Alisa B. Arnoff

Phone: (312) 629-0546
Facsimile: (312) 629-0550
Email: aba@sacounsel.com

Alisa is the firm’s only Chicago native, and you can definitely hear it in her accent. She received both her undergraduate and law degrees from Loyola University – Chicago, getting her English degree while on a combined swimming/academic scholarship. She concentrates her practice almost exclusively in the area of employment, labor, and education law.

I concentrate my practice in employment and labor law (even though I disliked it as a summer associate many, many, many years ago). It is a fascinating practice, with challenging issues being raised quite frequently, especially given the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work, and the like. About 20 years ago, I was able to begin to utilize my skills to handle student matters at private schools, which was a great way to feel reinvigorated about my practice. Similarly, about 12 years ago, I was welcomed by the Fire Service community and have been fortunate to meet and work with our nation’s first responders on different workplace issues. Needless to say, I enjoy the practice of law still after all this time.

What else can I tell you? I am a Chicago native and received both my degrees from Loyola University – Chicago. While an undergraduate, I attended school on a full swimming/academic scholarship. My favorite breed of dog is the Belgian Tervuren, and if you have seen a long-haired red shepherd walking her master along the northern shore of Lake Michigan (usually with a floppy-eared Corgi in tow), that was probably us.

Think of us as your outside, inside counsel. It is important to us that we understand your business needs, and to address them practically and efficiently.

Thank you for visiting our site. Feel free to reach out with any questions. I am generally in our Evanston office.

Selected Bar Memberships, Professional Organizations, and Honors

Admitted To Practice in the State of Illinois
Admitted To Practice in Federal District Courts for the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois, Eastern District of Wisconsin
Admitted To Practice Before the Third, Sixth, Seventh, and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeal
College of Labor & Employment Lawyers (Elected 2010)
Illinois “Super Lawyer” in Area of Employment Law (Multiple Years) and Top Women Lawyers in Illinois (2011–2022)
American Bar Association, Section of Labor & Employment Lawyers – National Co-Chair (Management), Law Student Trial Advocacy Competition
Member, International Association of Fire Chiefs Bullying, Harassment, and Workplace Violence Task Group (2017-2022)
Appointed to the Illinois State Bar Association Special Committee on Fair and Impartial Courts, Now the Future of the Courts Committee (2012)
Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service From the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (2011)
Member of the Illinois State (Illinois Bar Journal Editorial Board) and American Bar Associations (Member, Labor & Employment (Employment Rights & Responsibilities Subcommittee), Litigation, Law Practice Management Sections)
Former Editor-in-Chief, Illinois Bar Journal Editorial Board
Past Chair of Illinois State Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law Section Council
Former Chair, Human Resources Committee, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, Inc.
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Peer Rated

Recent Speaking Engagements

“Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for Mental Health Professionals,” The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Institute for Professional & Continuing Studies, May 10, 2022 (conducted remotely).
“Workplace Bullying 2022: The Legal Impact of #BLM, Covid-19, DEI, Politics & More, Illinois Human Rights Commission’s Lunch & Learn Series, Chicago, IL April 13, 2022 (conducted remotely).
“If It’s Broke, Fix It: Developing Effective Harassment Prevention Training Tools for Fire Departments,” Women in Fire/FDIC 2021, Indianapolis, IN August 2, 2021 [with co-presenter John Rukavina].
“What the Past Decade has Taught Us About the Fire House as Workplace – An After Action Report,” Fire-Rescue International Conference, Charlotte, NC July 29, 2021.
“I Just Wanna Testify: The Chief on the Witness Stand,” Fire-Rescue International Conference, Charlotte, NC July 28, 2021[with co-presenter John Rukavina].
“Personnel Law 101 for the New Company Officer,” Fire-Rescue International Conference, Charlotte, NC July 28, 2021[with co-presenter Scott Moore].
“Respect our House: Extinguish Bullying,” and “Respect our House: Train the Trainer,” Fire-Rescue International Conference, Charlotte, NC July 27, 2021[with multiple presenters].
“If It’s Broke, Fix It: Developing Effective Harassment Prevention Training Tools for Fire Departments,” radio show to promote upcoming Women in Fire/FDIC 2021 program, taped June 3, 2021.
“Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for Mental Health Professionals,” The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Institute for Professional & Continuing Studies, February 16, 2021 (conducted remotely).
“You’re not in Kansas Anymore: Discrimination Law & More for the New Company Officer,” Fire-Rescue International Conference/ReIgnite Virtual Conference. October 2020 (pre-recorded).
“Bullying and Workplace Violence Prevention,” IAFC Health Safety and Survival Virtual Training Day, September 25, 2020 [with co-presenter Fire Chief David Emanuel] (pre-recorded).
“LGBT Rights in the Workplace,” Southeastern Association of Law Schools 2020 Conference, Fort Lauderdale, FL August 4, 2020 [Panel Member].
“Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for Mental Health Professionals,” The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Institute for Professional & Continuing Studies, July 30, 2020 (conducted remotely).
“COVID-19: Managing Reasonable Accommodation Requests under the ADA,” American Bar Association Commission on Disability Rights, July 28, 2020 (conducted remotely) [Employer Representative on panel].
“Employee Handbook 2020: Review, Revise, Repeat! Not Again…,” Employment Law Update, MRA-The Management Association, Palatine, IL January 30, 2020.
“Inquiring Minds Want to Know – Ask the Attorney!,” Employment Law Update, MRA-The Management Association, Palatine, IL January 30, 2020 [Panel Member].
“Workplace Bullying: Legal Implications and Exposure,” Illinois Human Rights Commission’s Lunch & Learn Series, Chicago, IL September 16, 2019.
“Firehouse Law: I Can Do What I Want Off-Duty, Right?,” Fire-Rescue International Conference, Atlanta, GA August 9, 2019 [with co-presenter John Rukavina].
“From Bullying to Respect: A Conversation,” Fire-Rescue International Conference, Atlanta, GA August 8, 2019 [Panel Member].
“Surviving Your EEO Obligations as a New Company Officer,” Fire-Rescue International Conference, Atlanta, GA August 7, 2019.
“Investigating the Personnel Fire without Getting Burned,” Fire-Rescue International Conference, Atlanta, GA August 7, 2019 [with co-presenter John Rukavina].
“The Strategy & Tactics of Confronting Bullies – Effectively,” 49th Annual Symposium, Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, East Peoria, IL May 16, 2019.
“The Strategy & Tactics of Confronting Bullies – Safely & Courageously,” Women in Fire/FDIC, Indianapolis, IN April 8, 2019 [with co-presenter Katherine Ridenhour].

“You’re not in Kansas Anymore: Discrimination Law & More for the New Company Officer,” Fire-Rescue International Conference/ReIgnite Virtual Conference (October 2020) (Pre-Recorded)
“Bullying and Workplace Violence Prevention,” IAFC Health Safety and Survival Virtual Training Day (September 25, 2020) [With Co-Presenter Fire Chief David Emanuel] (Pre-Recorded)
“LGBT Rights in the Workplace,” Southeastern Association of Law Schools 2020 Conference, Fort Lauderdale, FL (August 4, 2020) [Panel Member]
“Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for Mental Health Professionals,” The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Institute for Professional & Continuing Studies (July 30, 2020) (Conducted Remotely)
“COVID-19: Managing Reasonable Accommodation Requests under the ADA”, American Bar Association Commission on Disability Rights (July 28, 2020) (Conducted Remotely) [Employer Representative on Panel]
“Employee Handbook 2020: Review, Revise, Repeat! Not Again…,” Employment Law Update, MRA-The Management Association, Palatine, IL (January 30, 2020)
“Inquiring Minds Want to Know – Ask the Attorney!” Employment Law Update, MRA-The Management Association, Palatine, IL (January 30, 2020) [Panel Member]
“Workplace Bullying: Legal Implications and Exposure,” Illinois Human Rights Commission’s Lunch & Learn Series, Chicago, IL (September 16, 2019)
“Firehouse Law: I Can Do What I Want Off-Duty, Right?” Fire-Rescue International Conference, Atlanta, GA (August 9, 2019) [With Co-Presenter John Rukavina]
“From Bullying to Respect: A Conversation,” Fire-Rescue International Conference, Atlanta, GA (August 8, 2019) [Panel Member]
“Surviving Your EEO Obligations as a New Company Officer,” Fire-Rescue International Conference, Atlanta, GA (August 7, 2019)
“Investigating the Personnel Fire without Getting Burned,” Fire-Rescue International Conference, Atlanta, GA (August 7, 2019) [With Co-Presenter John Rukavina]
“The Strategy & Tactics of Confronting Bullies – Effectively.” 49th Annual Symposium, Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, East Peoria, IL (May 16, 2019)
“Investigating the Personnel Fire without Getting Burned,” Podcast to promote the upcoming Fire-Rescue International Program, (Taped April 10, 2019) Access at www.blogtalkradio.com
“The Strategy & Tactics of Confronting Bullies – Safely & Courageously,” Women in Fire/FDIC, Indianapolis, IN (April 8, 2019) [With Co-Presenter Katherine Ridenhour]
“Balancing Workplace Safety with Employee Rights,” American Bar Association 12th Annual Section of Labor & Employment Law Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (November 9, 2018) [Moderator/Employer Representative on Panel]
“Your Employee Handbook – Friend or Foe?,” Chicago Roofing Contractors Association, Schaumburg, IL (September 18, 2018)
“Firehouse Law: I Can Do What I Want Off-Duty, Right?,” Fire-Rescue International Conference, Dallas, TX (August 9, 2018) [With Co-Presenter John Rukavina]
“From Buddy to Boss – Surviving Your EEO Responsibility,” Fire-Rescue International Conference, Dallas, TX (August 8, 2018)
“Investigating the Personnel Fire without Getting Burned,” Fire-Rescue International Conference, Dallas, TX (August 8, 2018) [With Co-Presenter John Rukavina]
“Legal Perspective and Viewpoint,” Bullying, Harassment, and Violence Prevention Symposium, Fire-Rescue International Conference, Dallas, TX (August 7, 2018)
“The Strategy & Tactics of Confronting Bullies – Safely & Courageously,” International Women in Fire & Emergency Services Conference, Tyson’s Corner, VA (May 24, 2018) [With Co-Presenter Katherine Ridenhour]
“Hiring, Evaluating & Firing Employees: Fairly–Legally–Defensively,” Small Business Coalition, Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, Bolingbrook, IL (April 27, 2018)
“Genetics, Complicity or Bad Luck? Is there Workplace “Lifestyle” Discrimination? If so, is it Illegal?” American Bar Association Section of Labor & Employment Law, Employee Rights, and Responsibilities Committee Mid-Winter Meeting, Clearwater Beach, FL (March 21, 2018) [Employer Representative on Panel]
“Sexual Harassment in the Workplace,” Journal of Women, Gender and the Law Symposium, De-Paul University College of Law, Chicago, IL (March 2, 2018) [Employer Representative on Panel]
“Introduction to the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act,” 20th Annual Employment Law Update, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Chicago, IL (February 22, 2018) [And Afternoon Moderator]

Additional Information

AV Peer Rated, Martindale Hubbell

Alisa B. Arnoff

Selected Bar Memberships, Professional Organizations, and Honors

Recent Speaking Engagements

Additional Information

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