Ms. Koehler partners with and represents employers in labor and employment law matters from preventative training and counseling to litigation. Renée has a nationwide practice and successfully defends employers in all types of litigation including but not limited to Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act, FLSA class action; state and local discrimination and harassment cases; non-compete cases; Computer Fraud and Abuse Act cases; Trade Secrets Act and breach of confidentiality cases; retaliatory discharge; wrongful discharge; breach of contract; wage and hour; and qui tam cases in state and federal courts. She also has extensive experience in representing employers at various administrative agencies including the Department of Labor, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the OFCCP, the Illinois Department of Human Rights and agencies in numerous other states. In addition to handling discrimination and harassment claims, Renee regularly provides preventative training to Employers and their supervisors on discrimination and harassment topics.
Renée is licensed to practice in Illinois and is admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Indiana, Eastern District of Wisconsin, Western District of Wisconsin, and the United States 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree concentrating in Human Resources Management from Northern Illinois University and graduated cum laude from The John Marshall Law School where she was published and an editor on Law Review.
Ms. Koehler is a long-time associate member of the Chicago chapter of CFMA and was recently recognized as an Associate of the Year along with her partner, Stephanie Dinkel. Renee is a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the DuPage County Bar Association and is a regular speaker on employment law topics for trade associations and CLE seminars. Renee litigated one of the few Federal Appellate Court decisions awarding her client attorneys’ fees and costs for defending against a Union Trust Funds’ collections action pursuant to ERISA. See: James T. Sullivan v. William A. Randolph, Inc., 504 F.3d 665; 2007 U.S. App. LEXIS 23357; 155 Lab. Cas (CCH) P10,915;41 Employee Benefits Cas. (BNA) 2554.