1818 - Law Firm

06/12/2026

Offered a severance agreement in Illinois? Before you sign, make sure you understand what rights you may be giving up and whether the offer truly protects your interests. Severance agreements can include releases of legal claims, confidentiality terms, non-disparagement language, restrictive covenants, and deadlines that may affect your options. At 1818 Legal, we help employees review severance offers, identify potential concerns, and make informed decisions before signing. Learn more:

If you were handed a severance agreement in Illinois, do not assume it is "standard" or that you must sign it immediately. In many cases, severance

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.