Aaron J. Kacel

Aaron J. Kacel

Aaron has dedicated his career to guiding employers through the intricate landscape of labor and employment law. Aaron offers counsel on a spectrum of labor and employment matters, including conducting internal investigations, managing employee discipline, promoting harmonious labor relations, and devising comprehensive workplace policies. He is well-versed in navigating the complexities of state and federal labor and employment legislation, including statutes like the Illinois Human Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, Title VII, and other related laws.

In addition to his advisory role, Aaron represents employers in litigation and before administrative agencies such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Illinois Department of Labor.

Aaron’s expertise also extends into traditional labor law, where he handles labor arbitrations, grievance proceedings, and the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements on behalf of employers.

A committed advocate for inclusive work environments, Aaron conducts trainings for employers on topics such as best practices for internal investigations, strategies for preventing charges of unlawful discrimination and harassment in the workplace, and identifying and managing implicit bias across various sectors.

Aaron is also an active member of the firm’s DEI Compliance practice area and First Amendment Rapid Response Team.

Within Robbins Schwartz, Aaron is the Associate Representative to the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Committee and Co-Chair of the Diversity & Awareness Planning Subcommittee. He consistently champions diversity and equity initiatives within the firm.

Before joining Robbins Schwartz, Aaron served as in-house employment law counsel for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. He has previously worked for the City of Chicago and an international law firm. During his time at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Aaron served as Managing Executive Editor of the Northwestern Journal of Law & Social Policy and the President and Founder of the Northwestern Labor & Employment Law Society. He also served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Judge Joan B. Gottschall of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Education

• J.D., Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
• B.A., Washington University in St. Louis, magna cum laude, high distinction

Admitted to Practice

• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• Supreme Court of Illinois

Organizations

• Chair, Labor and Employment Committee, Chicago Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section
• Co-Chair, Northwestern Law LGBTQ+ Alumni Affinity Group
• Co-Chair, Washington University in St. Louis Alumni and Parents Admission Program, Chicago North Shore Committee
• Secretary, Associate Board, Lawyers for the Creative Arts
• Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary, Board of Directors, About Face Theatre (2018-2021)

Recent Publications

• Contributing author, “Labor Relations: Contract Administration Including Unfair Labor Practices,” Illinois School Law, IICLE (2024)
• Co-Author, “Seventh Circuit Addresses Employer Liability for Coworker and Supervisor Harassment and Challenges in Establishing Claims For Retaliation, Defamation, and IIED,” Employment and Labor Law Flashpoints, IICLE (May 2023)
• When It Happens to You: Responding to Reports of Harassment and Discrimination, Law Arts Blog, Lawyers for the Creative Arts (July 2022)

Recent Presentations

• Navigating Payroll Laws: Wages and Record Keeping Requirements, Illinois Association of School Business Officials Bookkeepers Conference (March 2023)
• The Peanut Butter and Jelly Effect: Understanding Implicit Bias and Its Impact on Educators, Illinois Association of School Administrators Legal Workshop (February 2023)
• 2022 Hot Topics in Labor and Employment Law, Chicago Bar Association (February 2023)