Illinois Sexual Harassment Attorney

You Do Not Have To Face Workplace Harassment Alone

Sexual harassment at work can leave you feeling trapped, embarrassed, and unsure where to turn. You may worry about your job, your reputation, and whether anyone will believe you. Under Illinois law, you do not have to tolerate this behavior, and you do not have to navigate it by yourself.

At Workplace Law Partners, we represent employees who have experienced workplace sexual harassment, retaliation, and related employment violations. Our Illinois sexual harassment attorneys listen carefully to what happened, explain how the law may apply, and work with you to identify a path that fits your goals. Your first conversation with us is a free, confidential case review.

Our team brings more than a century of combined employment law experience to these matters. Principal attorney David Fish has been recognized as a Super Lawyer from 2018 through 2025, holds a preeminent Martindale Hubbell rating, and teaches employment law at Northern Illinois University College of Law. We put this depth of knowledge to work for people across the Chicago area and throughout Illinois.

Why Workers Trust Our Illinois Firm

When you search for an Illinois sexual harassment lawyer, you may already feel overwhelmed. Choosing someone to tell your story to is an important decision. We understand that trust must be earned, especially when the problem involves sensitive, personal workplace experiences.

Our firm focuses its practice on employment law. We handle sexual harassment matters, retaliation, discrimination, wrongful termination, wage and hour disputes, severance issues, and non-compete problems. This focus means we are familiar with how Illinois employers, human resources departments, and insurance lawyers tend to approach these disputes, and we use that knowledge to develop strategies that are tailored to each client.

David Fish has received sustained recognition within the Illinois legal community. His Super Lawyer listings from 2018 through 2025, preeminent Martindale Hubbell ranking, and recognition by Crain's Chicago Business as one of its Notable Leaders in Employment & Labor Law all reflect peer respect in this field. He also serves as an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association and teaches employment law at Northern Illinois University College of Law, which gives our firm insight into both courtroom and alternative dispute resolution settings.

Our track record includes complex litigation as well as individual claims. For example, we helped secure an overtime settlement on behalf of more than 500 Dyson Direct employees, which required careful case management against a large company. While sexual harassment cases are different from wage cases, this type of result shows our ability to stand up to significant employers and persist through complicated disputes.

Clients often come to us after feeling ignored or dismissed. Reviews consistently mention that our attorneys respond quickly, take time to listen, and have a calming influence during stressful legal situations. The Illinois State Bar Association recognized our pro bono work with the John McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award, reflecting our commitment to fairness and access to justice for workers, including those who cannot easily afford legal help.

To schedule your free case review with our Illinois sexual harassment lawyers, contact us online or call (312) 818-2407.

Recognizing Sexual Harassment At Work

Many people reach out to a sexual harassment attorney in Illinois because they are not sure whether the behavior they are experiencing is “serious enough” to be unlawful. You do not need to make that decision alone. It is enough that the conduct is making you uncomfortable, fearful, or changing how you feel about being at work.

Sexual harassment can take different forms. Sometimes it looks like a hostile work environment, where unwelcome behavior becomes part of the daily atmosphere. In other situations, it may involve a supervisor linking job benefits to sexual conduct, which is often called quid pro quo harassment. Both scenarios can violate federal and Illinois law when certain conditions are met.

Examples of conduct that may be part of workplace sexual harassment include repeated sexual comments, unwanted touching, sexual jokes or images, pressure for dates, suggestive messages, or rumors about your personal life. Harassment can be direct or subtle, in person or through email, texts, or social media. It can come from supervisors, coworkers, customers, or others you must interact with for your job.

Harassment often connects with other employment problems. You may notice a change in your schedule, a sudden negative performance review, exclusion from meetings, or threats to your position after you resist or report the conduct. These behaviors can be signs of retaliation, which is also unlawful in many circumstances. Our Illinois sexual harassment lawyers help clients sort through all of these moving pieces to understand what may be happening under Illinois law.

Your Rights Under Illinois Law

Illinois law gives employees specific protections against workplace sexual harassment. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits sexual harassment in employment, and it applies to a broad range of employers in this state. Federal laws, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, may also apply in certain situations, especially for larger employers.

If you believe you experienced unlawful harassment, you may have the option to bring a charge before the Illinois Department of Human Rights. In some cases, you may also have claims that can be brought with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Deadlines for these filings can be strict, and the correct path depends on factors such as the size of your employer, the timing of the conduct, and whether you already taken internal steps.

Our sexual harassment attorneys regularly guide clients through Illinois employment processes. We are familiar with how complaints may move from agencies into venues such as the Illinois Human Rights Commission or state and federal courts serving the Chicago area and other parts of the state. When you speak with an Illinois sexual harassment lawyer from our firm, we explain which options may be available and what each one involves.

Sometimes employment contracts or handbooks refer to arbitration, internal grievance procedures, or particular reporting steps. These provisions can affect how and where a claim is pursued. Because we handle a wide range of employment disputes, including severance agreements, non-compete challenges, and breach of contract matters, we are able to look at your situation as a whole, not just one piece of it.

Steps To Protect Yourself At Work

When you are dealing with harassment, every day at work can feel like a balancing act between staying safe, keeping your job, and trying not to upset the situation further. While each case is different, there are practical steps many employees find helpful in protecting themselves and preserving information that may be important later.

Some protective steps you can consider discussing with a sexual harassment attorney include:

• Writing down each incident with dates, times, locations, and names of any witnesses.
• Saving emails, texts, messages, or images that show the behavior or related retaliation.
• Keeping copies of performance reviews, schedules, and policy documents in a safe place.
• Review your employer’s harassment and complaint policies before deciding how to report.
• Speaking with a sexual harassment lawyer before or shortly after making an internal complaint, when possible.

Internal reporting is a very personal decision. Some policies require that you notify a supervisor, human resources, or a hotline, and how you choose to do that can affect both your work situation and your legal options. We talk with clients about the potential benefits and risks of different reporting paths in light of their role, workplace culture, and tolerance for confrontation.

Retaliation, such as demotion, termination, reduction in hours, or sudden discipline because you objected to harassment or filed a complaint, is generally prohibited under many employment laws. Our firm routinely handles retaliation and wrongful termination matters that arise after harassment reports in Illinois workplaces. We work to align legal strategy with what you want for your career, whether that is remaining in your role, negotiating a separation, or pursuing other remedies.

How Our Attorneys Can Help You

Reaching out to a sexual harassment lawyer in Illinois can feel intimidating, especially if you have never worked with an attorney before. We structure our process to be approachable and clear. Your first step is a free case review, where we listen to your concerns, ask questions to understand what has been happening, and talk through potential options.

During this conversation, we focus on your goals. Some clients want the behavior to stop while preserving their position. Others are already out of the workplace and want to explore claims for lost income or other harm. Our sexual harassment attorneys draw on more than 100 years of combined employment law experience to develop strategies that reflect these differences. We do not apply a single template to every case.

When we take on a matter, we work to help clients navigate internal complaints, charges before agencies in Illinois, negotiations with employers, and litigation in appropriate courts. Our previous work with complex cases, including class actions such as the Dyson overtime settlement, has prepared us to manage both individual disputes and broader workplace problems. At each stage, we explain what to expect and make ourselves available to answer questions.

Clients consistently note that our sexual harassment attorneys respond quickly and have a calming presence during stressful events. The Illinois State Bar Association’s John McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award reflects the value we place on treating people with dignity and making legal help accessible. If you are ready to talk about what has been happening at work, we invite you to contact us to see how our team can assist.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to talk to your attorneys?

Your initial case review with our firm is free. During that conversation, we learn about your situation and explain potential paths forward. If we both decide to move ahead, we discuss fees and structures before you commit, so you understand how costs will work in your particular matter.

Will my employer find out that I contacted a lawyer?

Simply reaching out to us is private. We do not contact your employer without your permission. If a situation develops where communication with your employer is appropriate, we talk with you first about the timing, method, and possible effects so you can make an informed decision.

What if I am still working for the person harassing me?

Many clients are still working with the person who is harassing them when they call us. We consider safety, job security, and your goals when discussing options. Together, we can plan steps that seek to protect you while taking into account your role, income needs, and workplace culture.

How do I know if what happened is illegal sexual harassment?

It can be difficult to tell on your own whether conduct meets legal definitions. During a free review, we ask detailed questions about what occurred, how often, who was involved, and how your job was affected. We then explain how Illinois employment laws may apply to your circumstances.

How will your firm keep me informed about my case?

We work to communicate clearly and promptly. Clients often mention that our attorneys respond quickly to questions and provide updates when there is movement in a case. We discuss preferred communication methods early, so you know how we will share developments and what information we may need from you.

Talk Confidentially With Our Team

If you are facing sexual harassment at work, you do not have to decide your next steps in isolation. Speaking with an Illinois sexual harassment attorney can help you understand your rights, your options, and how different choices might affect your job and future.

At Workplace Law Partners, we offer free, confidential case reviews for workers throughout the Chicago area and across Illinois. Our sexual harassment attorneys take the time to listen, explain the law in clear language, and outline possible strategies tailored to your goals. You are not committing to a lawsuit by calling, only opening a conversation about how to move forward.

Ready to schedule your free case review with our Illinois sexual harassment lawyers? Contact us online or call (312) 818-2407.