Kent Sezer

Mr. Sezer concentrates his practice in labor and employment law. Prior to joining the firm, he was the general counsel of the Illinois Human Rights Commission, where he provided legal advice to commissioners deciding claims of employment discrimination under the Illinois Human Rights Act.

In addition, Mr. Sezer coordinated the State’s defense of the Commission’s decisions in the Illinois Appellate and Supreme Courts.

Representative Matters

Represents employers before the EEOC, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Illinois Human Rights Commission and analogous state agencies.
Argues cases in the Appellate Court Represents government employers in court and in front of administrative boards and commissions.
Defends governmental employers in § 1983 litigation.
Drafts legislation for consideration of the Illinois General Assembly.
Drafts language for employee handbooks and policy manuals.
Testifies in front of legislative committees.
Drafts employee severance agreements and releases.
Defends employers in federal court litigation brought under Title VII, ADEA, ADA § 1981 and related anti-discrimination laws.
Advises employers regarding state law torts, such as intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent hiring and retaliatory discharge.

Professional Activities

Chicago Bar Association
Chicago Bar Foundation, Vice Chair, Investing In Justice Campaign 2012

Education

Washington University School of Law, J.D., 1977, Order of the Coif
Knox College, B.A., 1974, cum laude

News

February 3, 2011
Supreme Court Ruling on January 31st in the Legal Area of Labor and Employment

March 9, 2010
Kent Sezer Receives Defense Win

Publications

Rights Remedies and Procedures Under Illinois Law
Co-Author: Kent Sezer
published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, February 12, 2012
Age Discrimination-Kentucky Retirement Systems v. EEOC
published by Neal & Leroy, LLC, July 2008
Rights Remedies and Procedures Under Illinois Law, a chapter in Employment Discrimination
published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2007