Labor Law Certificate Program
Fall 2024 – Spring 2025
A scholarship is available for this series – Learn more here.
For more information, email Ursulla Idleman
Certificate program (all 6 classes) tuition: $600. Individual classes $150.
Union group rate for 5+ students, $500, email Ursulla Idleman for invoicing.
Advanced registration for the certificate program due September 1st.
All classes held in person in Chicago: 815 West Van Buren, Ste. 110, Chicago, IL 60607.
Labor Law Survey, Part I—Private Sector
Saturday, September 21, 2024
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, September 28, 2024
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, November 9, 2024
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 4, 2025
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 22, 2025
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
Saturday, March 15, 2025
This course will continue the work from Part I, which is a prerequisite to this course.
Instructor Bio
James Connolly Jr. is a member in good standing of the Illinois bar since November 2017. He possesses practice-area expertise spanning labor law, employment law, employee benefits law, cannabis law, municipal bankruptcy, first amendment speech and associational jurisprudence. While practicing, he has represented client interests, worked diligently to, minimize risk and propel positive resolutions to complex legal matters. He has proven successful assisting in achieving case dismissals, sizeable judgments, advantageous settlements and favorable decisions.
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.