Brette Bensinger focuses her practice in the area of labor and employment law, representing management for both public and private sector clients. In addition to contract negotiation, her practice includes representing employers in lawsuits involving harassment and discrimination claims, including defending government agencies in First Amendment free speech claims as well as civil rights and excessive force causes of action. Ms. Bensinger’s experience also includes successful representation of clients facing allegations of overtime and Fair Labor Standards Act infractions, both within the context of United States Department of Labor investigations as well as private litigation.

In addition to defending clients in state and federal courts, Ms. Bensinger regularly advocates before federal and state administrative agencies including the Illinois Human Rights Commission, the United States Equal Opportunity Commission and the United States Department of Labor. She also has experience defending clients in premises liability and regulatory matters. Ms. Bensinger joined Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP as an associate in September 2005. Previously she was a law clerk with the firm.

During the summer of 2003, Ms. Bensinger was a judicial extern to a federal district court judge for the Northern District of Illinois. During her tenure as a judicial extern, Ms. Bensinger assisted in drafting judicial opinions.

During law school Ms. Bensinger clerked in the Crime Victims Division of the Office of the Illinois Attorney General and in Preliminary Hearings at the Cook County State’s Attorney Office.

Prior to her legal career, Ms. Bensinger was a project manager for an event marketing company, handling corporate sponsorship programs and contracts for music festivals nationwide.

She spent a school year studying in Spain and is proficient in Spanish. Ms. Bensinger’s presentations include,

• “Discrimination Law101 – Evidence and Burdens of Proof in Discrimination and Retaliation Cases, Hinshaw’s 2010 Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, October 2010.
• “Stop Unauthorized Overtime: How to Implement and Effective, Legally Sound Tracking and Discipline Program,” Business & Legal Reports, Inc., audio conference, July 2009.
• “Payroll Basics: What HR Professionals Need to Know About Payroll Administration; Get Up to Speed Now,” Business & Legal Reports, Inc., audio conference, December 2007.

Ms. Bensinger serves on the Founder's Board of Children's Memorial Hospital and is a member of the Board's Advocacy Committee. She is also a member of World Sport Chicago, the legacy group formed from Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid, which promotes youth involvement in sports as a means of personal and community development in Chicago. She served as a mentor in the World Sport Chicago Scholars program and received the Mentor of the Year award.