"I understand client objectives and appreciate the specific business as well as possible legal outcomes in negotiating agreements, so my clients can minimize risk and maximize long-term success."
Shelley is a member of HMB’s Business and Finance Group, providing clients with general business counsel and transactional advice focused on growth strategies.
Innovative Solutions, Growth Mindset
Shelley devotes her time to all aspects of business planning for middle-market companies, from sales and supply chain to acquisitions and exit strategies. She represents privately-held companies and their investors, executives, investor groups and family offices in the technology, engineering, media and telecommunications, manufacturing, distribution, logistics, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries and has deep experience negotiating with big-box retailers on supply and service agreements.
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Addressing a wide range of employment issues, Shelley has delved deeply into the new COVID-19 laws and along with other employment issues advises companies on compliance with obligations under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Workers’ Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act and other state, federal and local employment laws. This includes drafting and implementing COVID-19 Response Plans and documents, restrictive covenant agreements, harassment and discrimination policies and prevention programs, employee handbooks and drug testing policies and programs.
Clients rely on Shelley to implement a wide range of tax-advantaged capital structures, shareholder and family-ownership structures, and private-equity and venture-capital structures to enhance growth and facilitate optimal exit strategies.
Education
Washington University, J.D.
Washington University, M.A. in Islamic and Near Eastern Studies
Washington University, B.A. in Jewish and Near Eastern Studies with honors
Admissions
California
Illinois
Professional Memberships
- Washington University Journal of Urban and Contemporary Law, Editor
- American Bar Association, Member
- Chicago Bar Association, Member
- Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association, Member
- Advocate for Community Resource Center, Member
Publications
- Chicago City Council Approves COVID-19 Anti-Retaliation Ordinance; OSHA and CDC Release Additional GuidanceMay 26, 2020
Chicago Anti-Retaliation Ordinance On May 20, 2020, effective immediately, the Chicago City Council approved an ordinance that prohibits employers from terminating or demoting an employee because the employee stayed home from work in compliance with a health order or to care for a person subject to a health order. Employees who are terminated or demoted will now be able to…
- Additional Illinois and Federal Employment Updates Regarding the Families First and Coronavirus Response Act and Other MattersApril 28, 2020
Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Updates After initially voting 9-0-1 to approve a new emergency rule that created a rebuttable presumption that the workplace is the cause of an employee contracting COVID-19 to the extent such employee works for an essential business, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (the “Commission”) met yesterday, April 27, to formally withdraw the rule. The Illinois Manufacturers’…
- U.S. Department of Labor Issues Temporary Regulations to Implement Families First Coronavirus Response Act, New OSHA Poster and Updates Regarding Expanded Illinois Unemployment BenefitsApril 8, 2020
Families First Coronavirus Response Act On April 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued temporary regulations (the “Rule”) to implement the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”), providing additional guidance to employers and employees on how to provide and take expanded family and medical leave or paid sick leave (collectively, “Leave”) under the FFCRA. A copy of the…
- Payroll Protection Loan Program UpdateApril 1, 2020
The Small Business Administration has released the application for the Paycheck Protection Program and loans available pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The Treasury Department has released an information sheet for borrowers, which can be found here. Additional information can be found at the Treasury Department’s website, found here. The Treasury Department has encouraged…
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Department of Labor Provides Additional GuidanceApril 1, 2020
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “FCCRA”) was signed into law on March 18, 2020. Since then, questions as to scope and applicability have been raised by employers and employees alike. The U.S. Department of Labor has and continues to provide guidance as to how employers and employees should interrupt the FFCRA. A summary of the FCCRA can be…
Events
- Keith H. Berk, Shelley H. Koren and Alicia A. Handy Present "Preparing for Employee COVID-19 Claims" to the YPO Chicagoland Chapter - 6/10/20June 8, 2020
As Illinois and other states have begun to roll-back stay at home orders, employers need to be prepared for employee COVID-19 claims. Join YPO Gold Chicago Member and HMB Partner, Keith H. Berk, and his COVID-19 Task Force members Shelley H. Koren and Alicia A. Handy for a discussion on how to prepare your business in managing COVID-19 in the…
- Keith H. Berk, Shelley H. Koren and Alicia A. Handy Present "Preparing for Employee COVID-19 Claims" to the YPO Chicago Gold Chapter - 5/20/20May 13, 2020
As Illinois and other states begin to roll back stay-at-home orders, employers need to be prepared for employee COVID-19 claims. YPO Chicago Gold Chapter member, Keith H. Berk, will be joined by COVID-19 task force members Shelley H. Koren and Alicia A. Handy to discuss how to prepare your business to manage COVID-19 in the workplace. This YPO Chicago Gold…
- Shelley H. Koren and Alicia A. Handy Present a Webinar - "Preparing for Employee COVID-19 Claims" - 5/14/20May 1, 2020
As Illinois and other states begin to rollback stay-at-home orders, employers need to be prepared for employee COVID-19 claims. Please join us for a 45 minute discussion on how to prepare your business to manage COVID-19 in the workplace. The discussion will include guidance on: What to do when an employee notifies you that they have COVID-19 What to do…
