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We place a strong emphasis on teamwork, which enables us to leverage the breadth and depth of knowledge of all our attorneys, paralegals, and staff.

Thomas C. Garretson

Partner, Chicago Office

ph: 312-332-7760
Email: tgarretson@robbins-schwartz.com

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Practice Areas: Employee Benefits, Labor & Employment, Municipal Law

Thomas C. Garretson

Tom advises and counsels employers in the public and private sectors in all areas of labor and employment law, including workplace investigations, disciplinary action, leaves and accommodation requests, contract disputes, wage and hour issues, and general human resources compliance. Tom has significant experience working closely with management in traditional labor matters, including union organizing, collective bargaining and contract negotiations, grievances, and unfair labor practices. He also defends employers in state/federal court and before administrative agencies involving claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and breach of contract.

Prior to joining Robbins Schwartz, Tom worked as a labor relations attorney for the Cook County Health System. He also worked with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Enforcement Unit while in law school. 

Outside of Robbins Schwartz, Tom is a die-hard sports fan and, despite living in Chicago for   over a decade, his heart still belongs to his hometown Detroit teams as well as the Michigan State Spartans.

Education

  • J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law
  • B.A., with honors, Michigan State University

Admitted to Practice

  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • Supreme Court of Illinois

Organizations

  • Chicago Bar Association

Recent Publications

  • “Illinois Employers Take Note: Expanded Bereavement Leave Requirements Now in Effect,” Employment and Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2024)
  • “IDOL Publishes Proposed Rules for the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act,” Employment and Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2023)
  • “Illinois Employers Required to Provide Transportation Benefits Starting in 2024,” Employment and Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2023)
  • “Mandatory Paid Leave for Employees Coming to Illinois in 2024,” Employment & Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2023)
  • “Illinois Supreme Court – Federal Labor Law Preempts BIPA Claims Brought by Union Employees,” Employment & Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2023)
  • “Illinois Imposes New Pay Transparency Requirements on Employers,” Employment & Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2023)
  • “Illinois Department of Labor Adopts New Expense Reimbursement Rules for Employers,” Employment & Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2023)
  • “Seventh Circuit: Illinois Whistleblower Act Does Not Protect Those Asserting Violation of Another State’s Laws” Employment & Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2022)
  • “Amendments to ODRISA Impose New Requirements on Illinois Employers” Employment & Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2022)
  • “First District Appellate Court Concludes Personnel Record Review Act Does Not Require Employers To Provide Copies of Records to Employee’s Legal Representative” Employment & Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2022)
  • “Seventh Circuit Certifies Question to Illinois Supreme Court Regarding When BIPA Claim Accrues” Employment and Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2021)
  • “Get off my Property: SCOTUS Limits Union Access to Employer Premises,” Employment and Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2021)
  • “Recent Department of Labor Opinion Letters: Pay for Training and Travel,” Employment and Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (2021)

Recent Presentations

  • Navigating Payroll Laws, Illinois Association of School Business Officials Bookkeepers Conference 2024 (March 2024)
  • A Fresh Look at Bargaining Teacher and ESP Contracts: Best Practices for Responding to Union Proposals, Traditional Bargaining v. Interest-Based Methods, and Strategies for Success, Large Unit School District Association School Administrators’ Conference (October 2023)
  • Higher Education Collective Bargaining Trends and Management Strategies for Effective Negotiations, Robbins Schwartz Virtual Legal Update for Illinois Higher Education Institutions (September 2023)
  • Collective Bargaining Overview and Tips for Negotiations, Community College Trustee Professional Development Training, Illinois Community College Trustee Association Annual Conference (June 2023)
  • Navigating Payroll Laws – Wages and Recordkeeping Requirements, IASBO Bookkeepers Conference (March 2023)
  • Best Practices for Responding to Harassment and Discrimination Complaints, IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference (January 2023)
  • Nuts & Bolts of Arbitration, Chicago-Kent Public Sector Labor Law Conference (December 2022)
  • Never a Dull Moment – Case Studies and Tales from HR, Illinois Association of School Personnel Administrators Annual Conference (January 2022)
  • Updates from the Department of Human Rights, IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference (January 2022)
  • The Nuts and Bolts of Employee Leave Rights Under the FMLA, ADA, and Illinois Law, IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference (January 2022)
  • Mid-Term and Successor Bargaining Trends Post-COVID-19, Illinois Association of School Administrators Legal Workshop (December 2021)
  • Employee Misconduct Investigations and Discipline During a Pandemic, Illinois Association of School Personnel Administrators Annual Conference (January 2021)

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