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Karin Anderson

Associate
Phone: (224) 406-8403
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Karin Anderson is an associate with OKGC and has been with the firm since 2011. Karin focuses her practice on employment law, §1983 civil rights litigation, municipal liability defense, and general tort defense.

Karin’s comprehensive employment law practice encompasses litigation, training, and consulting. She has extensive experience with cases involving Title VII, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Retaliatory Discharge, IWPCA and IMWL. Before joining OKGC, Karin practiced employment law for eight years, primarily in the private sector. She operated her own firm for two years and provided consulting and training services for private employers on compliance with anti-discrimination statutes, various leave laws, employment contracts and miscellaneous human resource matters.

Karin frequently presents on employment law topics and gives 2-3 seminars annually. Some of Karin’s recent seminar topics include incorporating medical marijuana into employment policies, Illinois’ concealed carry law, updates on the ADA, FMLA and other employment laws, effective workplace investigations, retaliation, whistle blowing and the First Amendment, and equal employment opportunity issues. Karin has also served as the Editor of the Illinois Employment Newsletter.

Before becoming an attorney, Karin worked in social services. While studying and living abroad, Karin worked with Kurdish refugees in Sweden and with Somali, Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees in Egypt. After returning to the United States, Karin worked as a Child Welfare Specialist with Catholic Charities. She later worked with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, helping abused and neglected children in Cook County. Currently, Karin speaks and raises funds on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Areas of Focus

  • Employment Law
  • Civil Rights Law
  • Municipal Liability Defense
  • General Tort Defense

Education

  • DePaul College of Law, J.D., 2002 (summa cum laude; Order of the Coif; CALI Award in Disability Law; Dean’s Scholar)
  • American University in Cairo, Presidential Intern, 1989-1990
  • Harvard University, A.B., 1988 (cum laude; Dean’s List; Radcliffe Scholar)
  • Jämshög Folkhögskola, Sweden, Year Abroad Program, 1987-1988

Representative Cases

  • Henderson v. Douglas County, No. 12-2180 (C.D. Ill., March 28, 2014)—Jury verdict in favor of the Douglas County State’s Attorney in disability discrimination suit under the ADA.
  • Bell v. City of Harvey, 2014 WL 257857 (N.D. Ill., Jan. 22, 2014)—Won summary judgment on police officer’s claim of retaliation under the ADEA.
  • Stevens v. Weiss, 2013 WL 4780768 (C.D. Ill., Sept. 5, 2013)—Won summary judgment on former employee’s §1983 claims of false arrest, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution against Circuit Clerk.
  • Harris v. Village of Calumet Park, 2013 WL 773016 (N.D. Ill., Feb. 28, 2013)—Won summary judgment on police officer’s claims of gender discrimination, hostile work environment and retaliation under Title VII, violation of equal protection rights under §1983 and a Monell claim under §1983 against the Village, Mayor and Police Chief.

Admissions

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
  • United States District Court for the District of Colorado
  • Illinois