Joel Zeid 's legal practice is solely focused on the representation and counsel of management clients in labor and employment law issues. 

Joel is adept at managing complex cases from inception through the discovery process to resolution, as well as providing strategic legal advice and achieving favorable outcomes for clients from a diverse range of industries. Joel possesses a strong track record of success including securing multiple motions to dismiss and for summary judgment; adeptly conducting and defending more than 20 depositions of plaintiffs, defendants, physicians, and witnesses; routinely propounding and responding to written discovery; favorably settling several high exposure cases in state, federal, and appellate courts; and obtaining favorable appellate judgments in multiple cases. Additionally, Joel is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards and delivering client-centered service in fast-paced and challenging situations.

Before joining FordHarrison, Joel was an Assistant State's Attorney in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office - Civil Rights and Torts Division. In this role, he represented Cook County employees and Cook County Sheriff employees in complex civil rights and tort litigation in both state and federal court. 

While in law school, Joel obtained judicial experience as a Judicial Intern to the Honorable Senior District Judge Richard E. Webber in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, and as a Legal Extern in the U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Missouri. As an undergraduate, Joel served as a Legislative Assistant in the U.S. Senate.    

  • Obtained summary judgment on all claims filed by a plaintiff against a healthcare provider in a deliberate indifference claim before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
  • Obtained summary judgment on, and successfully defended on appeal, civil rights claims by a former inmate at the Cook County Department of Corrections.
  • Obtained dismissals (for failure to state a claim and/or on summary judgment) of numerous state law claims by Plaintiffs for excessive force, malicious prosecution, negligence, and retaliation.
Education
  • University of Missouri - Columbia School of Law
    J.D., 2021
  • Tulane University Law School
    B.A., 2018
Bar Admissions
  • Illinois
  • Missouri
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois