CHICAGO, May 3, 2024 – Proskauer, a leading international law firm, is pleased to announce that a team of employment litigators from its Chicago office have been recognized for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (FBA). The lawyers recognized were partner Steve Pearlman, senior counsel Edna Guerrasio and associate Shanice Smith-Banks. The awards identify individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and achievement in representing indigent clients in challenging civil and criminal matters.
A partner in Proskauer’s Labor & Employment Department, Steve is head of the Restrictive Covenants, Trade Secrets & Unfair Competition group and co-head of the Whistleblowing & Retaliation group. His national practice focuses on defending companies in federal and state courts and arbitration against claims of discrimination, retaliation and harassment, including claims brought by high-level executives; whistleblower retaliation; restrictive covenant violations; theft of trade secrets; and wage-and-hour violations (including class, collective and PAGA actions). Steve has successfully tried cases before juries in multiple jurisdictions and prevailed following his oral arguments in matters of importance before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and state appellate courts.
Edna is senior counsel in the Labor & Employment Law Department. Edna litigates employment matters in court, as well as before state and federal administrative agencies, such as Office for Civil Rights, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Department of Labor. With 15 years in practice, Edna possesses robust legal expertise and courtroom experience, having served as second chair in a prominent federal court trial and numerous arbitrations. She has also argued dispositive motions before both district and appellate courts.
Shanice is an associate in the Labor and Employment Law Department and has experience assisting with workplace investigations, pay equity analyses, and counseling clients on a range of employment matters. Shanice assists with representation proceedings, responding to unfair labor practice charges and counseling clients surrounding union organizing efforts and collective bargaining.
Read more about our Pro Bono efforts here: Proskauer Pro Bono
About Proskauer
The world’s leading organizations and global players choose Proskauer to represent them when they need it the most. With 800+ lawyers in key financial centers around the world, we are known for our pragmatic and commercial approach. Proskauer is the place to turn when a matter is complex, innovative and game-changing. We work seamlessly across practices, industries and jurisdictions with asset managers, private equity and venture capital firms, Fortune 500 and FTSE companies, major sports leagues, entertainment industry legends and other industry-redefining companies.