Merrick Law Firm LLC

Merrick Law Firm LLC represents individual employees in employment disputes across Chicago and Omaha, exclusively advocating for workers against employers of all sizes. Founded by Michael J. Merrick, a Super Lawyer with over 30 years of experience, the firm specializes in sexual harassment, disability discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and other employment law matters.

About

Merrick Law Firm LLC represents individual employees in employment disputes across the Chicago and Omaha areas. With offices in both cities, the firm exclusively advocates for workers against employers of all sizes—from small businesses to large corporations—working to balance the inherent power imbalance that employees face when opposing well-resourced employers backed by multiple layers of legal counsel.

Michael J. Merrick founded the firm and brings over 30 years of employment law experience to his practice. He has earned AV/Preeminent status and has been named a Super Lawyer from 2012 through 2025, a distinction reflecting recognition as one of the top 5% of practicing employment lawyers in Illinois and Nebraska.

The firm's practice encompasses the full spectrum of employment law concerns. Merrick Law Firm advises clients on employment contracts and their enforceability, negotiates severance packages with attention to obligations under laws such as the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, and pursues litigation when necessary. The firm's attorneys understand how various aspects of the employment relationship interact—for instance, how contract terms may require arbitration rather than court proceedings, or how federal and state employment laws create overlapping protections and obligations.

A significant focus of the practice involves representing employees who have experienced sexual assault or harassment at work. The firm handles cases ranging from unwanted physical contact to more severe conduct, as well as cases involving sexual hostility, unwelcome advances, or gender-based mistreatment that falls short of overtly sexual conduct. The firm recognizes the lasting psychological harm such conduct inflicts and works within the evolving legal landscape in which courts increasingly hold employers accountable for failing to prevent and stop workplace sexual misconduct.

The firm also represents the families of employees who have died by suicide in cases where workplace harassment or discrimination may have contributed to that tragic outcome. These matters require appointing a personal representative through probate to advance claims on behalf of the deceased, and the firm emphasizes the importance of timely consultation given applicable filing deadlines.

Another core area of practice focuses on disability and serious illness. Merrick Law Firm represents employees with permanent disabilities, those recovering from serious medical conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, or heart disease, and those with temporary impairments from injury or illness. The firm ensures clients understand their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, including the right to reasonable accommodations such as medical leave and the prohibition against discrimination or retaliation based on disability status.

The firm also handles cases involving retaliation, wrongful termination, age discrimination, whistleblower claims, and other violations of federal laws including the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as well as comparable state and local protections.

Overview compiled from the firm's website