Ethan Zelizer
N/A
Licensed for 18 years
Law Degree
Awards
Primary Practice Area
Employment & Labor
Language
English
About
Ethan G. Zelizer is a nationally respected employment and labor law attorney, senior certified human resources professional and a certified labor relations professional, based in Chicago, Illinois. Ethan has extensive experience working with both management and employees.He has extensive experience representing and advising employers in various industries including financial services, aerospace, manufacturing, and food distribution, in all aspects of labor and employment law. He regularly appears before federal and state courts, federal arbitration panels, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and the Human Rights Commission. Ethan specializes in compliance with non-competition agreements and other restrictive covenants. He regularly appears in federal and state courts across the country to litigate non-competition, non-solicitation, and trade secret misappropriation matters. Ethan has expertise with federal, state and local anti-discrimination laws as well as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Illinois Minimum Wage Law, the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Older Workers Benefits Protection Act, the National Labor Relations Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act.He also assists clients with issues relating to:* Corporate reorganizations* Reductions-in-force* Mergers and acquisitions * Drug and alcohol policies and issues* Employee handbooks and policies* Union grievances and unfair labor charges* Social media issuesAlthough Ethan represents clients in all industries, he is an industry-specialist in finanical services, logistics, pharmaceuticals and aerospace. Ethan teaches Labor and Employment law and Negotiations at Loyola University Chicago and coaches the University's Negotiations Team. He regularly speaks on a variety of employment law topics for clients and organizations and has given presentations on employee misclassification issues and harassment training, among other issues. Ethan has held various offices for the Chicago and American Bar Associations and serves as an editor on bar and industry-related publications. Ethan loves what he does and loves doing it better today than yesterday. He's a dad to three beautiful children, husband to an amazing wife & an employment lawyer. He helps employers and employees solve all sorts of legal problems.
Practices Areas
Sexual Harassment
Employment and labor
Wrongful termination
Language
English
Contact
Reviews
I first met Ethan in late 2016 due to a breach of employment contract. I was a President recruited to turnaround a recently acquired subsidiary in the market where I lived. The contract contained a back-end LTI on sale of company, which was to occur in 18-24 months. After much of the heavy lifting completed over 8 months, the company decided to switch gears: and demanded I take a reduction in pay, title and cancellation of the LTI. I said no, and was terminated. I carefully reviewed my employment contract, and started searching for legal advice. Ethan's positive review history led to our initial phone call. After the first call and subsequent live meeting, Ethan put himself in my shoes; and "walked the walk". He explained his own personal experiences that aligned very closely with my own. He helped me through the disbelief, anger, and loss of self-worth I was feeling. The communication was excellent via phone, text, and email, and Ethan was almost always available when I needed him. He was very careful to explain legal jargon and options, and had unwavering support for me. After months of negotiating across multiple venues in 2 states, Ethan was able to negotiate a settlement on my behalf. My family and I are so appreciative of Ethan's efforts, and would highly recommend him to anyone that needs his services. He's the big brother you need to stand up for you.
Ethan represented me against my former employer who I alleged discriminated against me. I was a Junior VP, an 8-year employee, and I was shattered. Quite honestly, I had no idea how I was going to get back on my feet. Within days, he had written the company with a very detailed letter explaining what they had done, why it was illegal, and what his firm planned to do about it. Days later, the Company was putting a significant amount of money on the table to make this "all go away." The settlement was very fair. However, the way Ethan treated me was really what mattered. He coached me and helped me get my confidence back. He actually did a mock interview with me so we could practice how I would spin what happened at the prior company. He didn't need to do that. He didn't need to review my resume. He didn't need to call me back on the weekends AFTER the settlement had closed to make see how my interviews went. This is how you want to be treated. This is what having an attorney should feel like. I will trust Ethan with just about any legal issue for the rest of my years and recommend him to everybody I know. He's the real deal.
I would highly recommend Ethan Zelizer as an attorney. I was recently let go wrongfully by my employer and was looking for legal advice so I called HR Counsel. I was contacted promptly and greeted with empathy and professionalism. Ethan was very thorough and honest with me regarding my situation and finding any and all possible solutions to my legal concerns. I appreciated how compassionate he was in educating me on my options and how the law dictates what was and was not a possibility while being straightforward, optimistic, and most importantly honest about my odds. Though my case is not something I can legally pursue despite the unethical actions of my previous employer, Ethan went out of his way to go above and beyond analyzing my case. I would recommend him and his practice tenfold to anyone looking for an employment and labor law attorney.
Roughly 6 months after finishing cancer treatment, I was assigned to a high-profile project without sufficient resources allocated. After months of workarounds, I found myself in some uncomfortable conversations with HR, and ultimately my physician recommended taking a personal medical leave. Ethan kindly and promptly took my consultation to talk me through FMLA rights, and what to document and be aware of upon my return (role changes, passed for promotions). With his guidance, I not only felt safe taking time away from work but also am educated/aware of appropriate workplace conduct when using disability benefits.
Ethan is a very thorough and competent professional. I gave notice to my company that I was leaving for a competitor and two days before my last day, the Company decided to take issue with where I was going. They tried to have me sign various documents before I left that would encumber my ability to work. They claimed that I had already signed documents years ago but they could not produce them to me. Ethan immediately got involved and in a professional manner, he worked with the Company's attorney to work out an exit plan. He also spoke with my new employer to make sure that they knew what was going on and that the matter was being handled. Most importantly, he made sure that both companies were comfortable with my actions and knew that I acted with integrity. I felt he always had my best interest in mind. It is my privilege to recommend Ethan Zelizer, a phenomenal lawyer, who delivered a good result. Tremendous value. He practices the best client service methods. 5 stars.
Ethan was professional, responsive, and understanding of my legal issues. Ethan resolved my issues promptly and efficiently, which I very much appreciated. Being a lawyer myself, I understand how important it is to find a lawyer who has both fantastic legal skills and empathy- Ethan has both. Ethan connects with his clients because he truly cares about helping them through their legal issues. I would recommend Ethan to anyone with an employment law issue. Ethan went above and beyond by also giving me tips and offering to help in any way possible with starting my new law firm!
I recently consulted with Ethan on the exit package I received from my employer. Ethan was very honest and open with me during our initial call and even did a quick review without a fee. Had I decided to pursue negotiation with my employer, I would have hired Ethan. I will not hesitate referring him to friends and colleagues.
Ethan came highly recommended by a friend who works at a large law firm and had sent his own sister to Ethan for representation. This matter went far longer than I expected. What I thought would be a simple exit negotiation turned into a dogfight because my previous employer would not waive my non-compete. Ethan suggested we challenge its validity and pursue a compensation claim based on my initial contract. We fought for nearly 9 months -- during COVID! During that time, I received outstanding legal counsel, excellent customer service, and peace of mind. I was always able to reach Ethan either by phone, email or even text and he told me when I would need to be patient because he had other matters to attend to. We were able to invalidate my non-compete and significantly increase my severance due to contractual issues that Ethan was on top of from day one. There is a reason why Ethan is so highly-regarded. I am ready to refer anybody his way.
Ethan provided me with advice on a separation agreement with a former employer in the financial services industry. He was diligent and detailed in reviewing each paragraph of the agreement and various equity documents and renegotiated a significantly better non-solicitation and exit-package based on what we believed to be an unlawful termination. I enjoyed working with him and appreciated his quick responses, updates, advice and timely follow-up. He has strong negotiations skills and is passionate about his work. I interviewed lawyers from a few top law firms and Ethan stood out among his peers with his client-focused, proactive and results-oriented approach.
If you're like me, you're reading the 100% five-star reviews and you're skeptical. Something has to be wrong. I'm here to tell you that Ethan really is as good as it gets. I was in a dispute after leaving my high-level position in a small company. The situation was very complex and a bit nasty. There were several competing interests, lots of drama, and different leverage points. Ethan was a master at navigating the law - but I was even more impressed with his negotiating prowess. He quickly identified the various stakeholders and their leverage points and isolated the best move forward. Ethan is extremely savvy and persuasive. He's an aggressive advocate for his clients and will fight for them. I felt good having Ethan on my side. I consulted some other lawyers regarding the same issues, and Ethan blew them all away. Would give 6 stars if I could.
I first met Ethan in late 2016 due to a breach of employment contract. I was a President recruited to turnaround a recently acquired subsidiary in the market where I lived. The contract contained a back-end LTI on sale of company, which was to occur in 18-24 months. After much of the heavy lifting completed over 8 months, the company decided to switch gears: and demanded I take a reduction in pay, title and cancellation of the LTI. I said no, and was terminated. I carefully reviewed my employment contract, and started searching for legal advice. Ethan's positive review history led to our initial phone call. After the first call and subsequent live meeting, Ethan put himself in my shoes; and "walked the walk". He explained his own personal experiences that aligned very closely with my own. He helped me through the disbelief, anger, and loss of self-worth I was feeling. The communication was excellent via phone, text, and email, and Ethan was almost always available when I needed him. He was very careful to explain legal jargon and options, and had unwavering support for me. After months of negotiating across multiple venues in 2 states, Ethan was able to negotiate a settlement on my behalf. My family and I are so appreciative of Ethan's efforts, and would highly recommend him to anyone that needs his services. He's the big brother you need to stand up for you.
Ethan represented me against my former employer who I alleged discriminated against me. I was a Junior VP, an 8-year employee, and I was shattered. Quite honestly, I had no idea how I was going to get back on my feet. Within days, he had written the company with a very detailed letter explaining what they had done, why it was illegal, and what his firm planned to do about it. Days later, the Company was putting a significant amount of money on the table to make this "all go away." The settlement was very fair. However, the way Ethan treated me was really what mattered. He coached me and helped me get my confidence back. He actually did a mock interview with me so we could practice how I would spin what happened at the prior company. He didn't need to do that. He didn't need to review my resume. He didn't need to call me back on the weekends AFTER the settlement had closed to make see how my interviews went. This is how you want to be treated. This is what having an attorney should feel like. I will trust Ethan with just about any legal issue for the rest of my years and recommend him to everybody I know. He's the real deal.
I would highly recommend Ethan Zelizer as an attorney. I was recently let go wrongfully by my employer and was looking for legal advice so I called HR Counsel. I was contacted promptly and greeted with empathy and professionalism. Ethan was very thorough and honest with me regarding my situation and finding any and all possible solutions to my legal concerns. I appreciated how compassionate he was in educating me on my options and how the law dictates what was and was not a possibility while being straightforward, optimistic, and most importantly honest about my odds. Though my case is not something I can legally pursue despite the unethical actions of my previous employer, Ethan went out of his way to go above and beyond analyzing my case. I would recommend him and his practice tenfold to anyone looking for an employment and labor law attorney.
Roughly 6 months after finishing cancer treatment, I was assigned to a high-profile project without sufficient resources allocated. After months of workarounds, I found myself in some uncomfortable conversations with HR, and ultimately my physician recommended taking a personal medical leave. Ethan kindly and promptly took my consultation to talk me through FMLA rights, and what to document and be aware of upon my return (role changes, passed for promotions). With his guidance, I not only felt safe taking time away from work but also am educated/aware of appropriate workplace conduct when using disability benefits.
Ethan is a very thorough and competent professional. I gave notice to my company that I was leaving for a competitor and two days before my last day, the Company decided to take issue with where I was going. They tried to have me sign various documents before I left that would encumber my ability to work. They claimed that I had already signed documents years ago but they could not produce them to me. Ethan immediately got involved and in a professional manner, he worked with the Company's attorney to work out an exit plan. He also spoke with my new employer to make sure that they knew what was going on and that the matter was being handled. Most importantly, he made sure that both companies were comfortable with my actions and knew that I acted with integrity. I felt he always had my best interest in mind. It is my privilege to recommend Ethan Zelizer, a phenomenal lawyer, who delivered a good result. Tremendous value. He practices the best client service methods. 5 stars.
Ethan was professional, responsive, and understanding of my legal issues. Ethan resolved my issues promptly and efficiently, which I very much appreciated. Being a lawyer myself, I understand how important it is to find a lawyer who has both fantastic legal skills and empathy- Ethan has both. Ethan connects with his clients because he truly cares about helping them through their legal issues. I would recommend Ethan to anyone with an employment law issue. Ethan went above and beyond by also giving me tips and offering to help in any way possible with starting my new law firm!
I recently consulted with Ethan on the exit package I received from my employer. Ethan was very honest and open with me during our initial call and even did a quick review without a fee. Had I decided to pursue negotiation with my employer, I would have hired Ethan. I will not hesitate referring him to friends and colleagues.
Ethan came highly recommended by a friend who works at a large law firm and had sent his own sister to Ethan for representation. This matter went far longer than I expected. What I thought would be a simple exit negotiation turned into a dogfight because my previous employer would not waive my non-compete. Ethan suggested we challenge its validity and pursue a compensation claim based on my initial contract. We fought for nearly 9 months -- during COVID! During that time, I received outstanding legal counsel, excellent customer service, and peace of mind. I was always able to reach Ethan either by phone, email or even text and he told me when I would need to be patient because he had other matters to attend to. We were able to invalidate my non-compete and significantly increase my severance due to contractual issues that Ethan was on top of from day one. There is a reason why Ethan is so highly-regarded. I am ready to refer anybody his way.
Ethan provided me with advice on a separation agreement with a former employer in the financial services industry. He was diligent and detailed in reviewing each paragraph of the agreement and various equity documents and renegotiated a significantly better non-solicitation and exit-package based on what we believed to be an unlawful termination. I enjoyed working with him and appreciated his quick responses, updates, advice and timely follow-up. He has strong negotiations skills and is passionate about his work. I interviewed lawyers from a few top law firms and Ethan stood out among his peers with his client-focused, proactive and results-oriented approach.
If you're like me, you're reading the 100% five-star reviews and you're skeptical. Something has to be wrong. I'm here to tell you that Ethan really is as good as it gets. I was in a dispute after leaving my high-level position in a small company. The situation was very complex and a bit nasty. There were several competing interests, lots of drama, and different leverage points. Ethan was a master at navigating the law - but I was even more impressed with his negotiating prowess. He quickly identified the various stakeholders and their leverage points and isolated the best move forward. Ethan is extremely savvy and persuasive. He's an aggressive advocate for his clients and will fight for them. I felt good having Ethan on my side. I consulted some other lawyers regarding the same issues, and Ethan blew them all away. Would give 6 stars if I could.
I first met Ethan in late 2016 due to a breach of employment contract. I was a President recruited to turnaround a recently acquired subsidiary in the market where I lived. The contract contained a back-end LTI on sale of company, which was to occur in 18-24 months. After much of the heavy lifting completed over 8 months, the company decided to switch gears: and demanded I take a reduction in pay, title and cancellation of the LTI. I said no, and was terminated. I carefully reviewed my employment contract, and started searching for legal advice. Ethan's positive review history led to our initial phone call. After the first call and subsequent live meeting, Ethan put himself in my shoes; and "walked the walk". He explained his own personal experiences that aligned very closely with my own. He helped me through the disbelief, anger, and loss of self-worth I was feeling. The communication was excellent via phone, text, and email, and Ethan was almost always available when I needed him. He was very careful to explain legal jargon and options, and had unwavering support for me. After months of negotiating across multiple venues in 2 states, Ethan was able to negotiate a settlement on my behalf. My family and I are so appreciative of Ethan's efforts, and would highly recommend him to anyone that needs his services. He's the big brother you need to stand up for you.
Ethan represented me against my former employer who I alleged discriminated against me. I was a Junior VP, an 8-year employee, and I was shattered. Quite honestly, I had no idea how I was going to get back on my feet. Within days, he had written the company with a very detailed letter explaining what they had done, why it was illegal, and what his firm planned to do about it. Days later, the Company was putting a significant amount of money on the table to make this "all go away." The settlement was very fair. However, the way Ethan treated me was really what mattered. He coached me and helped me get my confidence back. He actually did a mock interview with me so we could practice how I would spin what happened at the prior company. He didn't need to do that. He didn't need to review my resume. He didn't need to call me back on the weekends AFTER the settlement had closed to make see how my interviews went. This is how you want to be treated. This is what having an attorney should feel like. I will trust Ethan with just about any legal issue for the rest of my years and recommend him to everybody I know. He's the real deal.
I would highly recommend Ethan Zelizer as an attorney. I was recently let go wrongfully by my employer and was looking for legal advice so I called HR Counsel. I was contacted promptly and greeted with empathy and professionalism. Ethan was very thorough and honest with me regarding my situation and finding any and all possible solutions to my legal concerns. I appreciated how compassionate he was in educating me on my options and how the law dictates what was and was not a possibility while being straightforward, optimistic, and most importantly honest about my odds. Though my case is not something I can legally pursue despite the unethical actions of my previous employer, Ethan went out of his way to go above and beyond analyzing my case. I would recommend him and his practice tenfold to anyone looking for an employment and labor law attorney.
Roughly 6 months after finishing cancer treatment, I was assigned to a high-profile project without sufficient resources allocated. After months of workarounds, I found myself in some uncomfortable conversations with HR, and ultimately my physician recommended taking a personal medical leave. Ethan kindly and promptly took my consultation to talk me through FMLA rights, and what to document and be aware of upon my return (role changes, passed for promotions). With his guidance, I not only felt safe taking time away from work but also am educated/aware of appropriate workplace conduct when using disability benefits.
Ethan is a very thorough and competent professional. I gave notice to my company that I was leaving for a competitor and two days before my last day, the Company decided to take issue with where I was going. They tried to have me sign various documents before I left that would encumber my ability to work. They claimed that I had already signed documents years ago but they could not produce them to me. Ethan immediately got involved and in a professional manner, he worked with the Company's attorney to work out an exit plan. He also spoke with my new employer to make sure that they knew what was going on and that the matter was being handled. Most importantly, he made sure that both companies were comfortable with my actions and knew that I acted with integrity. I felt he always had my best interest in mind. It is my privilege to recommend Ethan Zelizer, a phenomenal lawyer, who delivered a good result. Tremendous value. He practices the best client service methods. 5 stars.
Ethan was professional, responsive, and understanding of my legal issues. Ethan resolved my issues promptly and efficiently, which I very much appreciated. Being a lawyer myself, I understand how important it is to find a lawyer who has both fantastic legal skills and empathy- Ethan has both. Ethan connects with his clients because he truly cares about helping them through their legal issues. I would recommend Ethan to anyone with an employment law issue. Ethan went above and beyond by also giving me tips and offering to help in any way possible with starting my new law firm!
I recently consulted with Ethan on the exit package I received from my employer. Ethan was very honest and open with me during our initial call and even did a quick review without a fee. Had I decided to pursue negotiation with my employer, I would have hired Ethan. I will not hesitate referring him to friends and colleagues.
Ethan came highly recommended by a friend who works at a large law firm and had sent his own sister to Ethan for representation. This matter went far longer than I expected. What I thought would be a simple exit negotiation turned into a dogfight because my previous employer would not waive my non-compete. Ethan suggested we challenge its validity and pursue a compensation claim based on my initial contract. We fought for nearly 9 months -- during COVID! During that time, I received outstanding legal counsel, excellent customer service, and peace of mind. I was always able to reach Ethan either by phone, email or even text and he told me when I would need to be patient because he had other matters to attend to. We were able to invalidate my non-compete and significantly increase my severance due to contractual issues that Ethan was on top of from day one. There is a reason why Ethan is so highly-regarded. I am ready to refer anybody his way.
Ethan provided me with advice on a separation agreement with a former employer in the financial services industry. He was diligent and detailed in reviewing each paragraph of the agreement and various equity documents and renegotiated a significantly better non-solicitation and exit-package based on what we believed to be an unlawful termination. I enjoyed working with him and appreciated his quick responses, updates, advice and timely follow-up. He has strong negotiations skills and is passionate about his work. I interviewed lawyers from a few top law firms and Ethan stood out among his peers with his client-focused, proactive and results-oriented approach.
If you're like me, you're reading the 100% five-star reviews and you're skeptical. Something has to be wrong. I'm here to tell you that Ethan really is as good as it gets. I was in a dispute after leaving my high-level position in a small company. The situation was very complex and a bit nasty. There were several competing interests, lots of drama, and different leverage points. Ethan was a master at navigating the law - but I was even more impressed with his negotiating prowess. He quickly identified the various stakeholders and their leverage points and isolated the best move forward. Ethan is extremely savvy and persuasive. He's an aggressive advocate for his clients and will fight for them. I felt good having Ethan on my side. I consulted some other lawyers regarding the same issues, and Ethan blew them all away. Would give 6 stars if I could.