Scalambrino & Arnoff, LLP

105 West Madison Street, Suite 810, Chicago, Illinois 60602

805 Greenwood Street, Evanston, Illinois 60201

Alisa B. Arnoff

Navy Pier Signage

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.

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