Jeff Nowak

  • Shareholder
  • Co-Chair, Leaves of Absence and Disability Accommodation Practice Group
  • Chicago

Jeff Nowak has decades of experience advising and litigating on behalf of employers on a wide range of complex employment law matters so they can run the most profitable business and efficient operations without being side-tracked by discrimination claims, strikes or other workplace issues.

Jeff is a recognized leader on FMLA and ADA issues, helping employers develop comprehensive strategies to achieve compliance with employee leave and accommodation issues. Jeff is lauded by clients for his ability to bring a practical approach and unflappable demeanor to the most sensitive and difficult situations, always with an eye on the client’s business and operational objectives. Given his experience in leave management and workplace accommodations, Jeff regularly counsels some of the country’s largest and diverse employers on these critical employment issues.

Jeff is the author of the highly regarded FMLA Insights blog, which has earned him entry into the ABA Journal’s Blogger Hall of Fame. He also is a highly-sought after speaker on FMLA/ADA issues, most notably serving on the faculty of the National Employment Law Institute (NELI) and a frequent speaker for the Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC).

Credentials & Recognition

Speaking Engagements

Top 10 FMLA Compliance Issues You Should Be Thinking About Right Now

  • May 9, 2024
  • Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ

From the "Judge's" Bench: A Report Card on 2022-2023 FMLA/ADA Developments

  • May 11, 2023
  • Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ

Happy Paper Trails: Creating Effective FMLA and ADA Policies, Templates and Practices that Won’t Go Off the (Legal) Rails

  • October 24, 2019
  • Florida Regional Employer Conference, Miami, FL

Complex FMLA Issues

  • April 2019
  • NELI’s ADA & FMLA Compliance Seminar, Chicago, IL

Managing Sick Leave Laws

  • November 2018
  • ABA Annual Labor & Employment Conference, San Francisco, CA

I Thought We Were Supposed to be Flexible? ADA Cases Post-Severson

  • August 2018
  • 2018 Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC) Annual Conference, Austin, TX

Six Ways Your Managers Are Causing FMLA & ADA Leave Lawsuits, and How to Train Them to Stop

  • June 2018
  • SHRM Annual Conference, Chicago, IL

FMLA and ADA Case Law Update

  • May 2018
  • 2018 Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC) Compliance Conference, Pittsburgh, PA

FMLA Update

  • April 2018
  • NELI’s ADA & FMLA Compliance Seminar, Chicago, IL

Practical Parental Leave Considerations in the Trump Era

  • August 2017
  • 2017 Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC) Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA

Analysis of EEOC’s Technical Document on Leave as a Reasonable Accommodation

  • June 2016
  • Webinar conducted by EEOC Commissioner Chai Feldblum

Complex FMLA Issues

  • April 23, 2016
  • NELI’s ADA & FMLA Compliance Seminar, Chicago, IL

Employment Law Update

  • May 20, 2015
  • NELI’s Employment Law Conference, Chicago, IL

Pregnancy Accommodation: Overview and Analysis of EEOC’s Guidance

  • April 20-23, 2015
  • 2015 Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC) Compliance Conference, Washington, D.C.

Why Do Employees Sue Their Employers in FMLA Lawsuits?

  • April 15-17, 2015
  • 2016 Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC) Compliance Conference, Pittsburgh, PA

Let us know how we can help you navigate your particular workplace legal issues.