Nora Kersten Walsh concentrates on all areas of labor and employment law, with an emphasis on employment-related litigation and employee counseling.

She has conducted federal and state court litigation, including appellate litigation, and has participated in hearings before:

• The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
• Illinois Department of Human Rights
• Chicago Commission on Human Rights, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
• State unemployment compensation tribunals

Ms. Walsh also provides input on labor and employment issues implicated in client mergers and acquisitions, and consults on issues faced by institutions of higher education.

Publications

"U.S. Supreme Court: Time Period for Filing Title VII Disparate Impact Claim Begins to Run When Employer Uses Discriminatory Practice," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (June 9, 2010)

"D.C. Circuit Reverses Controversial Decision on Non-Solicitation Policies," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (July 17, 2009)

Equal Pay Act Report, (contributor) Equal Pay Act Subcommittee of the ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee (February 2009)

"United States Supreme Court Confirms that Employees May Pursue Retaliation Claims Under Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (June 17, 2008)

"A Look at the ADA's 'Direct Threat' Defense Post-Echazabal," HR Advisor, Vol. 14, No. 2, March/April 2008

"Illinois Appellate Court Rules that Old Handbooks can be Binding," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (February 27, 2008)

"New Form I-9 Required as of December 7, 2007," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (November 9, 2007)

"DOJ Lawsuit Seeks to Void Illinois Law Prohibiting Employer Participation in Federal E-Verify Program," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (September 26, 2007)

"Illinois Appellate Court Upholds Common Law Claim for Whistleblowing Activities," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (September 7, 2007)

"Realities - not titles - determine independent contractor status," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (January 4, 2007)

"Veterans Now Protected Under Illinois Human Rights Act," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (June 16, 2006)

"Sexual Orientation Protection to be Added to Illinois Human Rights Act," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (January 2005)

"Avoiding New Employment Disputes When Acquiring or Selling a Privately Held Company," (co-author) chapter in Acquiring or Selling the Privately Held Company, 2005, Practising Law Institute (2005)

"New Illinois WARN Act Creates Obligations for Employers," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (October 2004)

"New Illinois Laws Affect Employers," Schiff Hardin Labor and Employment Update (March 2004)

Speeches and Presentations

Ms. Kersten Walsh has spoken on numerous subjects, including the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), Illinois Human Rights Act, Illinois WARN Act, Illinois legislative updates, Victims Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA), harassment prevention and interviewing and hiring issues.

Awards and Honors

University League Award - University of Wisconsin Law School

Outstanding Woman Law Graduate Award - National Association of Women Lawyers