Biography

Ms. Leka is of counsel practicing in the area of labor and employment law, focusing on traditional labor matters as well as those involving employment litigation and the public sector.  In that role, she has successfully represented both public and private sector clients in grievance and interest arbitrations, unfair labor practices and Union representation proceedings, constitutional and discrimination litigation, as well as negotiated over 150 collective bargaining agreements.  Ms. Leka also advises Illinois municipalities in a variety of municipal law matters.

From 1988 to 1993, Ms. Leka served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Springfield, Illinois.  As Assistant Corporation Counsel, Ms. Leka represented and advised City of Springfield officials on all aspects of municipal, labor, employment, discrimination and benefit issues.  She also represented the City in grievance arbitration, interest arbitration, labor board proceedings and state and federal court litigation.  In addition, Ms. Leka negotiated multiple collective bargaining agreements, including agreements for police, fire, clerical, professional, maintenance and craft employees.

In 1987 and 1988, Ms. Leka functioned as Labor Relations Counsel for the State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services.  In that capacity, she participated in collective bargaining negotiations for contracts covering 40,000 employees on behalf of the State of Illinois, represented state agencies in arbitration and labor board proceedings and advised state agencies on disciplinary matters, contract administration and other employment-related issues.

Ms. Leka currently serves as General Counsel for the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association, is on the ISBA Labor & Employment Law Section Council (serving as the Legislative Committee Co-Chair) and previously served on the ISBA Employee Benefits Council (and as co-editor of the Council’s newsletter), the Professional Women’s Council, and President of the Central Illinois Women’s Bar Association. Ms. Leka is author or co-author of “Freedom of Speech in the Public Workplace” (CABA 1998), “Illinois Statutes Affecting Public Employee Relations” (IPELRA 1995), and “Survey of Employment Law” (1993 Southern Illinois University Law Journal). She has conducted numerous training programs and is a frequent speaker on various labor and employment topics.

Education

Admissions

• Illinois
• Missouri