A respected labor and employment attorney, Paul J. Cherner has more than 30 years experience in advising businesses on compliance with labor and employment laws. He serves as outside labor and employment counsel to corporations within various manufacturing and service industries.

Based on his extensive litigation experience, Mr. Cherner has been admitted as a member of the Federal Trial Bar. He has represented clients in employment law matters before federal and local administrative agencies, as well as in federal and state courts in numerous states and the District of Columbia. He has also represented employers in various alternative dispute resolutions forums, including mediation and arbitration. Mr. Cherner has represented employers in more than 100 union organizing efforts, as well as in collective bargaining negotiations and arbitration proceedings. Prior to joining Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Mr. Cherner chaired the labor and employment law practice group at two other prominent Chicago law firms. He began his career with the National Labor Relations Board as a trial attorney and then as Legal Assistant to a Board Member of the N.L.R.B.

Mr. Cherner has been recognized by his peers as a Leading Lawyer in the category of Employment Law: Management. In 2009 he was included on the Super Lawyer list in the area of Employment & Labor Law, by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine. In addition, he holds the AV® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for ethics and legal ability.

Mr. Cherner has served as an adjunct professor of law at Chicago-Kent College of Law. Mr. Cherner has spoken at numerous seminars on labor and employment law subjects for clients, trade associations, professional associations and continuing professional education seminar organizations. His presentations include:

• “Difficult Economic Times: Legal Considerations of Downsizing,” Hinshaw’s 2008 Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, Oak Brook, Illinois, November 2008.
• “Payroll Basics: What HR Professionals Need to Know About Payroll Administration; Get Up to Speed Now,” Business & Legal Reports, Inc., national audio conference, December 2007.
• “Employment Law (Discrimination) Update,” Hinshaw seminar “Effectively Dealing with Current Labor & Employment Issues,” Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, November 2007.
• “A Brief Primer on Employment Laws,” Community Bankers Association of Illinois, Springfield, Illinois, October 2007.
• “FLSA Issues: The Overtime Time Bomb,” Hinshaw seminar “Effectively Dealing with Current Labor & Employment Issues,” Oak Brook, Illinois, November 2006.
• “Avoiding Wage & Hour Lawsuits: Live,” audio conference “Ask-the-Expert Session on Overtime Exemptions, Meal Periods, and More,” December 2005.
• “Privacy and the Electronic Workplace,” Hinshaw seminar “Effectively Dealing with Current Labor & Employment Issues,” Lisle, Illinois, November 2005.
• “FMLA and Other Leave of Absence Laws,” Hinshaw seminar “Effectively Dealing with Current Labor & Employment Issues,” Chicago, Illinois, September 2005.
• “Survey of the New Illinois Employment Laws Passed in 2003 & 2004,” DCBA Mega Meeting, Lisle, Illinois, January 2005.
• “Recent Changes in Employee Benefits Laws and Rules,” Hinshaw seminar “Effectively Dealing with Current Labor & Employment Issues, Chicago, Illinois, December 2004.

His publications include:

• “Leave for Military Family Members – What Employers Need to Know,” Workforce Management, June 2009.
• “Frequently Asked Human Resource Questions,” column, Illinois Banker, March 2008.
• "A Review of Recent Seventh Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court Cases on the Americans with Disabilities Act," John Marshall Law Review (Summer 2003).
• "NLRB Jurisdiction" – a chapter in "The Labor Law Handbook," IICLE in five subsequent editions.
• "The Labor Law Handbook," Co-Editor, IICLE, first through the third edition.
• "Rude Awakenings, Overcoming the Civility Crises in the Workplace" [Dearborn Publishers, 2002] – Book Review – Wisconsin Bar Journal, 2003.
• “A Review of the U.S. Supreme Court Opinions on the ADA” – BCBSA Monthly Legal Bulletin (Fall, 2002).
• "The Headcount Solution," McGraw Hill, 2003, served as advisor on legal aspects, authored sample legal agreements.

Mr. Cherner is actively involved in community organizations, including the Sinai Health System Board of Trustees where he was elected an Honorary Director for Life after completing a two-year term as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He previously was the  Chairman of the Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital of Trustees and the Vice Chairman of the International Hillel Foundation. He has served in leadership roles in several other charitable organizations.