Overview

When corporations, from startups to Fortune 500 and global companies, face difficult cases that are going to trial or need creative, forward-thinking solutions to their labor and employment law challenges, they call J.T. Wilson III.

A diverse lead trial attorney, J.T. helps his clients manage risks and minimize financial exposure in arbitrations; in proceedings before various federal, state, and local administrative agencies; and in single, multiple, class, and collective plaintiff lawsuits filed in federal and state courts across the country involving a panoply of employment-related issues. He has represented clients in matters involving the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA), the First Amendment, joint employers, Monell claims, official/police misconduct, OSHA violations, retaliation, wage and hour disputes, whistleblowing, and worker misclassification, among others.

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J.T. also conducts fast yet thorough internal investigations into alleged claims of misconduct in the workplace and provides trainings, workshops, and lectures on employment-related topics. Additionally, clients seek his practical advice and counseling on various complex business operations and employment initiatives, as well as cybersecurity and data privacy matters.

Committed to fostering diversity in the legal profession, J.T. partners with industry leaders to advance and drive the success of diverse law students through relevant educational programming, vibrant social activities, and financial support through merit scholarships. As a civic leader, he frequently participates in food and clothing drives, delivers motivational speeches, and empowers others to positively engage and impact their work environments and local communities through tangible acts of service. And J.T. is an active member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, the National Employment Law Council, the International Association of Defense Counsel, and the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel. He frequently gives presentations on timely issues impacting the interests of industry partners and affecting the legal community.

Before joining Epstein Becker Green, J.T. was a member of the board of directors of a national law firm and led its Labor and Employment team in Chicago. 

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Focus Areas

Experience

  • Secured summary judgment in favor of a global financial services client and against a former employee for alleged willful interference and violation of the employee’s Family and Medical Leave Act rights.
  • Secured summary judgment from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois – Eastern Division for a transportation client and against a former employee who alleged unlawful race discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
  • Obtained a dismissal from the Circuit Court of the 18th Judicial Circuit – County of DuPage, Illinois, for a transportation client and against a competitor company that alleged breach of contract, misappropriation under the Illinois Trade Secrets Act, tortious interference with business relations, and tortious interference with contract associated with the hire of several the plaintiff’s former employees.
  • Defended a railroad company after a sworn peace officer sued under the FELA for injuries allegedly suffered during a defensive tactics training session. The plaintiff claimed that the railroad company negligently failed to inspect the equipment the officer was assigned before facilitating its use during training. J.T. tried the case to verdict, securing a favorable outcome for the client.
  • As lead counsel, managed the defense against numerous wage and hour class/collective action lawsuits pending before courts in Illinois, Maryland, and New York, including defending a home health care agency client’s “on call” policies against a potential wage and hour class action suit before a federal district court.
  • Obtained summary judgment from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District Illinois – Eastern Division for a public official / municipal client and against a plaintiff who was alleging gender discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
  • Secured judgment from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Equal Rights Division in favor of a transportation client and against a former employee alleging unlawful discrimination and wrongful termination following a three-day evidentiary hearing.
  • Defended a national roofing company client's fall protection and site inspection policies in administrative law proceedings brought by OSHA and the Department of Labor before the OSHRC.
  • Obtained summary judgment from the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois - Law Division, in favor of an employer/municipal client and against multiple employee-plaintiffs for alleged workplace discrimination, including, but not limited to, breach of an employment contract, retaliation, and violation of the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act.
  • Managed the defense against causes of action alleging unlawful discrimination in violation of state anti-discrimination statutes in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
  • Secured the dismissal of a complaint from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in favor of a transportation client and against an employee alleging unlawful discrimination, wrongful termination, breach of contract, and civil conspiracy under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 1981, and the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law.
  • Defended a publishing company client’s worker classification procedures against alleged disability discrimination and failure to accommodate charges (in violation of the ADA) before the EEOC and Illinois Department of Human Rights.

Recognition

  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Chicago Fellows Alumni Co-City Lead
  • Crain’s Chicago Business, Crain’s 2020 Notable Minorities in Accounting, Consulting & Law

Credentials

Education

  • DePaul University College of Law (J.D., 2002)
  • University of Illinois (B.A., 1999)

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan

Professional & Community Involvement

  • American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Trial Institute, Faculty Member
  • Defense Research Institute, Member
  • The Economic Club of Chicago, Member
  • International Association of Defense Counsel
    • 2018 Trial Academy, Faculty Member
    • Engagement and Retention Committee, Member
    • International Membership Board, Member
    • Website Taskforce, Member
    • 2018 Trial Academy, Faculty Member
    • Employment Law Committee, Vice Chair of Publications/Newsletter
  • National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
    • Executive Committee, Member
    • Young Attorneys Executive Advisory Board, Member
  • National Employment Law Council
    • ABA/NELC Employment Law Trial Institute Committee, Co-Chair
    • Outside Counsel Committee, Co-Chair
  • University of Illinois at Chicago Chancellor’s Athletics Advisory Committee, Member

Media

Events

Past Events

  • ABA Labor and Employment Law Trial Institute
    September 7-10, 2023
  • Violence in the Workplace: Critical Information to Help Protect Your Employees and Your Business
  • Leading the Press for Equity
  • Parallel Investigations
  • Race, Age & Re-entry at Work in the COVID Climate: Understanding Generational Shifts in Attitudes on Diversity to Maximize Unique Talent and Belongingness
  • Minority Business Enterprise Webinar Series: Practical Employment Considerations for a Returning Workforce
  • Minority Business Enterprise Webinar Series: Practical Employment Considerations for a Returning Workforce
  • The Art of Visual Storytelling at Trial
  • Analyzing the Impact of Marijuana Laws on Employers
  • UIC CHANCE Program: Annual Black History Month Breakfast
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Insights

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