Sean focuses his practice on defending businesses in complex employment and business litigation in federal and state courts. He also advises businesses on the navigation of numerous employment and labor laws across the country to protect the business from future liability.
Sean has a successful record of winning dismissals and early case resolutions for his clients. Sean defends businesses in numerous litigation, including class actions, the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII, the Americans with Disability Act, Illinois Biometric Information Privacy law, the Lanham Act and other business laws. In addition to his extensive experience with state and federal litigation matters, Sean also focuses his practice on drafting employment contracts, company policies, non-compete agreements, master service agreements and other business documents for entrepreneurs, startup businesses and corporate clients.
Sean is a current member of Litchfield Cavo LLP’s COVID-19 Resource Team.
Practices
- Prevailed on an appeal to the Court of Appeals, State of Illinois, First District involving the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act, defining what is considered misconduct under section 602A in Alternative Staffing, Inc. v. Illinois Department of Employment Security, et al., 2012 IL App (1st) 113332
- Successfully defended a media company on its restrictive covenant agreement for a high level manager
- Prevailed on an early motion to dismiss a contract claim filed against a real estate company
- Prevailed on motion to dismiss individual officer and owner from Fair Labor Standards Act complaint for personal liability for a real estate company
- Won summary judgment on the motor carrier exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act for drivers, helpers and mechanics when some individuals did not leave the State of Illinois
- Won dismissal on allegations of earned commission under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act seeking $1.5 million in earned commissions in 2018
- Won motion to dismiss individual officers and owners from personal liability under the Illinois Minimum Wage Law (IMWL) by successfully arguing that the IMWL does not support personal liability against owners, officers or other management
Education
- Michigan State University College of Law, JD, 2004
- University of Dublin College of Law through Duquesne University of Law, 2003
- State University of New York, Potsdam, BA, Business Economics, 2001
Admissions
- Illinois
- United States District Courts: Northern District of Illinois, Central District of Illinois, Southern District of Illinois
- United States Court of Appeals: Seventh Circuit
- Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois
Languages
- English
Professional Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Chicago Bar Association
- Illinois Bar Association
- Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Business Advisory Committee
Related News
Presentations/Publications
- Webinar Host, “Welcome Back! Reopening Your Business After COVID-19,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webinar (May 2020)
- Webinar Host, “COVID-19 and Its Impact on the Gig Economy,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Webinar (May 2020)
- Author, “As the Economy Starts to Reopen, Employers Have Options to Maintain a Safe Workplace With Medical Exams,” Litchfield Alert (April 2020)
- Author, “Department of Labor Clarifies Employers and Employees Coverage Under The FFCRA,” Litchfield Alert (April 2020)
- Author, “Employment Laws During COVID-19,” Litchfield Alert (March 2020)
- Co-author, “New COVID-19 Response Bill Expands FMLA and Provides Paid Sick Leave,” Litchfield Alert (March 2020)
- Presenter, “Reducing Your Company’s Risk By Hiring and Firing the Right Way,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Naperville, IL (March 2020)
- Presenter, “HR Essentials | Employment Laws A-Z: Guiding Illinois Employers Through All of the New and Old Illinois Employment Laws,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Naperville, IL (February 2020)
- Presenter, “The Supervisor’s Handbook, Leadership Training for Illinois Supervisors,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Chicago, IL (February 2020 and November 2019)
- Presenter, “One Source-The Workplace Transparency Act—Is Your Company In Compliance,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Chicago, IL (December 2019)
- Webinar Host, “The Workplace Transparency Act—Is Your Company In Compliance?,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Chicago, IL (October 2019)
- Presenter, “Employment Laws In The Trucking Industry,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Chicago, IL (September 2019)
- Presenter, “Solving the Complex World of Wage and Hour Issues For Illinois Businesses,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Chicago, IL (August 2019)
- Presenter, “How Major Changes to Illinois Discrimination Laws Have Businesses Altering Its Hiring Practices,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Chicago, IL (July 2019)
- Panelist, “Emerging Legal Trends in the Cannabis Industry Conference,” Perrin Conferences, San Francisco, CA (June 2019)
- Webinar Host, “Hot Topic! Wage and Hour Laws Continue to Dominate Employers Compliance,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Chicago, IL (May 2019)
- Author, “Compliance with Illinois Handbooks, Policies, and Forms,” (May 2019)
- Author, “The Illinois Supreme Court Decision Places Illinois Into the Center Of Consumer Privacy Laws,” Illinois Chamber Dispatcher (May 2019)
- Author, “No More Rejecting FMLA Leave Designation—DOL Provides Clarity,” Litchfield Alert (March 2019)
- Presenter, “New Governor-New Laws! Is Your Business Up-To-Date On The Recent Illinois Laws?,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Chicago, IL (March 2019)
- Author, “Take Two: DOL Sends Notice to Change Overtime Rules… Again,” Litchfield Alert (March 2019)
- Presenter, “HR Essentials: Employment Laws A-Z,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce Seminar, Glen Ellyn, IL (February 2019)
- Author, “Illinois’ New Minimum Wage Law for Businesses,” Litchfield Alert (February 2019)
- Presenter, “New Year Requirements for Payroll in 2019,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Naperville, IL (January 2019)
- Presenter, “Privacy Laws and The Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, What Businesses Need to Know!” Illinois Chamber of Commerce Seminar, Glen Ellyn, IL (December 2018)
- Presenter, “Reducing Your Company’s Risk By Hiring and Firing the Right Way!,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Effingham, IL (September 2018)
- Presenter, “Wage and Hour Compliance Workshop,” College of DuPage with Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Glen Ellyn, IL (August 2018)
- Webinar Host, “New Wage and Hour Developments, Is Your Business Still in Compliance?,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Chicago, IL (May 2018)
- Presenter, “Best Practice for Mangers & Supervisor,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Springfield, IL (May 2018)
- Trainer, “Workplace Harassment Awareness and Prevention Training,” HR Compliance Training, Boston, MA and Lansing, MI (2018)
- Featured quotes, “A Little Good News Sneaks in for Employers,” The Daily Herald (September 17, 2017)
- Author, “Tipping the Scales: How the 10th Circuit Just Created a Show Down Over Tips,” Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce (August 2017)
- Co-Author, “President Trump’s First 100 Days: What it Means For Employers,” Illinois Chamber Dispatcher (May 2017)
- Author, “Illinois Employer Guide to Wage and Hour Issues, Second Edition,” Illinois Chamber of Commerce (2016)
- Author, “New Proposed Overtimes Rules are Released,” Illinois Business Leader (August 2015)
- Featured quotes, “Who Gets Paid Overtime, New Overtime Rules Require Strategic Planning,” The Daily Herald (July 20, 2015)
- Author, “Is Your Company Protecting Its Most Valuable Assets?,” Kensington Services, Inc. (2009)
- Author, “To Notice or Not to Notice: The Warn Act,” American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section (May 2009)
Honors & Awards
- Selected as an Illinois Leading Lawyer annually since 2017 by peers in the practice area of employment and labor law, a designation received by fewer than five percent of all lawyers licensed in Illinois
- Selected to the Super Lawyers Chicago, Illinois Rising Stars list 2014-2016 in the practice area of Employment and Labor, a designation received by fewer than 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state
Recognition
- Selected as an Illinois Leading Lawyer annually since 2017 by peers in the practice area of employment and labor law, a designation received by fewer than five percent of all lawyers licensed in Illinois
- Selected to the Super Lawyers Chicago, Illinois Rising Stars list 2014-2016 in the practice area of Employment and Labor, a designation received by fewer than 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state