Biography

Mr. Pauling is a partner whose practice focuses on employment litigation and traditional labor law. He has represented employers in a wide variety of state and federal court matters, including litigation of employment contract claims, harassment claims, and discrimination claims brought under Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, and various other state and federal statutes. Mr. Pauling also has extensive experience representing management in labor relations matters, including collective bargaining, labor arbitration, representation campaigns, and litigation before the National Labor Relations Board. Mr. Pauling also provides advice, training and counseling to clients regarding employment policies and practices and diversity issues. He Chairs the firm’s Chicago Office Hiring Committee and Co-Chairs the firm’s National Diversity Action Team.

Gerald is a member of the Leading Lawyers Network, recognized by his peers as a leading practitioner in the labor and employment law area. He has been featured in “Diversity & The Bar” magazine as a “Cutting Edge Labor and Employment Practitioner.” And, he was selected in 2006 by Law Bulletin Publishing Company as one of Illinois “40 Under Forty to Watch.”

Mr. Pauling’s legal experience includes a clerkship at the City of Chicago Law Department and an externship with the Honorable Terry J. Hatter, Jr., federal judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles.

Education

J.D., University of California, Los Angeles School of Law (1992)

Winner, UCLA Moot Court Competition (1990-91)
UCLA National Team, National Moot Court Tournament (1991-92)
UCLA Moot Court Executive Board of Justices (1991-92)
National Black Law Journal, Business Managing Editor (1990-91)
Black Law Students Association, Treasurer (1990-91)
Teaching Assistant, Legal Research and Writing (1990-91)

B.S., University of Illinois, College of Commerce (1989)

Admissions

• Illinois

Courts

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, Sixth, Seventh, and Eleventh Circuits
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law and no certificate, award or recognition is a requirement to practice law in Illinois.