William Pokorny, JD

Mr. Pokorny is a member of the firm's Executive Committee and serves as cochair of the firm's Higher Education Practice Group. Mr. Pokorny helps employers and educational institutions achieve their goals in legal disputes with their current and former employees, students, and others in state and federal courts and administrative agencies. Mr. Pokorny has a wide range of litigation experience, particularly in the areas of wage and hour litigation, discrimination and civil rights, employee benefits, faculty tenure disputes, and disability and leave issues.

Mr. Pokorny also helps employers identify, understand, and solve a wide range of legal problems relating to their employees. He is particularly versed in all aspects of state and federal law relating to minimum wages, overtime, exemptions, work hours, and wage payment issues. Mr. Pokorny also regularly counsels employers on issues relating to the Family and Medical Leave Act, disability issues, and accommodations. Mr. Pokorny provides management and employee training on workplace legal issues and conducts workplace investigations and legal audits.

For higher education clients, Mr. Pokorny serves as a trusted adviser on sensitive issues such as faculty tenure, pay equity, and policies and procedures for addressing internal complaints of harassment and sexual misconduct.

Mr. Pokorny joined the firm in February 2006. Previously, he worked at the law firms of Wildman Harrold Allen & Dixon LLP (2003–2006) and McDermott Will & Emery LLP (2001–2003). He is a member of the Chicago, Illinois State, and American Bar Associations.