Laura Garofalo Law, LLC

Within the "Nearby Lawyers" category, Laura Garofalo Law, LLC distinguishes itself as a highly specialized law firm focused exclusively on employment law, primarily serving employers. Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, the firm offers strategic and proactive legal counsel designed to help businesses navigate the complexities of workplace regulations, mitigate risks, and foster compliant and productive environments. This focused approach makes Laura Garofalo Law, LLC an invaluable resource for companies seeking expert guidance in human resources and employment-related legal matters.

The office of Laura Garofalo Law, LLC is situated at 242 N York St Suite 212, Elmhurst, IL 60126, USA. Elmhurst is a well-regarded suburban community within the greater Chicago metropolitan area, offering a professional yet accessible setting for businesses. The office location within a suite at a commercial address on N York Street suggests a modern and professional environment, conducive to client consultations and legal work. While specific details about the interior aesthetics are not publicly detailed, a law firm specializing in corporate employment law would typically maintain a confidential, organized, and business-focused atmosphere. Such an environment is designed to ensure privacy for sensitive discussions and to convey a sense of competence and reliability to clients. The Elmhurst location provides convenient access for businesses located throughout DuPage County and the surrounding Chicagoland suburbs, reinforcing its role as a "Nearby Lawyer" for local employers.

Laura Garofalo Law, LLC offers a comprehensive suite of employment law services tailored for employers. Their core focus is on preventative strategies, helping businesses avoid costly employment litigation by addressing potential issues before they escalate. This includes providing day-to-day Human Resources counseling, offering guidance on workplace decisions to minimize legal risks. They specialize in the review and creation of HR policies and employee handbooks, ensuring they are legally compliant, well-drafted, and easily understood by employees. This proactive approach extends to advising clients on proper employee pay practices, including classification of employees as exempt or non-exempt, payment of overtime, and payout of wages, ensuring compliance with wage and hour laws. The firm also assists with reduction-in-force analyses, helping clients plan and implement layoffs while minimizing the risk of discrimination claims through disparate impact analyses. Furthermore, Laura Garofalo Law, LLC conducts independent investigations into employee complaints or potential workplace violations when employers lack the internal resources or desire unbiased judgment. If litigation becomes unavoidable, they represent employers responding to state or federal discrimination charges, preparing responses and representing clients at agency proceedings and mediation.

A significant feature of Laura Garofalo Law, LLC is the extensive experience and unique background of its founder, Laura Garofalo. With nearly two decades of employment law experience, she brings a dual perspective, having worked both as an outside counsel at one of the country's largest law firms and as an in-house employment attorney for a Fortune 500 company. This "big firm quality without big firm rates" is a distinct advantage, providing clients with senior-level expertise at more competitive hourly rates. Her prior experience as a Human Resources professional before becoming a lawyer is particularly noteworthy. This practical HR background gives her a deep understanding of workplace dynamics and culture, enabling her to provide legal advice that is not only legally sound but also practically implementable and considerate of a business's operational realities. She understands that legal advice must align with a company's culture and desired workplace atmosphere. Laura Garofalo's role as a trainer for Fair Measures, Inc. since 2018, where she delivers legal training to executives, HR professionals, and managers on topics such as harassment prevention, discrimination, leaves of absence, and effective workplace communication, further highlights her expertise and commitment to proactive education. This training capability is also offered directly to her clients, empowering them to create respectful and productive work environments and avoid future legal challenges.

The services provided by Laura Garofalo Law, LLC are characterized by their strategic, preventative, and client-culture-aware approach. They offer comprehensive employment practices audits to proactively identify potential areas of liability, covering aspects like hiring practices, independent contractor retention, and accommodation for disabilities. Their counsel on employee pay practices extends to ensuring proper classification and payment of wages, crucial for avoiding costly disputes. When assisting with HR policy and guideline creation, they work closely with clients to tailor documents to fit specific needs and maintain consistency in tricky situations. For workplace investigations, they provide independent judgment, credibility assessment, evidence review, and recommendations for next steps. The training programs they offer are designed to be engaging and practical, equipping managers and HR teams with the knowledge to "stay out of court" by fostering respectful workplaces and understanding legal obligations. The firm’s commitment to preventing employment litigation underscores a philosophy that aims to save clients significant time, money, and disruption by addressing issues before they escalate into formal disputes or lawsuits. Their approach is truly partnership-oriented, focusing on long-term solutions and robust compliance.

In terms of promotional information, Laura Garofalo Law, LLC emphasizes its specialized focus on employment law for employers, clearly articulating its target clientele. Their contact information, (773) 209-3745 and mobile +1 773-209-3745, provides direct lines for businesses seeking their expertise. The firm's key promotional message revolves around "Big Firm Quality Without Big Firm Rates," appealing to businesses that desire high-level legal advice but are mindful of costs. They also highlight their flexibility to offer fixed fees for services, providing transparency and predictability in legal expenses. The emphasis on "employment litigation prevention" and "proactive approach" speaks directly to the needs of businesses that prioritize risk mitigation and a healthy workplace culture. Laura Garofalo's unique blend of in-house and large firm experience, coupled with her HR background, serves as a powerful differentiator and promotional asset. Her role as a trainer for Fair Measures also showcases her expertise and credibility within the employment law community. By offering services that address the day-to-day HR challenges and provide strategic long-term solutions, Laura Garofalo Law, LLC positions itself as an essential partner for employers in Elmhurst and the surrounding Chicagoland area, making them a highly relevant entry within the "Nearby Lawyers" category for businesses seeking specialized employment law counsel.