About
Robin Potter moved to Chicago in 1978, where she has built a nationwide private practice trying and litigating Labor & Employment, Discrimination, Sex Harassment, Whistleblower, Wage & Hour and False Claims Act (FCA) individual and class action cases. Her FCA cases have returned tens of millions of dollars to the U.S. treasury and private carriers. She has been proud to serve as counsel to the Chicago Teachers’ Union, union members and leadership working to reform their unions and increase democracy equity and justice in the workplace.
Robin served as a government supervisor in overseeing and conducting elections in the Laborers’ International Union (LIUNA). She was also the court-appointed Claims Administrator in Smith v. NIKE, Case No. 03 C 9110 (N.D. Ill., J. Shadur), a class action race discrimination case and was the Special Master in EEOC v. The Dial Corporation, Case No. 99 C 3356 (N.D. IL.), a pattern and practice sexual harassment case.
Robin has frequently lectured, including at the following venues: American Bar Association Midyear, annual, labor & employment, and EEOC meetings; Illinois State Bar Association (Labor Section); National Employment Lawyers’ Association, Association of Trial Lawyers of America (Civil Rights and Individual Employee Rights Sections); the Taxpayers Against Fraud (lawyers representing plaintiffs in Qui Tam litigation); the American Federation of Teachers and American Federation of Labor Lawyers’ Coordinating Committee; and the Practicing Law Institute.
In 2013, the National Lawyers’ Guild, Chicago honored Robin and her firm as co-recipients of the Arthur Kinoy People’s Law Award, “in recognition of tireless advocacy on behalf of the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public School students, parents, and employees.” Also in 2013, Robin was a finalist for the Public Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year award for “outstanding contribution to the public interest” for her work the case United States and State of Illinois, ex rel Absher v. Momence Meadows Nursing Center, Inc. The Chicago Democratic Socialists of America honored Robin at their 2014 Debs-Thomas-Harrington Dinner for her work supporting the labor movement and employees’ rights.
Robin helped found the National Employment Lawyers Association and its Illinois chapter, NELA-Illinois, and remains an active member of both organizations. She is also a member of Taxpayers Against Fraud, the Chicago Bar Association, and the American Bar Association Litigation and Labor and Employment Section. She is on the Board of Directors of Advocates for Justice, a New York City based group engaged in nationwide advocacy and litigation, in public education and other areas of law reform.
Robin is a 1977 graduate of the University of Iowa Law School.
Bar Admissions
§ Illinois
§ Iowa (inactive)
§ U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (including Trial Bar)
§ U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
Robin Potter Honored For Distinguished Workers Rights Work
The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) is honoring Robin Potter for her distinguished service, inspiring leadership, and strong commitment to the cause of justice for workers. She, along with other NELA members, will receive this award at its summer 2023 annual convention in Chicago. To read about Robin’s award, click here 2023 Gala - NELA