1818 - Law Firm

03/31/2026

We are proud to represent a very brave young girl in a lawsuit involving the repeated abuse of her medically necessary service dog at school—including allegations that the dog was kicked, teased, and physically interfered with despite a formal Section 504 accommodation plan.

Cases like this are an important reminder that disability accommodations must be respected and protected—not just on paper, but in practice.



https://pattersonlawfirm.com/estes/

03/28/2026

Working off the clock in Illinois? You may be owed pay.

If your employer requires it—even before or after your shift—you likely must be paid.

👉 Read more: https://www.1818legal.com/articles/employer-making-you-work-off-the-clock-in-illinois/

📞 Contact 1818 Attorneys & Advisors if this is happening to you.

Working off the clock in Illinois is illegal. If your employer requires unpaid work before, during, or after your shift, you may be owed back wages and damages.

03/09/2026

Just Got Fired in Illinois? Read This Before You Do Anything.

Losing your job can feel overwhelming. In the shock of the moment, many people make decisions that can seriously affect their legal rights.

Before you sign anything or walk away, there are a few important steps you should take.

In our latest article, we explain what employees should do immediately after being terminated, including:

• Why you should never sign a severance agreement on the spot
• How to document what happened during your termination meeting
• Your right to request your personnel file under Illinois law
• Why reviewing your final paycheck carefully matters

Taking the right steps early can make a big difference if your termination was unfair or illegal.

Read the full article here:
https://www.1818legal.com/articles/what-to-do-if-you-get-fired/

If you believe your firing involved retaliation, discrimination, unpaid wages, or whistleblower issues, we’re happy to talk.

📞 312-779-1818
📩 Confidential consultations available.

Unsure what to do if you get fired? Learn the key steps to protect your rights, secure your final pay, and plan your next move after termination.

03/02/2026

It’s not always obvious when retaliation happens — and employers don’t always label it as such. If you’ve reported unsafe working conditions, discrimination, harassment, or any other workplace concern, you deserve to know your rights.

👉 Our new article breaks down how to recognize the signs of employer retaliation, what protections the law offers, and what steps you can take next.

Read now:

Learn how to recognize workplace retaliation after filing a complaint in Illinois. Understand your legal rights, warning signs, and steps to protect your job and your claim.

02/04/2026

🐾 Emotional Support Animals in Chicago Condos — Know Your Rights 🏙️

If you’re renting or buying a condo in Chicago and have an emotional support animal, you do have legal protections—but there are rules and pitfalls to watch for. We break it down in plain English in our latest article.

👉 Read here:

Chicago renters and condo buyers: Learn your rights regarding emotional support animals, ESA documentation requirements, and protections under fair housing law.

01/19/2026

Whether you’re moving to a new firm, starting your own practice, or navigating a difficult exit, how you leave matters just as much as when you leave.

Before you make a move, make sure you know your rights and obligations — including client notice requirements, fiduciary duties, ownership of files, non-competes, and common mistakes that can lead to malpractice exposure.

👉 https://www.1818legal.com/articles/leaving-a-law-firm-in-illinois/

Planning to leave your Illinois law firm? Get guidance on ethics compliance, client transitions, and protecting your license from attorneys who specialize in legal malpractice and employment law.

01/02/2026

No one should feel unsafe at work.
Understanding the difference between sexual harassment and sexual assault isn’t just legal jargon — it’s essential to protecting yourself and others.
We’ve laid it out simply so you can know your rights and your options.
✨ Read now:
https://www.1818legal.com/articles/sexual-harassment-vs-sexual-assault-at-work/

Sexual harassment and sexual assault at work are not the same. Learn the legal differences, why the distinction matters, and what steps you can take if it happens.

12/18/2025

Just fired and offered a severance package?
Don’t assume it’s final or that you have no leverage. Severance agreements often include broad releases and tight deadlines—and many can be negotiated. Talk to an attorney if you have questions.

Read more here:
👉 https://www.1818legal.com/articles/severance-package-when-fired/

Just got fired and handed a severance agreement? Don’t sign anything before reviewing your rights. Learn how to protect your future and negotiate better terms.

12/03/2025

No one should be punished for reporting sexual harassment, discrimination, or unsafe conditions. If you believe you were treated unfairly after raising a concern, 1818 is here to help you understand your rights.

Worried about retaliation after reporting or witnessing sexual harassment at work? Learn your rights, what protections exist, and how to take action if your employer punishes you for speaking up.

11/21/2025

If you’ve been fired, sexually harassed, discriminated against, or not paid the wages you earned… Contact us today.
You have rights — and we fight to enforce them.

Our Chicago employment lawyers fight for employees facing wrongful termination, wage disputes, harassment, and retaliation. Protect your rights today.

11/13/2025

Too many Illinois businesses still deny access to people with legitimate service animals or demand paperwork the law doesn’t require. These actions aren’t just improper—they’re discriminatory under both the ADA and the Illinois Human Rights Act.

My latest article explains the law, the limits on business inquiries, and what to do when someone’s rights are violated.

🔗 https://www.1818legal.com/articles/ada-illinois-service-animal-access-laws/

Denied access with your service animal? Federal and Illinois laws protect your right to bring trained service animals into public spaces. Learn how the law supports you and what to do if your rights are violated.