Nicholas M. Ustaski

Associate


Nick represents employers of all sizes in a variety of industries on complex employment matters, including experience on hundreds of matters related to complex national and international corporate transactions. His practice primarily consists of, labor and employment due diligence, policy review and revisions, executive management consulting and advisement, mergers and acquisitions and other types of transactions, and employment litigation defense, where Nick’s passion for research, writing, and the nuisances of labor and employment law shines.

Nick is well versed in multi-state law labor and employment compliance. His primary goal is to help his clients avoid litigation and to assist employers with compliance with applicable labor and employment laws to create a healthy working relationship for employers and employees. Nick advises clients on human resources matters, including compliance with employment law and regulations, policy, and procedure development, including negotiating, drafting, and finalizing employment, independent contractor, restrictive covenant (non-disclosure, non-competition and non-solicitation), transition services, employee leasing and third-party service provider, and separation agreements, and conducting investigations. Nick has extensive experience advising senior executives and management teams on employee discipline and termination, reductions in force (including federal and state WARN laws), employer compliance and policy matters, workplace restructuring, hiring and termination documentation, handbooks and policies, employer affirmative action compliance, wage and hour compliance, anti-harassment and anti-discrimination law compliance, labor relations, union organization, collective bargaining, immigration compliance, and various government agency investigations and audits.

Nick also advises client teams and management on various issues identified during diligence, providing recommendations and helping implement best practices for compliance.

Nick is, lastly, very passionate about pro bono service. He won the “Pro Bono Achiever Award” at his previous firm and continues to find ways to be involved in the community and use his legal education and background to assist those who need it.

    • Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, J.D., cum laude, 2019
                                                            • CALI Awards in Business Organizations and Employment Discrimination
                                                            • Chicago-Kent Certificate of Service for 50 hours of Pro Bono Community Service 
                                                            • Editor, Chicago-Kent Law Review
                                                            • Editor, Chicago-Kent Employee Rights & Employment Journal
                                                            • Editor, Illinois Public Employee Relations Report
    • University of Delaware B.A., History (American History Concentration) & Foreign Languages and Literatures (Ancient Greek and Roman Culture Concentration) magna cum laude, with Distinction, 2016
                                                            • Men's Ice Hockey Captain — Named to ESCHL 2nd Team All-League for Ice Hockey
                                                            • William E. Meakin Award for Excellence in Academics and Community Service
                                                            • Alumni Award for Academic Achievement
                                                            • Thomas J. Craven Prize for Best Undergraduate Essay in Subject of History
  • Bar Admissions

    • Ilinois
    • Texas
  • Court Admissions

    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
    • Chicago Bar Association, Labor & Employment Section

    • Texas Bar Association

    • Houston Bar Association

    • Assistant Coach, Program Advisor, and Board Member, St. Ignatius Hockey Club at Saint Ignatius College Prep

    • President, Board of Directors, University of Delaware Men's Hockey Alumni Association

    • Certified Mediator in the State of Illinois, Center for Conflict Resolution

    • USA Hockey Level 4 Ice Hockey Coach

Latest News and Insights

Articles2.1.24

"Pay Transparency Laws: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly"

Elizabeth Voss and Nick Ustaski authored the HR.com article, "Pay Transparency Laws: The Good, The…

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Blog Posts1.3.24

Legal Updates for Texas Employers in 2024

Workplace Violence Reporting Poster Required Effective September 1, 2023, Texas employers of any…

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Legal Alerts12.22.23

Chicago Passes Expansive Paid Leave Ordinance

On November 9, 2023, the Chicago City Council passed a new Paid Leave and Paid Sick Leave Ordinance,…

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