KRISTEN PRINZ PRESENTS CLE ON WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS

Kristen Prinz recently conducted a CLE for Lawline on "How to Conduct Thorough and Effective Workplace Investigations." This module included tips on what constitutes a workplace complaint worth investigating, the necessary steps involved in conducting an investigation, how to determine witness credibility, unpacking one's own biases prior to investigating a complaint, and feeling comfortable communicating one's findings to a company. This marks Kristen's fifth appearance as Lawline faculty.

KRISTEN PRINZ A LEADING LAWYER FOR 2022!

Founder and Managing Partner Kristen Prinz has been named a Leading Lawyer for 2022! Kristen was recommended by her peers and approved by the Leading Lawyers Advisory Board. The distinction of being a Leading Lawyer is earned by fewer than 5% of all attorneys licensed to practice law in the state of Illinois. Congratulations, Kristen!

KRISTEN PRINZ OFFERS CLE ON DEPOSITIONS

In her second appearance for Pincus legal education, Kristen once again addressed how to best tackle depositions. Joined by Brian Eldridge, this presentation was part of Pincus' 11th Annual Circuit Court Boot Camp and provided guidance on types of depositions, rules specific to Illinois, how to properly prepare for a deposition, and what to do afterward.

LAURA FELDMAN CONTRIBUTES TO ABA'S FMLA REPORT

Recognized as an authority on FMLA topics, Laura Feldman, of counsel at The Prinz Law Firm, contributes annually to the American Bar Association’s Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Mid-Winter Report. Laura recently contributed to the 2021 Report. She drafted summaries of case law and identified the legal issues they are likely to trigger. The Report serves as a go-to resource for other attorneys practicing in the field.

AMIT BINDRA PROVIDES NEGOTIATION COACHING TO THE EXECUTIVES' CLUB

Partner Amit Bindra recently coached executives on effective negotiations for the LEAD Program (Leadership Engagement, Assessment and Development) of the Executives' Club of Chicago. This is the fourth year Amit has provided exclusive counseling to Chicago's top executives.

KRISTEN PRINZ PRESENTS FOR WEALTHCOUNSEL

Kristen Prinz presented a webinar for WealthCounsel on the topic of "Minimizing Small Business Risks: Employment Law Basics." Kristen touched upon such issues as the difference between an independent contractor and an employee, the proper uses of employment agreements, and the most useful employment policies for small businesses.

CHRISTINA HYNES MESCO QUOTED IN THE BUSINESS JOURNALS ON OSHA RULE CHANGES

Prinz attorney Christina Hynes Mesco was recently quoted in The Business Journals, a group of publications focused on the business community with national reach. Christina discussed OSHA's recent new rules on workplace vaccination mandates. While the new standard faces an uphill legal challenge--and may ultimately be struck down--Christina says the strong business case for vaccination means companies should consider how they can best encourage their workers to get the shot. For more on this topic, click below or read Christina's blog post above.

KRISTEN PRINZ INTERVIEWS DESIGNER DEBBIE MILLMAN

In her capacity as president of the Chicago chapter of the International Women's Forum (IWF), Managing Partner Kristen Prinz recently interviewed designer, professor, and writer Debbie Millman on "Designing Your Best Life." Best known as the host of the podcast Design Matters, Debbie discussed her recent book Why Design Matters, as well as her personal and professional path. She also offered advice on how each one of us can plot out and realize an audacious life.

THE PRINZ LAW FIRM NAMED A U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT/BEST LAWYERS "BEST LAW FIRM" FOR 2022!

We are pleased to announce that The Prinz Law Firm has been recognized among the "Best Law Firms" for 2022 by U.S. News & World Report/Best Lawyers. The annual edition of the Best Law Firms publication serves as the year’s definitive reference tool for legal representation across the U.S., reaching over 32,000 general counsel and over 62,000 leading lawyers nationwide. We are honored to be a part of this resource.

KRISTEN PRINZ PUBLISHES ON WOMEN IN THE LAW

Kristen Prinz recently published an article on women in the legal field. "Women’s Empowerment in the Law Requires the Support of All" appeared in the American Bar Association (ABA)'s journal Business Law Today. Leaning on her role as president of the International Women’s Forum (IWF) of Chicago, Kristen addresses how women navigate the legal profession, especially its "glorification of overtired work," and how it is the responsibility of everyone in the field--not just women--to change it.

LAURA LEFKOW-HYNES GUEST LECTURES AT KENT LAW

Prinz attorney Laura Lefkow-Hynes recently guest lectured on privacy in the workplace for a law course at Chicago-Kent College of Law. The course was "Privacy Rights in Employment" and Laura specifically addressed privacy as a concern during workplace investigations into sexual harassment complaints. She spoke from her experience at a firm that serves both employees and employers, and therefore understands the totality of privacy concerns during investigations.

AMIT BINDRA DISCUSSES THE NON-COMPETE EXECUTIVE ORDER

Prinz Partner Amit Bindra recently provided a CLE on "Restrictions on Noncompetes: New FTC Regulations on Wage and Hour Workers" for Strafford. This CLE addressed the July 9th Executive Order that "encouraged" the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) "to curtail the unfair use of non-compete clauses and other clauses or agreements that may unfairly limit worker mobility." It also provided an overview of state laws regarding non-competes.

POONAM LAKHANI SERVES ON COVID & PRIVACY PANEL

Prinz attorney Poonam Lakhani spoke at the 9th Annual Minority Bar CLE Conference, "Post-COVID: Will We Ever Be The Same?" The conference focused on areas that were impacted by the 2020 pandemic, including what the “return to normal” will look like. Poonam spoke as part of an attorney panel on "COVID-19 and Privacy Considerations for Employers and Employees." Among other things, the lively discussion addressed employer best practices for responding to privacy-related challenges.

AMIT BINDRA DISCUSSES NEW NON-COMPETE LAW WITH NELA

Prinz Partner Amit Bindra recently presented on Illinois' new non-compete law for the National Employment Lawyers' Association of Illinois. The topic was "Recent Changes to Restrictive Covenant Law in Illinois and Best Practices for Attorneys." Amit explained why the recent amendments to the Illinois Freedom to Work Act were beneficial for both employees and employers: workers will enjoy increased mobility while businesses will still be able to protect their confidential and proprietary information.

PRINZ TEAM KAYAKS THE CHICAGO RIVER

Members of The Prinz Law Firm recently took a tour of the Chicago River via kayak with Wateriders. The theme of the tour was "Ghosts and Gangsters" and brought us by the old haunt of Al Capone (actually located just next door to our office building) and the site of the sinking of the SS Eastland.

PRINZ NAMED "BEST IN LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT"

The Prinz Law Firm was named among the "Best in Labour and Employment Law of the Year" for 2021 by Corporate America Today.

KRISTEN PRINZ PRESENTS BUSINESS RISKS TO THE WBDC

Kristen Prinz offered support to women business owners by addressing the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) of Chicago on the topic of "Hiring Your First Employees." Kristen advised the WBDC on how small businesses can best steer clear of legal risks in the course of their employment and business matters and the necessary processes they must follow when adding new members to their workforce.

AMIT BINDRA FEATURED IN CHICAGO MEDICINE MAGAZINE

Physicians have become more aware of their non-compete agreements during the pandemic and with the rise of telemedicine. Chicago Medicine magazine recently featured a host of experts on this topic, including Prinz Partner Amit Bindra.

CHRISTINA HYNES MESCO ON THE BRUCE ST. JAMES SHOW

Christina Hynes Mesco once again joined WLS-890 AM’s The Bruce St. James Show. In this episode, she discussed the recent Biden Administration's vaccine mandate and what it means for businesses. Christina also addressed how some companies are putting employees who received religious exemptions to vaccine mandates on unpaid leave.

POONAM LAKHANI QUOTED IN CRAIN'S

Larger employers are increasingly requiring COVID-19 vaccinations. Poonam Lakhani was recently asked by Crain's Chicago Business if she would advise smaller companies to follow suit, and what they can do to induce employees to get the jab.

KRISTEN PRINZ FEATURED IN ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE

Founder and Managing Partner Kristen Prinz was recently featured in Attorney at Law Magazine. Kristen discusses what drove her to start her own firm and what it is like being a woman in the legal profession. She also mentions a special mentor who guided her path early on.

AMIT BINDRA RECOGNIZED AS A NOTABLE RISING STAR

Congratulations to Amit Bindra on being recognized by Crain's Chicago Business as a Notable Rising Star in Law!

POONAM LAKHANI FEATURED IN MOTHER JONES

National politics and news publication Mother Jones recently featured insight from Poonam in an article on employees seeking to be exempted from workplace vaccine requirements. Read the entire story below.

KRISTEN PRINZ PRESENTS ON "HIRING YOUR FIRST EMPLOYEES"

Webinar for WBDC @ 9:30 via Zoom.

AMIT BINDRA DISCUSSES LEGISLATIVE CHANGES WITH SHRM

Partner Amit Bindra served on a panel to discuss legal changes for the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Chicago. In particular, Amit focused his comments on Illinois' new noncompete law, which he played a key role in drafting. He also addressed amendments to the Equal Pay Act, the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, and provided a refresher on the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act.

POONAM LAKHANI QUOTED IN CRAIN'S ON RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS

Poonam Lakhani spoke to Crain's Chicago on the topic of religious exemptions to vaccine mandates. Poonam explained that determining whether to grant an employee request based on religion will be difficult, but employers are free to ask some basic questions.

POONAM LAKHANI ON WBEZ’S RESET

Poonam joined WBEZ's Reset to discuss how employers can navigate vaccine exemptions in the workplace, especially those based on religion.

CHM ON WLS-AM’S BRUCE ST. JAMES SHOW

Christina Hynes Mesco joined the Bruce St. James Show on WLS-AM to discuss mask and vaccine mandates and how both employees and employers can handle them.

AMIT BINDRA QUOTED IN CRAIN'S

Prinz Partner Amit Bindra was interviewed by Crain's Chicago regarding the new Illinois non-compete law that he largely drafted. Amit explains that the new legislation protects both employees and employers and provides long-overdue clarification in this area of litigation.

KRISTEN PRINZ ON NEWSNATION PRIME

Kristen Prinz recently spoke to NewsNation Prime (formerly WGN News) about religious exemptions to employer-required vaccinations. In particular, she addressed whether employees need to have a note from a religious leader or some other documentation to justify the exemption.

POONAM LAKHANI ON FOX

Poonam Lakhani discussed issues related to vaccination and employment with FOX 32 Chicago. After explaining whether employers can legally terminate employees who do not follow vaccination mandates, Poonam addressed vaccination exemptions on the basis of religion, a topic that has spiked in interest in recent weeks.

PRINZ ATTORNEYS RECOGNIZED BY BEST LAWYERS

Congratulations to Kristen Prinz on being recognized as a Best Lawyer and to Laura Lefkow-Hynes on being named One to Watch by Best Lawyers for 2022! We are proud of your hard work and dedication.

KRISTEN PRINZ QUOTED ON DEFAMATION

Kristen Prinz was quoted on an article about defamation done by Chicago Agent Magazine.

AMIT BINDRA LAUNCHES NEW NELA PODCAST

Partner Amit Bindra launched a new podcast for the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) of Illinois this year with co-host Max Barack of The Garfinkel Group.

KRISTEN PRINZ FEATURED ON WLS-AM 890

Kristen Prinz recently joined The Bruce St. James Show on WLS-AM 890 to discuss how employers can maintain safe workplaces during the pandemic while also maintaining employee privacy.

KRISTEN PRINZ RECOGNIZED AMONG LAWLINE'S BEST FACULTY

Kristen Prinz has been recognized by Lawline as one of their Top Women Faculty of 2020! Kristen presented on "COVID-19 & the ADA" and "Drafting & Negotiating Compliant Non-Compete Agreements" in 2020.

PRINZ NAMED BEST IN LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT BY GLOBAL 100

The Prinz Law Firm is proud to announce that it has been recognized among the "Best in Labour & Employment Law of the Year" for 2021 by the Global 100.

PRINZ SPONSORS DECALOGUE SOCIETY EVENT

The Prinz Law Firm sponsored the Decalogue Society of Lawyers’ 87^th Annual Instillation and Judicial Reception.

KRISTEN PRINZ ASSUMES LEADERSHIP OF IWF CHICAGO

Founder and Managing Partner Kristen Prinz has recently assumed the role of President of the Chicago chapter of the International Women's Forum (IWF).

AMIT BINDRA ON WGN RADIO 720

Partner Amit Bindra was recently invited on WGN Radio 720 to discuss Illinois’ new non-compete law, which Amit largely crafted.

PRINZ FEATURED IN BEST LAWYERS EMPLOYMENT LAW ISSUE

The Prinz Law Firm has been listed in Best Lawyers The Employment Law Issue for 2021!.

KRISTEN PRINZ QUOTED IN THE BUSINESS JOURNALS

Kristen Prinz was interviewed by The Business Journals. A national publication, on how employers should respond when employees refuse to get vaccinated.

PRINZ WELCOMES LAURA FELDMAN

The Prinz Law Firm is excited to welcome Laura Feldman to serve of counsel to the firm.

NON-COMPETE BILL LARGELY WRITTEN BY PARTNER AMIT BINDRA PASSES THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE!

The Illinois General Assembly just passed a comprehensive, bipartisan law on non-competes that was primarily authored by Prinz's very own Amit Bindra

PRINZ WELCOMES NEW ASSOCIATE ELIZABETH HANFORD!

The Prinz Law Firm is excited to welcome Elizabeth Hanford as an Associate Attorney! Elizabeth is an experienced litigator in labor and employment and civil rights law and brings a passion for solving employment challenges to her work.

ANGELIA SALGADO PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON ATTORNEY BURNOUT

Prinz Administrative Manager Angelia Salgado recently published an article on attorney burnout in Attorney at Law Magazine. Attorneys were already notorious for their long hours, but the global pandemic has exacerbated the problem. "Attorney Burnout Is on the Rise. What Can You Do About It?" provides actionable tips for both individual attorneys and law firms on how to best respond to burnout.

KRISTEN PRINZ ON WLS-AM 890

During this Mental Health Awareness Month, Kristen Prinz appeared on The Bruce St. James show on WLS-AM 890 to discuss how employers and employees can manage burnout, esp. returning to work.

CHRISTINA HYNES MESCO ON "GET DOWN TO BUSINESS" WITH SHALOM KLEIN

Christina Hynes Mesco recently discussed sexual harassment in the age of remote work on the “Get Down to Business with Shalom Klein” podcast.

POONAM LAKHANI SPEAKS ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN TECH COMPANIES

Prinz Associate Attorney Poonam Lakhani recently served as a panelist for "Tech Companies—Equal Opportunity Policies vs. Realities," part of the "Tech and Social Justice Speaker Series" hosted by Illinois Institute of Technology's Office of Community Affairs.

KRISTEN PRINZ ON WBBM-AM

Kristen Prinz recently spoke with WBBM-AM about returning to work. Kristen explained that many employers are opting for a soft ease into lessened COVID mitigation measures, including hybrid office scheduling (mixing at-home and in-office work) and retaining certain mask requirements for a time.

CHRISTINA HYNES MESCO ON THE DIGITAL WORKPLACE PODCAST

Christina Hynes Mesco joined Neil Miller of the Digital Workplace podcast for a great conversation on sexual harassment in the remote workplace.

AMIT BINDRA CO-HOST OF NEW NELA PODCAST

Prinz Partner Amit Bindra and Max Barack of the Garfinkel Group have recently launched a podcast for the Illinois chapter of the National Association of Employment Attorneys (NELA), of which Amit is an active member.

PRINZ LAW LEADS RE-OPENING ROUNDTABLE FOR INBLF

Prinz attorneys Amit Bindra, Kristen Prinz, and Christina Hynes Mesco recently led the Chicago chapter of the International Network of Boutique & Independent Law Firms (INBLF) in a roundtable discussion on re-opening law offices in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

PRINZ SPONSORS “BALLOTS BEHIND BARS”

The Prinz Law Firm is proud to sponsor "Ballots Behind Bars: A Discussion on Incarceration and Voting Rights.” This virtual panel discussion will take place on June 15th and is hosted by the Young Professionals Board of The John Howard Association (JHA), Illinois' only independent prison monitoring and reporting watchdog.

AMIT BINDRA TESTIFIES ON BILL

Partner Amit Bindra recently testified before the Labor and Commerce Committee of Illinois House of Representatives in support of Illinois House Bill 3066.

POONAM LAKHANI FEATURED ON "MONEY CHECKUP"

Prinz attorney Poonam Lakhani was recently a guest on the finance podcast "Money Checkup" with Anjali Jariwala. Poonam shared her expertise on reviewing physician employment agreements, such as how to negotiate compensation that includes RVU's and tail insurance, how to handle non-compete clauses, and how to foreseen the mechanisms that might be triggered when a physician leaves a practice.

PRINZ HIRES A NEW LAW CLERK

We are happy to announce that we have hired Alex Raynor as our new law clerk! Alex is currently attending Loyola University College of Law and is interested in employment discrimination and civil rights law.

KRISTEN PRINZ SPEAKS TO 2CIVILITY

Kristen Prinz was recently featured by 2Civility, the communications arm of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. Kristen was invited to share her thoughts on "What Women Lawyers Want in a Post-Pandemic Law Firm."

POONAM LAKHANI A PANELIST FOR CLE

Prinz attorney Poonam Lakhani served as a panelist for a CLE on "Balancing Privacy and Public Health in a Post-COVID Era." The event was sponsored by the South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of Chicago.

AMIT BINDRA OFFERS GUIDANCE TO BURGEONING PLAINTIFF'S EMPLOYMENT ATTORNEYS

Amit Bindra served on a panel geared toward law students interested in pursuing a career in plaintiff-side employment law. The panel was sponsored by the National Association of Employment Attorneys (NELA), Illinois.

KRISTEN PRINZ ON "MASTERING THE DEPOSITION"

Managing Partner Kristen Prinz recently recorded a CLE for Pincus Professional Education's "Mastering the Deposition" course. Kristen presented on "Handling the Difficult Witness and/or Opposing Counsel" and "The Online Depo." Learn Kristen's tips and tricks by clicking on the image below on the right.

BILL DRAFTED BY AMIT BINDRA IS REINTRODUCED

Partner Amit Bindra played a key role in drafting the text of Illinois House Bill 3066, which was recently reintroduced in the Illinois General Assembly. Enjoying bipartisan support, HB 3066 seeks to reform non-compete and non-solicitation litigation in Illinois. It would prohibit non-compete agreements for all employees making less than $75,000 per year and non-solicit agreements for those making less than $45,000 per year. Click below to learn more from our recently revised blog post.

KRISTEN PRINZ HONORED AS A GLOBAL WOMAN OF EXCELLENCE

Managing Partner Kristen Prinz was honored this month at the 9th Annual Congressional International Women's Day Gala as a Top 20 Global Woman of Excellence for 2021. The Gala was sponsored by Congressman Danny Davis and the American Multi-Ethnic Coalition and meant to highlight a diverse group of women who have forged a path for themselves and are uplifting other women.

THE PODCAST HAS BEEN RE-LAUNCHED!

In this episode, Kristen announces the re-launch of Tales from Around the Water Cooler, as it centers even more on workplace stories and employment law. To hear the first episode of the re-launched series, click on the image to the left.

KRISTEN PRINZ ON THE JAM

Kristen spoke with WCIU's The Jam about how women can best negotiate for themselves in the workplace. Click on the image to the left to watch the episode. Kristen's segment begins around 15:00.

KRISTEN PRINZ ON ABC7 CHICAGO

In observance of International Women's Day, Kristen Prinz spoke with ABC7 Chicago about how women can best negotiate for themselves in the workplace. Click on the image to the left to hear her tips!

PRINZ ATTORNEYS RECOGNIZED BY SUPER LAWYERS FOR 2021

We are pleased to announce that Kristen Prinz and Christina Hynes Mesco were named 2021 Super Lawyers and that Amit Bindra, Poonam Lakhani, and Laura Lefkow-Hynes were recognized as 2021 Rising Stars. Our firm is lucky to have them and their expertise!

PRINZ WELCOMES A NEW INTAKE SPECIALIST!

The team at The Prinz Law Firm is happy to welcome Grace Moore as our new Intake Specialist and Administrative Assistant! Grace provides potential clients with optimal customer service and various resources to meet their needs.

AMIT BINDRA SERVED ON PANEL OF INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYMENT ATTORNEY

Partner Amit Bindra recently served on a panel of international employment attorneys to discuss executive employment agreements at the 2021 Virtual Conference of the International Forum of Senior Executive Advisors (IFSEA), sponsored by the London-based firm CM | Murray.

KRISTEN PRINZ SHARES TIPS ON LEADERSHIP AND TEAM MANAGEMENT WITH ORION3

Managing Partner Kristen Prinz recently sat down with Benny Mathew of Orion3 to discuss her tips on developing a leadership style and managing a team, including insights from her personal experience.

CHRISTINA HYNES MESCO EXPLAINS SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION TRAINING

Prinz attorney Christina Hynes Mesco recently published an article addressing Illinois' recent mandate that all employers conduct annual sexual harassment training. "It’s #Me(Too) Again: Illinois Law Requires Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Yearly" appeared in this month's Bottom Line, a newsletter of the Illinois State Bar Association.

KRISTEN PRINZ PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON NDA'S

Kristen Prinz recently provided guidance on "NDAs & Confidentiality Agreements: What to Include and When to Enforce" for VRM Intel, a top source of industry-specific news related to the vacation rental profession.

AMIT BINDRA EXPLAINS COVID LEGAL CHANGES TO HR PROFESSIONALS

Amit Bindra served on a roundtable for the Chicago chapter of the Society of Human Resources Professionals (SHRM). The discussion topic was "Grappling With COVID-19 and Other Anticipated Law Changes in 2021: Legal & Practical Advice For Employers" and focused on employee vaccinations, work leave, and the ADA.

KRISTEN PRINZ SALUTES KENYA JENKINS-WRIGHT

Kristen Prinz recently spotlighted Kenya Jenkins-Wright, winner of the Illinois Bar Foundation's 2020 Changemaker Award in an article appearing in The Catalyst, a newsletter of the Illinois State Bar Association.

PARALEGAL OUTLINES BEST PRACTICES FOR LGBTQ INCLUSION

In a recent article, paralegal Matt Tedeschi addressed LGBTQ inclusion in employment. Using the concept of "participation" in the workplace, he focused on the thorny issue of inclusive employment policies and protections in parochial schools.

KRISTEN INSTRUCTS ATTORNEYS ON NON-COMPETES AND COVID & THE ADA

Managing Partner Kristen Prinz recently provided continuing education webinars for attorneys on the topic of "Restrictive Covenants: Legal Trends, and Negotiation and Drafting Tips" and "COVID-19, the ADA, and Healthy Workplaces." Facilitated through Lawline, excerpts from these two webinars can be found on the firm website's Videos page and on our YouTube channel.

KRISTEN PRINZ FEATURED IN THE ILLINOIS BAR JOURNAL

Managing Partner Kristen Prinz recently provided continuing education webinars for attorneys on the topic of "Restrictive Covenants: Legal Trends, and Negotiation and Drafting Tips" and "COVID-19, the ADA, and Healthy Workplaces." Facilitated through Lawline, excerpts from these two webinars can be found on the firm website's Videos page and on our YouTube channel.

KRISTEN PRINZ FEATURED IN THE ILLINOIS BAR JOURNAL

Kristen Prinz was featured in an article of the Illinois Bar Journal for her work with the firm's podcast. "Speaking into the Mic" appeared in the December 2020 issue of the IBJ and spotlighted Kristen's Tales from Around the Water Cooler podcast, which features a variety of employment stories--the good, the bad, and the ugly.

KRISTEN PRESENTS ON DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Kristen Prinz presented on diversity and inclusion for various employers through the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC). She touched upon the ethical and business case for D&I initiatives, explained some key D&I policies, and offered strategies for creating a truly inclusive workplace culture.

PRINZ WELCOMES NEW ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY LAURA LEFKOW-HYNES!

The Prinz Law Firm is happy to welcome the latest addition to our team: Laura Lefkow-Hynes as an Associate Attorney! Laura has experience with various aspects of employment litigation, and has focused on championing the legal rights of people experiencing discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

KRISTEN APPEARS ON THE SCOTT BECKER BUSINESS PODCAST

Kristen Prinz was recently welcomed to The Scott Becker Business Podcast to discuss what inspired her to create her own business, what it means to have a good business plan, the importance of culture in the workplace, advice for other business owners, and more. Click below to hear the entire conversation!

AMIT BINDRA SERVES AS WEBINAR PANELIST ON NON-COMPETES

Prinz Law Firm Partner Amit Bindra recently served as a webinar panelist for a Strafford CLE on the topic of "Negotiating Enforceable Noncompetition and Non-Solicitation Agreements: Compliance With State Statutes and Case Law."

SALUTE! WOMEN IN LAW 2020 EDITION OF CHICAGO LAWYER FEATURES KRISTEN PRINZ

Managing Partner Kristen Prinz was named a Chicago Daily Law Bulletin & Chicago Lawyer Women in Law honoree earlier this year. Now the special edition of Chicago Lawyer magazine is available, containing the profiles of all 50 exceptional women leaders in the law. Kristen is among only 10% of all nominees who were chosen by their peers for advancing women in the legal field.

AMIT BINDRA PRESENTS TO THE EXECUTIVES' CLUB

Prinz Law Firm Partner Amit Bindra presented on "Leading Negotiations" for the LEAD Program of The Executives’ Club of Chicago this month. Amit explained various negotiation theories, helped participants develop their own negotiation strategies, and even facilitated a game or two along the way!

AMIT BINDRA PRESENTS FOR KATALYST GROUP

Partner Amit Bindra recently presented a webinar on "Negotiation Tips and Advice for Executive Agreements" for executive search and placement firm Katalyst Group. Amit offered guidance on what to look for in executive employment agreements, what to ask for, and how to do it effectively.

KRISTEN PRINZ PRESENTS ON “FOSTERING A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE”

Kristen Prinz recently presented a CLE for Friendly Lawyers entitled "Fostering a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace.” The CLE examined how to make a workplace more diverse and inclusive. It highlighted the ethical and business case for diversity and inclusion (“D&I”) initiatives, guided participants in confronting their underlying biases, and offered practical tools for increasing D&I in hiring and retention. The session ended by exploring what makes a culture “healthy” and engaging.

AMIT BINDRA PRESENTS FOR THE ABA

Partner Amit Bindra recently served on a panel webinar for the American Bar Association (ABA) on "Conducting an Effective and Defensible Remote Investigation: Risks, Challenges and Solutions for Investigators and Those Who Hire Them."

ANGELIA SALGADO PUBLISHES ON MENTAL HEALTH AND RETURNING TO WORK IN HRMAC'S HR LEADER

Angelia Salgado, the firm's Administrative Manager, recently published a piece in HR Leader, the journal of HRMAC, a leading human resources organization in Chicago. Angelia addressed the difficulties of returning to work and offered concrete suggestions for how employers can support the mental health of their returning workers.

MATT TEDESCHI APPEARS ON ABC TV'S LOCALISH

Matt Tedeschi, the firm's Paralegal and Media and Marketing Manager, recently published an article in the National Catholic Reporter analyzing a recent Supreme Court case that expanded the "ministerial exception" and offering his opinion on how workers should respond.

KRISTEN PRINZ NAMED A BEST LAWYER!

Founder and Managing Partner of the firm Kristen Prinz has been named among the 2021 Best Lawyers in America! Kristen was recognized as a "Best Lawyer" in the field of Employment Law in the recently released 27th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.

AMIT BINDRA & CHRISTINA HYNES MESCO ADDRESS THE IMBLF ON EMPLOYMENT LAW & COVID

Amit and Christina addressed various topics, including safely opening up offices, onboarding, handling discrimination matters, wage and hour matters, privacy matters, ADA issues, a brief update on the recent Supreme Court decisions, and legislative updates.

AMIT BINDRA GUIDES UIC ER RESIDENTS ON NEGOTIATING EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

Amit Bindra recently presented on negotiating physician employment agreements for ER residents at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) School of Medicine. Amit has extensive experience guiding physicians, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare providers on how to best negotiate their contracts for their maximum protection and benefit.

MATT TEDESCHI'S ARTICLE ON SOCTUS EMPLOYMENT CASE APPEARS IN THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER

Matt Tedeschi, firm paralegal, recently published an article in the National Catholic Reporter analyzing a recent Supreme Court case that expanded the "ministerial exception" and offering his opinion on how workers should respond.

THE ADA IS 30 YEARS OLD!

This month marks the 30-year anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law! As employment attorneys, we know this law has helped workers across the country gain access to new frontiers, including meaningful work. We look forward to continuously creating a more accessible and equitable world for all.

KRISTEN PRINZ NOMINATED TO THE BOARD OF NEW MOMS!

Founder and Managing Partner of the firm Kristen Prinz has joined the Board of Directors of New Moms, an innovative organization dedicated to helping new mothers.

CHICAGO DEBATES ANNOUNCES AMIT BINDRA ON ASSOCIATE BOARD

Amit Bindra will once again join the Executive Associate Board of Chicago Debates, this time for the 2021-21 academic year. This will be Amit's third term as the Fundraising Committee Chair.

AMIT BINDRA SPEAKS ON NON-COMPETE AGREEMENTS

Amit Bindra recently served on a panel for a Strafford CLE live webinar on the topic of "Noncompetes Under New State Law Restrictions: Wage Requirements, Notice, Time, Layoffs, Proposed Federal Legislation." States across the U.S. have passed laws regulating non-compete agreements, but these laws are not always uniform. Amit and the other panel members discussed the implications of this legal patchwork and closed out their program with an interactive Q&A session.

POONAM LAKHANI DISCUSSES PRACTICING LAW IN THE COVID ERA WITH SABA

Prinz attorney Poonam Lakhani joined other members of the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago (SABA) for a discussion on law in the age of coronavirus. Specifically, "Life after the Curve" provided a forum for attorneys to share best practices with other practitioners on how to navigate private law practice in our current COVID-19 world.

AMIT BINDRA PRESENTS LEGAL UPDATES FOR SHRM

Amit Bindra served as part of a webinar panel informing Chicago SHRM members on recent legal updates in the workplace in the era of COVID-19. Amit focused specifically on recent changes in discrimination and harassment law and best practices for adapting to them, especially as many businesses have "gone remote."

KRISTEN PRINZ NAMED IWF CHICAGO PRESIDENT-ELECT!

Kristen Prinz has been named the President-Elect of the International Women's Forum Chicago Board of Directors. She will assume official duties as president of IWF Chicago in June of next year and serve for a one-year term. Congratulations Kristen!

WE WELCOME OUR NEW SUMMER LAW CLERK!

The firm is happy to welcome Madeline Schmidt as our new summer law clerk! Over the past four years, Madeline has served in-house as a legal assistant for one of the largest insurance brokerage firms in the United States as well as a law clerk in the technology space while she simultaneously pursued her law degree.

PRINZ CONTINUES RELEASE OF INFORMATIVE VIDEOS

We've been featuring our attorneys doing what they do best: talking about the law and how it affects both business owners and employees. Visit our Videos page for all of our latest video content.

PARALEGAL'S BLOG POST ON FACE MASKS QUOTED BY FLORIDA NEWS OUTLET

Prinz Paralegal Matt Tedeschi published two blog posts related to face masks. One of them was extensively quoted in a news article by WKMG-TV News 6 out of Orlando, FL, which explored whether face masks can be required by governmental entities or employers.

SUPPORTING YOUR EMPLOYEES’ MENTAL HEALTH AS THEY RETURN TO WORK

In this video, Kristen Prinz talks mental health and the workplace with Karen Oliver-Behee, Founder and President of on-River HR, an HR strategy and business consulting firm. Aware that the current global pandemic has had negative effects on workers’ mental health, Kristen and Karen respond to a question many employers are currently asking themselves: how can business leaders best support employees during this time of transition?

KRISTEN PRINZ NAMED A WOMEN IN LAW HONOREE!

Congratulations to Kristen Prinz for being named a Chicago Daily Law Bulletin & Chicago Lawyer Women in Law honoree! Kristen is among only 10% of all nominees who were chosen by their peers for advancing women in the legal field. Thank you for your leadership, Kristen, and congratulations to all the honorees! See them all here: https://lnkd.in/dm5RSe5

EP 37: KRISTEN PRINZ WELCOMES CHRISTY LYONS TO THE PODCAST

Kristen and Christy Lyons talk about returning to work during and after the COVID-19 pandemic from a human resources perspective in this episode of “Tales from Around the Water Cooler.” They discuss the challenges that employers face when bringing furloughed employees back to work, and strategies for making the transition back to the workplace as smooth as possible.

10KSB

Kristen Prinz recently presented to alumni of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program (“10KSB”). Kristen was a guest speaker on employment issues related to COVID-19, including the PPP and returning to workplaces.

EP 39: BUSINESS OWNERS' ROUNDTABLE: PLANS FOR RETURNING TO WORK

Kristen Prinz sits down (remotely) with President and CEO of KODO Care Chad Kodiak, Founder and CEO of Aqueity Dan Dunn, and Co-Founder and CMO of mSEED Group Anthony Standifer to talk about bringing employees back to work after weeks or months of quarantine. Tune in to the podcast to hear what these enterprising business leaders are doing to ensure a safe and productive return to work.

PRINZ LAUNCHES NEW INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS

The Prinz Law Firm continues to launch brief explanatory videos on a variety of topics. Some are inspired by common client questions, while others have grown out of our negotiation and litigation experiences. Our second video features Poonam Lakhani explaining the importance of having an employment handbook. View more videos on our YouTube channel or on our website's Videos page. Subscribe to our YouTube channel or stay tuned to our Videos page for more!

AMIT BINDRA PRESENTS FOR SHRM'S LEGAL UPDATE

Amit Bindra recently presented for Chicago SHRM at one of their Legal Update seminars. Topics included employees who refuse to come to work out of fear, workplaces accommodations, workplace safety (such as the use of PPE), privacy, and discrimination and harassment concerns.

KRISTEN PRINZ OFFERS GUIDANCE ON UNEMPLOYMENT TO IRMA

Kristen Prinz hosted a webinar for the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) on the topic of "What Employers Need to Know About Unemployment Insurance in the Age of COVID-19". Many employers had questions about navigating the unemployment system, prompting IRMA to host this informative webinar on the current state of unemployment insurance and the important nuances employers should know.

KRISTEN PRINZ OFFERS LEGAL INSIGHTS TO KENNY & KENNY

Kristen Prinz provided insights and legal considerations for employers on a call with accounting firm Kenny & Kenny P.C. She addressed the CARES act and how best to thrive during this unusual season, followed by questions from callers.

KRISTEN PRINZ SPOKE TO THE EXECUTIVES' CLUB OF CHICAGO ON “EMPLOYMENT LAW AND THE PANDEMIC.”

Kristen touched upon such topics as working from home arrangements, the new sick leave and expanded FMLA restrictions, maintaining cash flow, and protecting employees in the workplace. The talk was conducted via Zoom and open to the public.

KRISTEN PRINZ AND CHRISTINA HYNES MESCO RELEASE NEW VIDEOS

The Prinz attorneys created explanatory video shorts on employment and business law during the quarantine last month. Kristen Prinz just recently added an additional video on "What If Your Employees Make More on Unemployment Than Returning to Your Payroll?" Christina Hynes Mesco answers your questions about face masks in "Can You Be Terminated Over a Face Mask?" These videos can be found on our YouTube channel or on our website's new Videos page. Subscribe to our YouTube channel or stay tuned to our Videos page for more!

KRISTEN PRINZ INTERVIEWED BY ORION 3

Kristen Prinz recently spoke with Benny Mathew, founder of Orion3, a professional networking and information-sharing group in Chicago. Kristen and Benny discussed some considerations for employers while their employees work from home, including employee expense reimbursement and creative employer-led solutions to a disturbed workforce and cash flow. Watch their full interview here.

KRISTEN AND AMIT BEHIND THE MIC

Times are strange. In this episode of the firm's podcast, “Tales from Around the Water Cooler,” Partners Kristen Prinz and Amit Bindra share the mic for a discussion about the myriad effects of COVID-19 on businesses. From the difficulties of working from home to the anxieties with which many business-owners struggle on a daily basis, work has changed in almost every way. Kristen and Amit discuss the importance of regular communication between leaders and their employees, noting that this is a time in which everyone is seeking guidance from authority. Tune in for a candid look at the hopes, fears, and uncertainties that currently define our work life.

AMIT BINDRA QUOTED BY "GROWN IN"

Prinz Partner Amit Bindra was recently sought out for his perspective on the burgeoning cannabis industry in Illinois by "Grown In," a leading cannabis industry digital newsletter. Amit explained how working with new cannabis labor unions, specifically by signing mutual labor peace agreements, might benefit cannabis dispensaries hoping to be formally recognized by the State of Illinois. Read the entire article here.

KRISTEN PRINZ HOSTS LIVE WEBINAR ON EMPLOYMENT & COVID-19

Founder and Managing Partner Kristen Prinz recently hosted a live webinar on the topic of "Changes to Employee Status During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Compensation, Furloughs, and Layoffs." Kristen fielded common questions employers are having about the changing nature of their workplaces in the age of the Coronavirus quarantine, especially temporary downsizing. We hope to make this webinar available on our website in the coming days. Check out our blog and social media posts for ongoing updates about COVID-19-related employment issues.

PRINZ LAUNCHES NEW INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS

The Prinz Law Firm is launching brief explanatory videos on a variety of topics. Some are inspired by common client questions, while others have grown out of our negotiation and litigation experiences. Our first video is below, which you can watch on our YouTube channel or on our website's new Videos page. Subscribe to our YouTube channel or stay tuned to our Videos page for more!

KRISTEN PRINZ SPEAKS AT CONSCIOUS CAPITALISM CHICAGO

Kristen Prinz recently participated in a CEO Breakfast organized by Conscious Capitalism Chicago. "Beyond Billable Hours: How Leaders in the Consulting Sector Elevate Profit and People" focused on how local leaders have pushed their companies to reach their full potential and make the greatest positive impact on their teams, clients, and surrounding communities.

KRISTEN CHATS WITH CAROL SEMRAD

In the latest episode of “Tales from Around the Water Cooler,” Kristen sits down with Carol Semrad, principal of C. Semrad & Associates, where she provides human resources consulting for small- to medium-sized company clients.

PRINZ SPONSORS "WOMEN WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE" OF IWF CHICAGO

The Prinz Law Firm was proud to serve as a Connector Sponsor for the "Women Who Make a Difference" Signature Event of the International Women's Forum (IWF) Chicago. IWF is a global membership organization of more than 7,000 diverse and accomplished women from 33 nations on six continents.

PRINZ SPONSORS DEBATE NIGHT 2020

The Prinz Law Firm is proud to have once again sponsored Debate Night, organized by the Associate Board of Chicago Debates. Debate Night featured a silent auction, a raffle, and a live auction of prizes, including tickets for local sports teams, theaters, breweries, and more! The firm is always happy to support this important cause.

PRINZ ATTORNEYS RECEIVE SUPERLAWYERS DESIGNATIONS

Founder and Managing Partner Kristen Prinz and Prinz attorney Christina Hynes Mesco have once again been named Illinois SuperLawyers in the field of employment and labor law. Prinz attorneys Amit Bindra and Poonam Lakhani have been recognized as 2020 Rising Stars. We are proud of our attorneys' hard work!

KRISTEN PRINZ NAMED A 2020 LEADING LAWYER

Kristen Prinz was once again named a Leading Lawyer by a survey of her peers. Leading Lawyers, an attorney search service, uses surveys sent to all attorneys in the state of Illinois to choose its awardees, and less than 5% of all licensed attorneys receive the designation of Leading Lawyer. Kristen has earned the award several times in the past, and was recognized as an Emerging Lawyer before that.

AMIT BINDRA PRESENTS AT NELA SEVENTH CIRCUIT CONFERENCE

Prinz Partner Amit Bindra recently participated in the NELA/Illinois 19^th Annual Seventh Circuit Conference. He and another attorney presented on "ESI Issues in Sex Harassment Cases," analyzing how electronically stored information can best be used in employment harassment litigation.

KRISTEN PRINZ MEETS SIMON SINEK

Kristen Prinz recently met Simon Sinek, renowned motivational speaker and author of five books, including Start With Why (2009). He recently spoke about his latest book, The Infinite Game (2019). Sinek offered tips on creating workplaces that inspire employees to feel fulfilled by their work and happy to walk into the office each day.

AMIT BINDRA ADDRESSES ABA ROUNDTABLE

Prinz attorney Amit Bindra recently participated in a roundtable discussion for attorneys on employment law in reference to the change face of our economy. Sponsored by the American Bar Association (ABA), Amit's presentation touched upon legal issues relevant to the "gig economy." He focused on common questions that both employers and employees have about remote employees, including policies for tracking work time, work-related injuries, meal and rest breaks, and off-duty email and device policies.

PRINZ ATTENDS ABA'S TECHSHOW 2020

The Prinz Law Firm recently attended the ABA's TECHSHOW Conference and EXPO. The Conference offered a series of seminars on a wide variety of topics concerning the intersection of technology and the law. The EXPO featured legal technology vendors ready to show off their cutting-edge products and services. We look forward to implementing some of the things we learned!

PRINZ SPONSORS SOUTH CHICAGO DANCE THEATRE

The Prinz Law Firm is proud to once again sponsor the South Chicago Dance Theatre, a non-profit committed to bringing the art of dance to Chicago's south side. We are happy to be partnering with this bold, creative, and enriching organization!

PRINZ NOW OFFERING WORKPLACE TRAINING WEBINARS!

The Prinz Law Firm is now offering an attorney-approved webinar to satisfy the state's new sexual harassment prevention training requirement. Unlike most training webinars, ours was created by employment attorneys who represent both employers and employees, and therefore have a comprehensive, 360º understanding of the needs of the workplace. Our webinar will complement our in-person workplace trainings, which we offer on a variety of topics that can be tailored to your business and particular needs. Learn more here.

KRISTEN PRINZ ATTENDS THE 10TH WORLD LITIGATION FORUM IN DUBAI

Kristen Prinz attended the 10th World Litigation Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Forum gathered a variety of attorneys, corporate directors and executives, policymakers, and government officials from all over the world to discuss current issues faced by litigators across the globe, such as the changing role of technology in litigation, comparative forms of dispute resolution, and data privacy.

AMIT BINDRA INTERVIEWED BY "GROWN IN"

Prinz Law Firm Partner Amit Bindra was recently interviewed by "Grown In," a leading digital newsletter devoted to the cannabis industry. Amit explained how the legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois might influence workplace regulations on drug use--both on and off the job--and drug testing policies. They also discussed whether anything would change for medical marijuana users. If you would like to read the full interview, click here.

THE PRINZ TEAM ANNUAL MEETING...AND GAME NIGHT!

The team of The Prinz Law Firm recently held its annual team meeting and game night! We reviewed our goals and successes from 2019, then set new goals for 2020 and charted out the accomplishments we would like to see in the new year. We not only discussed firm objectives, but our personal and professional goals as well.

THE PRINZ LAW FIRM AMONG CHICAGO’S 19 BEST OF 2019

We are pleased to announce that The Prinz Law Firm has been named one of the top 19 employment firms in the city of Chicago in 2019! Prinz was chosen out of 665 employment attorneys in Chicago by Expertise.com, a site dedicated to connecting consumers with local experts in a wide range of service areas. Expertise analyzed Chicago employment law firms by evaluating over 25 variables across five categories: reputation, credibility, experience, availability, and professionalism.

THE FIRM HOMEPAGE HAS A NEW LOOK

We recently added a new firm video montage to our website home page. It features various shots of the team in downtown Chicago, as well as team members going about their work in the office. Click the image below to see the team in action. And stay tuned for additional videos featuring our attorneys breaking down legal concepts and answering your legal questions to be released next year!

AMIT BINDRA COMPLETES CRAIN’S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Prinz Law Firm Partner Amit Bindra recently completed the Crain's Leadership Academy. The Academy aims to help emerging professional leaders hone the skills they already have and learn to develop new ones that will allow them to maximize their leadership potential.

POONAM LAKHANI PRESENTS TO INNOVATION DUPAGE

Prinz attorney Poonam Lakhani recently hosted her second workshop for Innovation DuPage, a community of local entrepreneurs and start-ups based in DuPage County, IL. Poonam discussed various critical components of employment agreements for key employees, such as IP rights, non-competes, confidentiality, and bonus/stock awards.

WE WELCOME ASHLEY DAVIDSON, OUR NEW ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY!

We are pleased to announce the addition of a new associate attorney to The Prinz Law Firm! Ashley Davidson is no stranger to the firm, though--she served as law clerk at Prinz while she pursued her law degree at Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she graduated with a certificate in labor and employment law. Welcome, Ashley!

AMIT BINDRA PRESENTS TO THE EXECUTIVES' CLUB

Prinz Law Firm Partner Amit Bindra presented on "Leading Negotiations" for the LEAD Program of The Executives’ Club of Chicago this month. Amit explained various negotiation theories, helped participants develop their own negotiation strategies, and even facilitated a game or two along the way!

HRMAC EMPLOYEE RELATIONS PANEL

Prinz attorney Remy Snead helped organize HRMAC's recent Employee Relations interest group panel on 2019 legal changes affecting the workplace. The panel featured Prinz attorney Christina Hynes Mesco who spoke on changes in employment civil rights law in Illinois, as well as wage and hour updates.

KRISTEN PRINZ ATTENDS THE 2019 IWF WORLD LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Kristen Prinz attended the 2019 International Women's Forum World Leadership Conference in Toronto this month. The conference featured insights from women leaders at the vanguard of such fields as technology, public health, media, economics, politics, and design. Kristen is happy to support, and be supported by, other female leaders, and to bring back some of her new insights to the firm!

AMIT BINDRA PRESENTS FOR SHRM WEBINAR

Amit Bindra served as a webinar presenter for Chicago SHRM regarding recent changes to the Illinois Human Rights Act and the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act. Amit serves on Chicago SHRM's Legislative Committee and helped to explain several amendments to the two laws that will impact employers throughout the state in 2020. Participants were able to receive professional development credits for attending the webinar.

THE PRINZ LAW FIRM SPONSORED CHICAGO DEBATES TRIVIA NIGHT.

The Prinz Law Firm was proud to sponsor Trivia Night for Chicago Debates, the largest urban policy debate league in the country. Chicago Debates establishes and supports debate teams for high school and middle school students from throughout the city of Chicago. It also provides professional development opportunities for debate coaches, most of whom are classroom teachers. Congratulations to the Associate Board of Chicago Debates for supporting an important cause with a great event!

PRINZ SPONSORED THE ACLU NEXT GENERATION SOCIETY.

The Prinz Law Firm was delighted to support the ACLU of Illinois' Next Generation Society Fall Fundraiser. The event featured a raffle among other highlights, all aimed at supporting the critical human and civil rights work of the ACLU of Illinois.

PRINZ ATTORNEYS SPEAK AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF WORKPLACE INVESTIGATORS.

Kristen Prinz and Christina Hynes Mesco presented at the 2019 Association of Workplace Investigators' Annual Conference in Marina del Rey, CA. They spoke on the topic of "How to 'Believe Women' and Maintain the Integrity of Your Investigation." They taught fellow workplace investigators how to balance the objectivity required by any investigation with the critical need not to discredit the testimony of those who have suffered from workplace discrimination and harassment.

AMIT BINDRA PROVIDES AN EMPLOYMENT LAW PRIMER AT CANNABIS EXPO.

Prinz partner Amit Bindra presented on "What Every Cannabis Business Should Know about Employment Law" at the Chicago Cannabis Expo.

PRINZ LAUNCHES NEW CANNABIS WEB PAGES.

The Prinz Law Firm now has two new pages on our website to highlight our work in the burgeoning cannabis sector. "Marijuana in the Workplace" is dedicated to the challenges that businesses face in navigating the new cannabis laws, such as balancing workplace drug policies with medical cannabis laws. "Cannabis Businesses" is focused on business and regulatory issues for new dispensaries and other types of cannabis businesses. Click below to read more about each topic.

ATTORNEYS KRISTEN PRINZ AND POONAM LAKHANI ATTENDED "CONNECT AND CELEBRATE: CHICAGO SIGNATURE CONFERENCE" HOSTED BY THE WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER.

The conference featured insightful presentations, networking opportunities, a marketplace of goods from women entrepreneurs, and a "business connections meet and greet" designed to match businesses with one another that might offer mutually beneficial services.

AMIT BINDRA INTERVIEWED BY TRANSEARCH'S THE PULSE PODCAST.

Prinz attorney Amit Bindra recently appeared on The Pulse Podcast, a production of Transearch International, a global executive search firm.

THE FIRM'S 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY HIGHLIGHTED IN THE CATALYST.

Kristen was recently featured in The Catalyst, the newsletter of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Women and the Law, to discuss the 10th year anniversary of the firm.

POONAM LAKHANI HOSTS WORKSHOP ON NEW HIRES.

Prinz attorney Poonam Lakhani hosted a workshop for Innovation DuPage on "Hiring Employees and Interns: A Discussion on Employment Law."

KRISTEN PRINZ TEACHES BRAZILIAN LAW STUDENTS HOW TO START A FIRM.

Kristen recently served as adjunct faculty at Loyola University College of Law. She taught a class of visiting LLM students from the Instituto Brasileiro de Mercado de Capitais (Ibmec), a top private university in Brazil, about opening a law firm in Illinois and the necessary steps for making it thrive.

AMIT BINDRA QUOTED BY CT INNOVATIONS.

Prinz attorney Amit Bindra was recently interviewed by CT Innovations on the topic of "What You Need to Know about Non-Competes." His advice was presented alongside employment and business attorneys from across the country.

AMIT BINDRA PRESENTS TO THE SBAC.

Amit recently delivered a presentation on "Restrictive Covenants: Legal Trends, & Negotiation and Drafting Tips" for the Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC). His presentation was geared toward attorneys as part of SBAC's July CLE course for its Lawyers Community.

KRISTEN PRINZ ATTENDS THE ASPEN IDEAS FESTIVAL.

Earlier this month, Kristen attended the Aspen Ideas Festival, an annual gathering of thought leaders and change-makers from such fields as health, engineering, politics, academia, business entrepreneurship, and journalism. The insights she gained will influence how Kristen runs her firm and advises her clients.

REMY SNEAD QUOTED IN THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE.

As a result of her recent blog post on the topic, the Chicago Tribune quoted Prinz attorney Remy Snead in an article on no-match letters.

THE PRINZ LAW FIRM WAS PROUD TO SERVE RECENTLY AS A SPONSOR OF THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION SOCIETY (ACS) CHICAGO LAWYER CHAPTER’S 2019 LEGAL LEGENDS LUNCHEON AT THE UNION LEAGUE CLUB.

The Luncheon honored legal figures in Chicago who pioneer a progressive vision of the U.S. Constitution and the legal profession more broadly.

THE PRINZ LAW FIRM CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF ADVOCACY!

Kristen Prinz started a small business out of a spare bedroom a decade ago, and worked tirelessly to create the successful employment and business practice the firm has become. Surrounded by her team, family, current and former clients, and many business and legal associates, Kristen expressed gratitude for all the people who have helped the firm grow and thrive over the past 10 years.

AMIT BINDRA PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON NONCOMPETE LEGAL TRENDS.

Amit's article, "Recent Trends in Noncompete Laws Across the U.S.," was published by the American Bar Association and is available online.

KRISTEN PRINZ A NOTABLE GENX LEADER IN LAW.

Crain’s Chicago Business has once again recognized the work of Kristen Prinz. She was recently selected as one of the 2019 Notable Gen X Leaders in Law. Kristen's profile was featured in the June 3rd print edition of Crain’s Chicago Business, as well as online.

AMIT BINDRA SERVED AS A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT FOR THE 2019 CHICAGO SHRM LEGAL FORUM.

The Forum discussed HR issues such as workplace investigations, thorny FMLA and ADA issues, and various challenges in the realm of employee compensation.

KRISTEN PRINZ INTERVIEWED BY BIZCASTHQ.

Kristen was recently featured on BizCastHQ, an executive interview firm that showcases business thought leaders who share about their companies and success stories. Kristen discussed the challenges of running a law firm in today’s fast-paced environment, including staying on her toes with legal changes, using technology to stay agile, and developing as a good leader.

AMIT BINDRA PARTICIPATES IN SHRM WEBINAR.

Amit recently took part in a webinar for Chicago SHRM on the topic of "Breaking Legal News – Illinois Employment Law Updates." The webinar addressed legal recreational marijuana and workplace issues, new employer obligations to combat sexual harassment, and recent limitations on the use of mandatory arbitration agreements.

KRISTEN PRINZ RECENTLY PRESENTED ON "WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU SIGN A CONTRACT" FOR THE FELLOWS MEETING OF THE ILLINOIS MEDICAL ONCOLOGY SOCIETY.

Drawing upon her extensive experience reviewing physician contracts and negotiating physician employment matters, Kristen was able to offer new doctors practical advice that can be crucial when negotiating one's first, full-time professional position.

WE WELCOME OUR NEW SUMMER LAW CLERK!

Our office is happy to welcome a new summer law clerk, Mahlet Reda. Mahlet originally hails from Ethiopia and is currently enrolled in her second year at The John Marshall Law School, where she is the social media coordinator for the Corporate Law Society and a member of the Black Law Students Association. We look forward to an exciting summer with Mahlet!

THE PRINZ LAW FIRM PROUDLY SERVED AS A SILVER SPONSOR OF "A TOAST TO JUSTICE," THE ANNUAL FUNDRAISER ORGANIZED BY THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD OF THE JOHN HOWARD ASSOCIATION.

The John Howard Association is Illinois' only independent prison monitoring and reporting watchdog. This year's "Toast" featured a fascinating and insightful Q&A panel with two formerly incarcerated men.

KRISTEN PRINZ PARTICIPATED IN THE "VISIONARIES AND VOYAGERS" CORNERSTONE CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S FORUM IN BARCELONA, SPAIN.

This conference is held annually in a country outside of North America that plays a critical role in global issues. The gathering focuses on women's creativity and innovation, providing female leaders a unique space in which to learn from and influence one another.

KRISTEN PRINZ PARTICIPATED IN A PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE TOPIC OF "OVERCOMING OBSTACLES AT EVERY STAGE IN YOUR LEGAL CAREER."

The panel was part of the Working Women's Legal Summit, hosted by the Chicago Bar Association as part of its Women's History Month celebration.

THE PRINZ LAW FIRM IS HAPPY TO SERVE AS A 2018-2019 PARTNER WITH THE SOUTH CHICAGO DANCE THEATRE.

The South Chicago Dance Theatre is a bold new dance company drawing upon the lively culture of the south side of Chicago, while adding its own unique contributions to it.

AMIT BINDRA AND CHRISTINA HYNES MESCO PRESENTED ON "RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS: LEGAL TRENDS, AND NEGOTIATION AND DRAFTING TIPS" FOR THE ANNUAL SEVENTH CIRCUIT CONFERENCE HOSTED BY THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (NELA) OF ILLINOIS.

This presentation provided continuing legal education (CLE) credits for licensed attorneys.

KRISTEN PRINZ DELIVERED A TALK ON "WHY WOMEN ARE THE BEST NEGOTIATORS" FOR THE VACATION RENTAL WOMEN’S SUMMIT

Kristen debunked common negative stereotypes about women and negotiations, and revealed how being underestimated can be used to women's benefit. This event was sponsored by VRM Intel and the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA).

THE PRINZ LAW FIRM SPONSORED "DEBATE NIGHT AT THE DAWSON."

This fundraising event is hosted by the Associate Board of Chicago Debates, a nonprofit group dedicated to fostering the debate skills of students of the Chicago Public Schools.

KRISTEN PRINZ PRESENTED TO THE WOMEN’S BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AT THE GLOBAL HUB OF NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY’S KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT’S ON “OVERCOMING FAILURE, DISAPPOINTMENT, AND REJECTION.”

The presentation was aimed at helping graduate students in business who are in the recruiting pipeline for internships and new jobs.

PRINZ ATTORNEYS RECOGNIZED AS SUPER LAWYERS!

Super Lawyers magazine has named Kristen Prinz a 2019 Illinois Super Lawyer and has recognized Prinz attorneys Amit Bindra and Poonam Lakhani as 2019 Illinois Rising Stars in the field of employment law.

12/5 CHRISTINA HYNES MESCO WILL SERVE AS A PANELIST FOR THE WOMEN IN LAW CONFERENCE ON DECEMBER 5TH AT THE UNIVERSITY CLUB OF CHICAGO.

Hosted by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Magazine, the conference will provide a "moderated discussion with some of the most powerful women in Chicago's legal profession as we explore leadership, strategies for success and how to influence outcomes." Registration is limited, so sign up soon!

12/3 PARTNER AMIT BINDRA RECENTLY PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE CONCERNING A SUPREME COURT CASE RULING THAT THE NLRA DOES NOT INVALIDATE CLASS ACTION ARBITRATION WAIVERS.

His piece is entitled, "The Aftermath of Epic Systems v. Lewis" and appears on the ABA’s website.

11/28 KRISTEN PRINZ RECENTLY PENNED AN OP-ED ON THE GENDER PAY GAP IN CRAIN'S CHICAGO.

Read her analysis on the causes of the pay gap, and the long-term effects it can have on women's financial security.

11/28 AMIT BINDRA IS SPEAKING IN A STRAFFORD LIVE WEBINAR, "DRAFTING ENFORCEABLE NONCOMPETE AND NON-SOLICITATION AGREEMENTS: COMPLIANCE WITH NEW STATE STATUTES AND CASE LAW."

This CLE webinar will discuss recent legislative and case law trends regarding noncompete and non-solicitation agreements, offer best practices for structuring permissible contracts, and explain how to determine whether existing agreements are lawful.

11/13 CHRISTINA HYNES MESCO RECENTLY SPOKE ON A PANEL WITH STEPHANIE SCHARF FOR THE JOINT MEETING OF THE CHICAGO ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATORS (CALPA) AND CHICAGO AREA LAW SCHOOL CONSORTIUM (CALSC).

Their talk was entitled "Legal Recruiting & Professional Development in the #MeToo Movement Era," and explored how legal employers and law schools can become part of the national conversation around sexual harassment.

CHRISTINA HYNES MESCO SPOKE ON THE TOPIC OF "CULTURE AS A BUSINESS RESPONSE TO THE #METOO MOVEMENT " FOR THE PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS EXCHANGE.

11/1 - PRINZ LAW FIRM ATTORNEYS KRISTEN PRINZ AND CHRISTINA HYNES MESCO WILL PRESENT ON WORKPLACE HARASSMENT AT THE 10TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON FUTURES AND DERIVATIVES.

The conference is a day-long program featuring topics of interest for compliance officers, in house counsel, regulators, and accountants working in the financial industry. It also provides an opportunity for these professionals to network.

10/19 PRINZ LAW FIRM PARTNER AMIT BINDRA PRESENTED ON "LEADING NEGOTIATIONS" FOR THE LEAD PROGRAM OF THE EXECUTIVES’ CLUB OF CHICAGO.

This CLE webinar will discuss recent legislative and case law trends regarding noncompete and non-solicitation agreements, offer best practices for structuring permissible contracts, and explain how to determine whether existing agreements are lawful.

10/15 WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE ADDITION OF A NEW ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY TO THE PRINZ LAW FIRM!

Remy Snead received her law degree cum laude from Indiana University Maurer School of Law. She concentrated her legal studies on labor and employment law, with a focus on alternative dispute resolution.

10/4 THE FIRM'S CHRISTIAN HYNES MESCO GAVE A PRESENTATION ON "HOW TO AVOID LEGAL LANDMINES: EMPLOYMENT LAW PERSPECTIVES AND TECHNIQUES FOR BUSINESS OWNERS AND EXECUTIVES" TO THENAPERVILLE BUSINESS NETWORK.

9/25 - KRISTEN MAKES A GUEST APPEARANCE ON DANTE32'S "FROM THE BEGINNING" PODCAST

Kristen chats with the founders of Dante32, a podcast production company, about why she started a podcast, the challenge of being vulnerable and authentic when you hold a position of stature, and the benefits of jumping in and getting started even if you’re unsure of yourself.

9/20 - THE LEGAL 4-1-1 ON THE 420: WHAT EMPLOYERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MEDICAL CANNABIS

Kristen Prinz recently gave a talk to the ISBA on “The Legal 4-1-1 on the 420: What Employers Need to Know about Medical Cannabis.” She helped other legal advocates feel better prepared to guide employers who are wondering how The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act might affect their workplaces.

8/30 - PRINZ LAW FIRM RECOGNIZED AS WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (WBE)

The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) recently recognized The Prinz Law Firm as a "Women's Business Enterprise (WBE)," meaning Prinz is now validated as "women-owned, operated, and controlled!"

8/24 - KRISTEN PRINZ NAMED ONE OF CHICAGO'S 2018 NOTABLE WOMEN LAWYERS

Kristen has once again been recognized by Crain's Chicago. She was recently named ones of Chicago's Notable Women Lawyers for 2018! Read HERE.

8/22 - KRISTEN PRESENTED ON NEGOTIATING EMPLOYMENT TRANSITIONS FOR THE EXECUTIVES’ CLUB OF CHICAGO LEGAL FORUM.

8/18 - FIRM PARTNER AMIT BINDRA IS SHARING HIS PASSION FOR APPELLATE LEGAL WRITING BY TEACHING A NEW COURSE AT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO’S LAW SCHOOL CALLED “ADVOCACY: LEGAL WRITING.”

7/31 - KRISTEN GAVE A TALK ENTITLED, “RAISE YOUR VALUE AND GET WHAT YOU ARE WORTH – PLUS TAX!” TO THE FEMALE FOUNDERS FORUM.

3/13 - AMIT BINDRA PUBLISHES NEW ARTICLE

Prinz partner, Amit Bindra, recently published Recent Trends in Non-Compete Laws Across the U.S. for the American Bar Association's Employment & Labor Relations Law sectionNews and Events. Full article can be read HERE.

1/31 - ATTORNEY AMIT BINDRA NAMED A PARTNER AT THE PRINZ LAW FIRM

We are thrilled to name Amit Bindra as Partner. Since 2012, he has served Prinz clients with compassion and integrity. For the last three years, he has been recognized by Illinois Super Lawyers Magazine as a Rising Star. Amit will continue to make a valuable contribution to our positive work culture while advocating for clients and running marathons.

1/13 – KRISTEN PRINZ INTERVIEWED ABOUT HARASSMENT IN A WORK PLACE

Date: Saturday, January 13th, 2018 Host: CLTV

As sexual harassment still dominates the national conversation, Kristen Prinz, from The Prinz Law Firm, shares her thoughts and expertise on the topic, especially as it applies to the workplace. Kristen was interviewed on CLTV which aired on Saturday, January 13th, 2018.

Check out the interview here.

1/10 – PRINZ LAW FIRM INTERVIEWS MELLODY HOBSON

Date: Wednesday, January 10th, 2018 Time: n/a Location: The Prinz Law Firm's Twitter Feed RSVP: n/a Host: Kristen Prinz from The Prinz Law Firm

The Prinz Law Firm’s very own Kristen Prinz interviewed with Economic Club of Chicago Chair Mellody Hobson at ECC’s Fireside Chat on Wednesday, January 10^th. Mellody is currently the president of Ariel Investments and the current chair of the Board of Directors of DreamWorks Animation. In the Fireside Chat, Mellody highlighted the importance of diversity and how to implement diversity in the boardroom.

“It takes a spark to start a fire, and here’s the thing: anyone can be that spark.” – Mellody Hobson

Check out The Prinz Law Firm's Twitter Feed

10/20 – SSPI WORKSHOP – NEGOTIATION STRATEGIES: GETTING TO A CLIENT’S BEST OUTCOME THROUGH RESEARCH, PLANNING & EXECUTION

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017 Time: 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM Location: CK, Room 580 RSVP: By October 24 Host: Chicago Kent Law School

Negotiation is a part of day-to-day life. From discussing with a spouse about where to go to dinner to haggling with a salesperson in a car lot, we are all negotiators of varying degree and skill, and most of us actually like the game of negotiation. Some so much so, they decide to become lawyers, the negotiators of the legal world.

Attorneys must be able to negotiate reliably, intelligently, ethically, and within strict legal boundaries to reduce contests between parties, encourage cooperation, and convert arguments into deals that benefit everyone, especially their own client. By some academic estimates, an attorney relies on some form of negotiation in 90% of all legal matters.

An upcoming SSPI workshop will be presented by Attorney Kristen Prinz, founder and managing partner of The Prinz Law Firm, to help lawyers get a better comprehension of negotiation, and therefore become better negotiators themselves. Points of conversation discussed in the workshop will include outlining the basics of negotiation, identifying where you could improve as a negotiator, using alternative solutions or proposals to gain an advantage, the importance of creativity in negotiations, and overcoming difficulties.

Veteran litigators, seasoned mentors, and up-and-coming lawyers alike are all invited to the workshop. To learn more about the workshop, or Attorney Prinz’s experience as a skilled legal negotiator, contact The Prinz Law Firm today.

8/2 - KRISTEN PRINZ IS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN LAWYERS IN CHICAGO

Employment lawyer and business counselor, Kristen Prinz, was honored as one of the Most Influential Women Lawyers by Crain's Chicago Business. She was recognized for promoting diversity, integrity and creativity within her firm, and providing her clients with outstanding service and representation. See her listing here: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/most-influential/women-lawyers/kprinz.html