Law and the Workplace
Photo of Edward Young

Edward Young

Senior Counsel
+1.312.962.3595

Edward “Eddie” C. Young is a senior counsel in the Labor & Employment Law Department and a member of the following Firm practice groups: Restrictive Covenants & Trade Secrets; Discrimination, Harassment & Title VII; and Whistleblowing & Retaliation.

Eddie represents employers in all aspects of employment law, with a concentration on litigating complex employment disputes of all types before federal and state courts throughout the country, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, state and local human rights commissions and arbitral tribunals (e.g., FINRA and AAA).  In particular, Eddie has successfully litigated employment-related disputes alleging breach of non-compete agreements, theft of trade secrets, discrimination, sexual harassment, whistleblower retaliation, wage and hour violations, including employee misclassification claims, breach of contract, defamation, fraud and other business-related torts.  Eddie has obtained a world-wide injunction to enforce a client’s non-competition restriction on a former executive, successfully defended a client through summary judgment and appeal against retaliation claims brought by a former General Counsel, represented Fortune 500 companies in defense of high-profile harassment claims associated with the #metoo movement, and provided representation to several professional sports leagues.  He also has significant appellate experience, including successfully representing clients before the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the First, Second and Seventh Circuits, as well as before the United States Supreme Court.  Eddie often draws on his litigation experience to help clients avoid the courtroom by effectuating positive change in the workplace through impactful training, counseling and developing robust employment policies.

Working in a wide range of industries, Eddie represented clients in food services, financial services, medical devices, telecommunications, higher education, sports, retail, real estate and others.

Eddie has been recognized as “One to Watch” by Best Lawyers in America since 2021 and as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers since 2017. He also regularly advises clients, writes and speaks on cutting-edge legal issues, including the use of Artificial Intelligence in the workplace, and legal issues arising from the collection and use of employee biometric information.

Eddie maintains an active pro bono practice, including on-going representation of a certified class of approximately 65,000 visually disabled Chicagoans in litigation challenging the City’s lack of accessible pedestrian crosswalks.  Eddie is also a member of the Firm’s Pro-Bono Committee and is a three-time recipient of the Firm’s “Golden Gavel” award for his significant pro bono contributions.

Prior to joining Proskauer, Eddie was a cum laude graduate from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. He also obtained a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from Loyola University Chicago Graduate School of Business. He began his practice at a national management-side employment law firm, and has also worked in the corporate human resources department of a national tax consulting firm and as a Fellow with the Illinois Human Rights Commission.

Subscribe to all posts by Edward Young

Reminder: Illinois Equal Pay Registration Certificate Deadline Approaching

The Illinois Equal Pay Act (“IEPA”) was previously amended to require private businesses with more than 100 employees in Illinois to obtain an Equal Pay Registration Certificate (“EPRC”) by March 23, 2024, and every two years thereafter.  We previously posted about this requirement here and here. Since the IEPA was amended, the Illinois Department of … Continue Reading

Illinois Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Disclosure of Pay Scales in Job Postings

***UPDATE: Governor Pritzker signed the bill into law on August 11, 2023.*** On May 17, 2023, the Illinois legislature passed House Bill 3129 (the “Bill”), which amends the Illinois Equal Pay Act (820 ILCS 112, et. seq.) to require Illinois employers to include pay scale and benefits information in job postings and to post or … Continue Reading

Illinois Legislature Advances Proposed Amendment to Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act

On May 8, 2023, the Illinois legislature passed Senate Bill 1515 (the “Amendment”), which would amend the Illinois Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act (820 ILCS § 55) to mandate a specified process employers would need to follow if they choose to take an adverse employment action against an employee after receiving notice from … Continue Reading

NTIA Seeks Public Comments on Potential Regulation of AI Systems

In response to the sudden proliferation of AI programs, like ChatGPT, on April 11, 2023, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) – an Executive branch agency responsible for advising the President on telecommunications and information policy issues – announced that it is seeking public comment on “what policies can support the development of AI … Continue Reading

REMINDER: Chicago Employers Must Complete Sexual Harassment Prevention and Bystander Training by June 30, 2023

On April 27,2022, the Chicago City Council passed SO2022-665, which broadened the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance (the “Ordinance”) and imposed new requirements on Chicago employers with respect to preventing sexual harassment in the workplace.  Pursuant to the Ordinance, all employees working in Chicago must participate in sexual harassment prevention training and bystander training annually. Specifically, … Continue Reading

Illinois Appears Poised to Require Disclosure of Pay Scales in Job Postings

HB3129 (the “Bill”), which was introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives on February 16, 2013, and passed by the Labor & Commerce Committee on February 28, 2023, would require Illinois employers to include pay scale information in job postings—or face financial consequences.  The Bill defines “pay scale” to mean the salary or hourly wage … Continue Reading

Applicant Files Class Action Suit Over Alleged AI Tool Discrimination in Hiring

As we have previously reported (here, here and here), there are novel risks associated with employer use of AI tools in the workplace. While such tools have caught the attention of the EEOC and state and local legislatures, we have yet to see a proliferation of litigation in this area. However, that may soon be … Continue Reading

7th Circuit: Actual Denial of Leave Not Necessary for FMLA Interference Claim

On June 1, 2022, the Seventh Circuit reversed the entry of summary judgment on a Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) claim, holding that an actual denial of an employee’s FMLA leave request is not necessary to constitute an FMLA violation. Rather, the FMLA may be violated where an employer discourages an employee from taking … Continue Reading

Stricter Requirements Added to Illinois One Day Rest in Seven Act

On May 13, 2022, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law Senate Bill 3146 (the “Amendment”), amending the One Day Rest In Seven Act (“ODRISA”).  The Amendment will go into effect on January 1, 2023. Rest Days The Amendment, once effective, will require employers to provide non-exempt employees with one 24-hour day of rest in … Continue Reading

Chicago City Council Expands Sexual Harassment Laws

On April 27, 2022, the Chicago City Council passed Ordinance 2022-665 (the “Ordinance”) amending the Municipal Code to enhance the City’s prohibitions on sexual harassment in the workplace. The amendments include, among other things, modified definitions of “sexual orientation” and “sexual harassment,” a new written policy requirement for employers, increased sexual harassment prevention training requirements, … Continue Reading

EEOC and the DOJ Issue Guidance for Employers Using AI Tools to Assess Job Applicants and Employees

Employers are more frequently relying on the use of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) tools to automate employment decision-making, such as software that can review resumes and “chatbots” that interview and screen job applicants. We have previously blogged about the legal risks attendant to the use of such technologies, including here and here. On May 12, 2022, … Continue Reading

Illinois Department of Labor Publishes Guidance for Employers Seeking Equal Pay Registration Certificate

Effective March 24, 2022, the Illinois Equal Pay Act (IEPA) was amended to require private businesses with more than 100 employees in Illinois to obtain an Equal Pay Registration Certificate (EPRC) by March 23, 2024, and every two years thereafter. To apply for the EPRC, businesses must submit the following to the Illinois Department of … Continue Reading

CA Appellate Court Addresses “Willfulness” Standard Under FCRA

On April 19, 2022, a California Appeals Court reversed and remanded a trial court’s grant of summary judgment in an employer’s favor, concluding there was a triable issue of material fact regarding whether a defendant had “willfully” violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act’s (“FCRA”) “standalone disclosure” requirement.  The case is Hebert v. Barnes & Noble, … Continue Reading

7th Cir. Affirms Summary Judgment On Illinois Whistleblower Act and Illinois Jury Act Retaliation Claims

On April 14, 2022, the Seventh Circuit affirmed the entry of summary judgment on claims under the Illinois Whistleblower Act and Illinois Jury Act, concluding that the plaintiff was not terminated for engaging in protected activity.  The case is Perez v. Staples Contract & Commercial LLC, No. 21-cv-2601. Background Plaintiff, a sales representative, was placed … Continue Reading

First Deadline Approaching for New Illinois Equal Pay Act Requirements

On January 25, 2022, the Illinois Department of Labor (“IDOL”) issued notices to 625 Illinois businesses to inform them that they have until May 25, 2022 to submit their Equal Pay Registration Certificate (“Certificate”) application as required under the amendments to the Illinois Equal Pay Act (“IEPA”). Background The IEPA was amended, effective June 25, … Continue Reading

Supreme Court Rules That BIPA Claims Are Not Barred By Ill. Workers’ Compensation Act

On February 3, 2022, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that the exclusivity provisions of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (“IWCA”) do not bar a claim for statutory damages under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”), 740 ILCS § 14/1, et seq.  McDonald v. Symphony Bronzeville Park, LLC, 2022 IL 126511. Background On August 17, 2017, … Continue Reading

7th Circuit Reverses Denial of Class Certification for Disparate Impact Subclasses

On January 6, 2022, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals held that the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois erred in denying class certification to putative subclasses of unsuccessful Black job applicants who alleged that hiring exams used by the Cook County Department of Corrections (“DOC”) resulted in a disparate impact on … Continue Reading

EEOC Prepares to Tackle Artificial Intelligence and Algorithmic Bias

On October 28, 2021, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) Chair Charlotte A. Burrows announced that the agency is launching an initiative to ensure that artificial intelligence (“AI”) used at all stages of the employment cycle comply with federal anti-discrimination laws.  The EEOC also issued a press release on that same day outlining the agency’s plans … Continue Reading

Reminder: Illinois Restrictive Covenant Law Takes Effect on January 1, 2022

As we previously reported, a new amendment to the Illinois Freedom to Work Act (820 ILCS § 90) regarding the use of non-competition and non-solicitation restrictive covenants for Illinois employees will take effect on January 1, 2022. The law imposes certain restrictions on the use of restrictive covenants that are entered into after January 1, … Continue Reading

Illinois Appellate Court Addresses Statute of Limitations Period for BIPA Claims

On September 17, 2021, an Illinois Appellate Court addressed the appropriate statute of limitations period for claims brought pursuant to the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA” or the “Act”), 740 ILCS § 14/1, et seq., holding that (1) claims asserted under sections 15(c) and (d) of the Act are subject to a one-year statute of … Continue Reading

Illinois Governor Signs Restrictive Covenant Bill Into Law

On August 13, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law an amendment to the Illinois Freedom to Work Act (820 ILCS § 90), which imposes restrictions on the use of non-competition and non-solicitation (employee and customer) restrictive covenants for Illinois employees. The law takes effect on January 1, 2022, and only applies to restrictive covenants … Continue Reading

Chicago Expands Paid Sick Leave Ordinance

Effective August 1, 2021, the City of Chicago’s Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Leave Ordinance was amended to provide for additional uses of paid sick leave for eligible employees.  Under the Amended Ordinance, an employee who works at least 80 hours for an employer within any 120-day period while physically present within the geographic boundaries … Continue Reading

Supreme Court: “Concrete Injury” Required for Standing in Federal Court

On June 25, 2021, the United States Supreme Court held that class members who could not establish “concrete harm” flowing from alleged statutory violations of Federal Credit Report Act (“FCRA”) lacked Article III standing to seek relief in federal court. (Transunion LLC v. Ramirez, No. 20-297 (U.S. June 25, 2021). Factual Background Plaintiff alleged that … Continue Reading

Illinois Legislature Passes Significant Restrictive Covenant Reform Bill

The Illinois Legislature recently passed a bipartisan bill, available here, that seeks to significantly amend the Illinois Freedom to Work Act (820 ILCS § 90) and impose restrictions on the use of non-competition and non-solicitation (employee and customer) restrictive covenants for Illinois employees. The bill is expected to be signed by Governor Pritzker, and would … Continue Reading
LexBlog

Proskauer and our platform provider LexBlog each use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze traffic. Each of us also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. If you are happy for us to store these cookies on your device please click ‘Accept Cookies.' For more information, please see here and here.

OK