Our firm was founded in 2015 by Managing Attorney Cynthia Pietrucha. We started out as a general practice firm helping Illinois clients with all types of issues – workplace discrimination, talent agency contracts, software licensing vendor contracts, landlord-tenant disputes, medical and disability issues in the workplace and K-12 grade appeal and school discipline cases.
We quickly built a reputation for excellence in employment law and now focus our practice almost exclusively on employment law.
For the last 10 years, we have helped over 1,500 employees and small business owners obtain resolutions in unemployment insurance claims, job terminations, medical leave from work and separation agreement negotiations. With a modern touch, we help bring peace to drama at work.
Meet our legal team
Cynthia Pietrucha
Employment Lawyer and Mediator
Cynthia Pietrucha, Esq. brings over 10 years of experience as a mediator and an employment lawyer who knows the ins and outs of workplace issues. She’s your go-to for navigating IDES unemployment benefit claim appeals, employment contracts and separation agreements. A former journalist, she knows how to communicate, cut through the confusion, and make sure your voice is heard loud and clear.
Her First Paid Job: TV Actress on ABC’s Gabriel’s Fire, 1990, filmed in Chicago, Illinois
Alyze Pierce
Employment Lawyer and Mediator
Alyze Pierce, Esq. brings 17 years of sharp legal expertise to the table. She’s your go-to for small business compliance in the workplace. She loves drafting handbooks and company policies and discipline procedures. Whether you’re facing challenges with ADA compliance, navigating the complexities of Title VII, or untangling wage and hour laws, she’s got your back.
Her Law School: Harvard Law
Felix LaShawn (Shawn) Mitchell
Law Clerk
Felix is a law school graduate studying for the Illinois bar exam. He assists the firm with legal research, case strategy and written record review during intake and discovery. Before law school, Felix had an early career in media as an On-Air Talent and Midwest Urban Marketing Director for Sony Music Entertainment, and he also worked as a Transportation Operations Analyst at Genpact and an Account Executive at Echo Global Logistics, where he developed expertise in logistics and transportation management.
Marlon Suarez
Legal Assistant
Marlon is a dedicated legal assistant known for his meticulous attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills. He plays an integral role in our team, adeptly handling inquiries for legal assistance, crafting precise legal documents, and managing the staff’s schedule with efficiency and ease.
Before joining our team, Marlon was instrumental in supporting a personal injury law firm, where he specialized in obtaining and meticulously translating medical records from English to Spanish. This critical work not only showcased his linguistic prowess but also his ability to navigate the complexities of medical terminology and personal injury law.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Marlon serves as a vital bridge in communication, ensuring that our Spanish-speaking clients are fully understood and that their legal needs are met with the utmost care and precision.
Marlon works closely with Attorney Cynthia Pietrucha, providing her with invaluable support that enhances her ability to represent our clients effectively. His collaborative approach and dedication to client service make him a cherished member of our legal team and a trusted ally to those seeking our help.
Our legal team has handled cases in:
GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES
Department of Justice (DOJ)
Department of Labor (DOL)
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
Illinois Attorney General Consumer Protection Division
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR)
Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL)
Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
Illinois Human Rights Commission (IHRC)
Illinois Department of Insurance
Illinois Secretary of State Merit Commission
THE ILLINOIS COURTS
Champaign County Illinois 6th Judicial Circuit Court
DuPage County Illinois 18th Judicial Circuit Court
Lake County Illinois 19th Judicial Circuit Court
Will County Illinois 12th Judicial Circuit Court
St. Clair County 20th Judicial Circuit Court
*Available to practice in all 24 judicial circuits in the state.
THE FEDERAL COURTS
United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Rock Island Division
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Chicago
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Western Division, Rockford
United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois – Approved Mediator
United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Fayetteville (pro hac vice)