employees,” State and Local Government Bargaining & Employment Law Committee Midwinter Meeting, American Bar Association (2024)
• Contributing author, “Labor Issues in the Transactional Side of the Project,” Construction Law: Transactional Considerations, IICLE (2017)
• Contributing author, “Labor Relations: Contract Administration Including ULPs,” Illinois School Law: Personnel and Student Issues, IICLE (2010, 2012, and 2015)
• “Finding a New Way: Subcontracting Revisited,” UPDATE Magazine, Illinois ASBO (2011)
• Contributing author, “Labor Issues in the Transactional Side of the Project,” Construction Law – Transaction Practice, IICLE (2010)

Recent Presentations

• The Nuts and Bolts of Employee Sexual Misconduct and Grooming Investigations, Large Unit District Association January 2024 Conference (January 2024)
• Co-presenter, Investigations into Employee-on-Student Sexual Misconduct and Grooming Complaint, Large Unit School District Association School Administrators’ Conference (October 2023)
• Legal Update, Illinois Community College Chief Financial Officers Spring Conference (April 2022)
• Legal Update, Illinois Community College Chief Financial Officers Spring Conference (April 2021)
• Hot Legal Topics, Bargaining in a Post-Covid World, Illinois Community College Chief Financial Officers Spring Conference (April 2021)
• Will it Count? Teacher Evaluations in a Hybrid and Virtual World, Large Unit District Association Virtual Fall Conference (October 2020)