Labor Law Certificate Program
Fall 2021 – Spring 2022
For more information, check out the flyer or email Barbara Nelson, or call 312-996-2127.
Certificate program (all 6 classes) tuition: $600. Individual classes $150. Union group rate for 5+ students, $500. Contact us for payment plan or tuition options. Advanced registration for the certificate program due October 1st.
All classes held in person in Chicago: 815 West Van Buren, Ste. 110, Chicago, IL 60607 State & Campus COVID safety protocols will be followed.
Labor Law Survey, Part I—Private Sector
Saturday, October 23, 2021, 8am – 2pm
This course will provide an overview of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) and will examine the regulations and case law surrounding union formation, elections, collective bargaining rights, pickets and strikes, Weingarten rights, discipline, grievance and arbitration processes, and union security/dues clauses.
Labor Law Survey, Part II—Public Sector
Saturday, November 13, 2021, 8am-2pm
This course will continue the discussion from Part I, while examining the essential statutes in Illinois Public Sector Labor Law, including the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act (IPLRA), the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act (IELRA), and the US and Illinois Constitution provisions that apply to public sector workers.
Employment Law Survey, Part I—Employment Relations
Saturday, December 11, 2021, 8am-2pm
This course will introduce students to essential Constitutional rights, statutes, regulations, and case law related to employment discrimination and employment relations on a macro (federal law) and micro (state and local) level. Part I will focus employment relations, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Illinois Unemployment Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), Disability Rights, Workers Compensation, and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).
Employment Law Survey, Part II—Employment Discrimination
Saturday, January 8, 2022, 8am-2pm
This course will continue the discussion from Part I, while examining issues of employment discrimination, including a discussion on the Civil Rights Act and EEOC, ADA and ADEA issues, equal pay acts (Lilly Ledbetter Act), the Illinois Human Rights Act. The course will also outline the procedures for initiating a complaint at the EEOC and Illinois De-partment of Human Rights.
Introduction survey course and deep critical analysis of essential Constitutional rights, statutes, regulations, and case law related to employment discrimination including, but not limited to, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), EEOC, ADA, ADEA, and the Illinois Human Rights Act.
Legal Writing Intensive Workshop, Part I
Saturday, February 19, 2022, 8am-2pm
This course is designed to be an advanced writing workshop for those interested in developing successful written advocacy in complex/advanced grievances as well as before various legal tribunals including arbitrators and labor boards. Students will learn basics of legal research, reading and interpreting statutes, regulations, and case law. All workshops will be conducted collaboratively in a group with the instructor and other students and will include individual reading, research, and writing assignments.
Legal Writing Intensive Workshop, Part II
TBD
This course will continue the work from Part I, which is a prerequisite to this course.
Instructor Bio
Nicholas Christen is an attorney and Strategic Research Director at the Illinois Federation of Teachers. He concen-trates his practice in union side labor and employment law, and his experience includes collective bargaining and arbitration on behalf of public and private employees, as well as litigation before the National Labor Relations Board, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, and the US Department of Labor. He is also an adjunct professor in the University of Illinois School of Labor and Employment Relations.
Important Note: Nothing in this certificate program or any individual sub-course is intended to be or should be interpreted as legal advice in any way. Similarly, this certificate program, individual subcourses, and/or instructor’s curriculum do not create or intend to create any aspect of an attorney-client relationship.