People: Rachel S. Urquhart, Counsel
Biography
Ms. Urquhart is counsel in the Labor and Employment Department in the Chicago office of Seyfarth Shaw LLP. She has represented employers in labor and employment matters since 1999. Ms. Urquhart’s litigation practice encompasses the defense of discrimination and wage and hour lawsuits, including multi-plaintiff and class actions. She regularly defends sensitive employment disputes including whistleblower retaliation claims and executive severance and bonus issues.
Ms. Urquhart also litigates claims brought under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), specializing in the defense of claims for benefits and breach of fiduciary duty. She has obtained dismissal of ERISA claims throughout the United States including successful argument of ERISA denial of benefits issues before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Ms. Urquhart counsels clients regarding a wide range of employment concerns, including navigating disability accommodation and FMLA leave issues, investigating and resolving harassment complaints, and general compliance with respect to all state and federal employment laws. She also represents employers in union arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges, and election campaigns.
While in law school, Ms. Urquhart served a judicial externship with the Honorable Rebecca R. Pallmeyer of the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She has also served as the Executive Director of The Arc Kent County, a non-profit advocacy organization for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Ms. Urquhart is counsel in the Labor and Employment Department in the Chicago office of Seyfarth Shaw LLP. She has represented employers in labor and employment matters since 1999. Ms. Urquhart’s litigation practice encompasses the defense of discrimination and wage and hour lawsuits, including multi-plaintiff and class actions. She regularly defends sensitive employment disputes including whistleblower retaliation claims and executive severance and bonus issues.
Ms. Urquhart also litigates claims brought under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), specializing in the defense of claims for benefits and breach of fiduciary duty. She has obtained dismissal of ERISA claims throughout the United States including successful argument of ERISA denial of benefits issues before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Ms. Urquhart counsels clients regarding a wide range of employment concerns, including navigating disability accommodation and FMLA leave issues, investigating and resolving harassment complaints, and general compliance with respect to all state and federal employment laws. She also represents employers in union arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges, and election campaigns.
While in law school, Ms. Urquhart served a judicial externship with the Honorable Rebecca R. Pallmeyer of the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She has also served as the Executive Director of The Arc Kent County, a non-profit advocacy organization for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Education
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J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology (1999)
with honors - B.A., Michigan State University (1991)
Admissions
- Michigan
- Illinois
Courts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Circuits
- U.S. District Court for the Northern and Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan
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U.S. District Court for the Districts of Michigan
