Marilyn Pearson has an extensive practice in the area of labor and employment law. Ms. Pearson advises clients on a broad range of issues including collective bargaining and all aspects of contract administration, strategic planning, public relations and employee communications, strike preparedness and employee job actions, preparation or review of employee handbooks, transactional due diligence, downsizing, and bankruptcy. Ms. Pearson has served as the lead negotiator for collective bargaining, including negotiations for consensual modifications to labor agreements and retiree medical benefits pursuant to Sections 1113 and 1114 of the Bankruptcy Code. She regularly represents clients in arbitrations and mediations involving discharge, discipline and contract disputes. Ms. Pearson has also conducted workshops for managers on negotiations, all aspects of contract administration and enforcement of discipline policies, and alternative dispute resolution.

Ms. Pearson advises clients on a broad range of employment issues, including federal and state employment discrimination, drug and alcohol testing, federal and state WARN Act, FMLA, USERRA, and ADA compliance. Ms. Pearson has also successfully defended employers facing whistleblower charges in the safety-sensitive aviation industry. She advises clients on employment contracts, including confidentiality and non-compete clauses. Ms. Pearson is skillful in assisting clients in investigations of employee misconduct and has conducted such investigations on behalf of her clients.

Working on a pro bono basis, Ms. Pearson is the general counsel of the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Berilling

• District of Columbia
• Illinois
• Minnesota

Memberships

• American Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association
• National Transportation Safety Board Bar Association

Seminars

• "Strategies for Getting the Best Results in the Mediation Caucus,” ABA CLE (2004)
• “Avoiding the Whistleblower Trap,” Lexis Nexis Martindale Hubbell Counsel to Counsel Forum (2005)
• Trainer, Grievance Mediation Seminar, Mediation Research and Education Project (2004)
• “The Purchase, Sale, Relocation, or Shutdown of a Business” supplement for Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Labor Law Handbook
• Adjunct Professor for Negotiations Seminar, Northwestern University School of Law (2000 – 2006)

Civic and Charitable

• Member, Board of Advisors, Kellogg School of Management Dispute Resolution Research Center
• Member, Board of Directors, The Wetlands Initiative