Kimberly Ross concentrates her legal practice on defending and counseling management in employment law matters.

Kimberly's experience includes harassment and discrimination claims under Title VII and the Illinois Human Rights Act (race, national origin, gender/sex, religion), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-compete agreements, whistleblower claims, negligent hiring, supervision and retention, and retaliatory discharge.

Kimberly is a recognized authority in employment law, conducting seminars, providing training and authoring articles on proper employment practices including hiring, effective discipline and discharge, performing investigations, maintaining personnel files and properly classifying employees under the FLSA. She is also well-versed in reviewing and drafting employee handbooks, employment policies, employment contracts, and severance agreements. Kimberly is also frequently asked to lecture on professionalism and employment law topics at a local law school.  

Honors & Awards
  • Best Lawyers in America - Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • "500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers," LawDragon (2020-2024)
  • Meritorious Service Award from the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel; 2008
  • AV Preeminent Peer-Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

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  • Obtained summary judgment in an age discrimination lawsuit filed by a 61-year-old risk management employee who claimed failure to promote due to age.
  • Obtained summary judgment in an ADEA lawsuit filed by a terminated warehouse employee against a large food manufacturer and distributor.
  • Obtained dismissal of a retaliatory discharge lawsuit in which the plaintiff alleged her healthcare employer terminated her for taking time off after contracting COVID-19.
  • Successfully won on appeal in the Eighth Circuit an attempt to overturn the granting of summary judgment in favor of a hotel in a federal court lawsuit that alleged race and national origin discrimination and retaliation.
  • Successfully won on appeal in Minnesota an attempt to overturn summary judgment in a lawsuit that alleged disability discrimination, defamation, and retaliation.
  • Filed an Amicus brief in the Appellate Court of Illinois on behalf of the Chicago Transit Authority in support of its position in an obesity discrimination matter.
  • Obtained summary judgment in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a female employee of an automobile dealership
  • Obtained summary judgment in an ADA lawsuit filed by a terminated automobile technician at an auto dealership
  • Obtained dismissal of an ADEA, national origin and race discrimination lawsuit filed by a terminated employee at an auto dealership
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Education
  • DePaul University College of Law
    J.D., 1996
  • University of Michigan
    B.A., 1992
Memberships
  • American Bar Association
  • Decalogue Society of Lawyers (DSL)
  • Defense Research Institute (DRI)
  • Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IADTC), Board of Directors
  • Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce
  • National Association of Dealer Counsel (NADC)
  • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
  • The Women's Bar Association (WBAI)
Bar Admissions
  • Illinois
  • Missouri
  • Minnesota
  • Michigan
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota