Kathryn Zeledon Nelson focuses her practice in the areas of employment law and commercial litigation. She also has extensive experience in personal injury and Municipal Code enforcement litigation. While a significant portion of her practice involves matters which are already in litigation, Kathryn places a strong emphasis on client counseling aimed at avoiding legal exposure and minimizing the risk of costly litigation. For those matters in litigation, Kathryn remains committed to developing prompt and cost-effective settlements whenever possible and in the best interests of her clients. Her recent experience includes:
- Representing small and medium sized business at various administrative agencies, state and federal court proceedings pertaining to charges of employment discrimination and/or wage and hour violations;
- Drafting employee handbooks and corporate polices for a wide variety of employers;
- Drafting and evaluating confidentiality and non-competition agreements;
- Representing a small business owner in an action to recoup reimbursement for expenses he incurred when he had to relocate his small business because of a government public works project;
- Representing developers and condominium associations in actions involving building code violations.
Kathryn began her legal career as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago, where she represented the City and its employees in complex state and federal litigation, as well as administrative agency actions, involving personal injury, labor, and employment actions. She later served as Director of Labor Relations and First Deputy General Counsel for the Chicago Public Schools; Kathryn went on to serve as Deputy Commissioner for the Chicago Fire Department, overseeing internal investigations and legal affairs. Kathryn concluded her career in government after serving as Deputy Inspector General of the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the State of Illinois.
Education
- University of Illinois (B.A.)
- DePaul University (J.D., with honor, 1984)
Bar Admissions
Illinois, 1984
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1984
Other Distinctions
Ms. Nelson is also adjunct faculty at the Graham School of Management of Saint Xavier University where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in business law and management.
Memberships
Illinois State Bar Association
Personal
Kathryn is married and lives in the southwest suburbs of Chicago with her husband and daughter.