PRO
Ethan G. Zelizer
also known as 630.551.8645
Virtual Consultation Available
About Ethan
Biography
Ethan G. Zelizer provides legal counsel on labor and employment matters, with a focus on compliance, litigation, and dispute resolution. He frequently represents clients in cases involving non-competition agreements, trade secret misappropriation, and workplace discrimination. His experience spans federal, state, and local employment laws, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the National Labor Relations Act. Ethan also assists businesses with corporate reorganizations, mergers, reductions-in-force, and workplace policies. Certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and a Certified Labor Relations Professional, he is an active member of the American Bar Association. In addition to his legal work, he teaches and speaks on labor law issues, providing practical guidance to employers and employees alike.
Severance, Unpaid Wages/Overtime, Discrimination, Retaliation, Trade Secrets, Non-Competes, Executive Compensation. We handle all employment law matters.
Executive Compensation, Human Resources, Labor & Employment Solutions.
Executive Compensation, Human Resources, Labor & Employment Solutions.
Executive Compensation, Human Resources, Labor & Employment Solutions.
Executive Compensation, Human Resources, Labor & Employment Solutions.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
23 years | 100 cases
23 years | 100 cases
23 years | 100 cases
23 years | 100 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
33%-33%
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in Illinois for 22 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 2003
No misconduct found
Location
HR Law Counsel, LLC
Fax
333 S Wacker, Suite 500, Chicago, IL, 60606
hrlawcounsel.com/HR Law Counsel, LLC
Fax
29 S. Webster Street, Suite 350-C, Naperville, IL, 60540
hrlawcounsel.com/Gallery
Ethan G. Zelizer's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 153 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Rob | December 1, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Best Guidance
I worked with Ethan during a complex executive separation process, and I cannot speak highly enough of his service. From our first conversation, he provided clear, practical, and thoroughly informed guidance on my employment agreement, helping me understand both my rights, and the company’s likely re...
Posted by anonymous | September 14, 2025 | Consulted Attorney
Ethan was great
Ethan is a consummate professional who helped me navigate some employment offer questions when I had nowhere else to turn. He’s a sharp-minded attorney, an excellent communicator, and I can’t recommend him enough.
Posted by Brian | May 16, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Solid Experience
I hired Ethan to negotiate my severance agreement with my previous employer. I believe that I was terminated for not going along with some unsavory activities in the CFO's office. They claimed I was let go due to a reorganization that only impacted ME. Ethan was able to marshal together all of my ...
Ethan Zelizer
Replied last May 16, 2024Brian, it was my pleasure to assist you. It is very gratifying to know a top notch individual like yourself eventually got what he deserved. You did everything right. I’m happy to know you.
Posted by Miguel | May 16, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Great Business Lawyer
We are a medium-sized logistics company that needed help. We had a dozen suits, many, many collections and the need for assistance with all employee/independent contractor issues. Ethan has significant experience and expertise in the transportation and logistics industry. He managed to get on top ...
Ethan Zelizer
Replied last May 16, 2024Thanks for the review. I am fortunate to have you as a client and look forward to helping you grow your business.
Posted by Peter | March 1, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Great experience
Hired Ethan to negotiate my exit from one employer and my deal with new employer. Everything was top notch. Great guy too.
Ethan G. Zelizer's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Ethan cares deeply about his clients and, as I have seen from negotiating on the other side of him, advocates zealously for them. He is extremely knowledge in employment/labor law."
"Ethan is a conscientious, knowledgeable, zealous, and forthright attorney. His skills go well beyond labor and employment law and he takes an active interest in finding the best course of action for his clients, even if it reduces the number of hours he will spend on a matter."
"The very first deposition I ever attended as a summer associate was shadowing Ethan! Our time together was brief but he was smart, thoughtful, and generous with his time. I highly endorse him."
"I endorse this lawyer. I'm an Illinois-based employment discrimination lawyer who focuses my caseload on severance and settlement agreement negotiations when employees allege race discrimination, gender discrimination and disability discrimination. Even though our practice areas overlap, our firm frequently refers cases to Attorney Zelizer because of his great reputation, especially for non-compete terms and executive compensation. His client reviews speak for themselves."
"I highly endorse Mr. Zelizer. Truly exceptional and caring attorney who produces great results in representing clients! I want all people with legal problems to contact him first."
"Ethan is hardworking, intelligent, and very knowledgeable about employment and labor law. I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer. Intelligent and compassionate with superior communication skills."
"Keen attention to detail with exceptional client service. I endorse this lawyer."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A top-notch attorney, highly respected in the legal community."
"When you find yourself in need of an employment/labor law attorney it is important to retain an experienced, knowledgeable and competent lawyer. Mr. Zelizer is well respected in the legal community for those reasons."
"I endorse this lawyer. Consummate professional in every regard. My highest recommendation. Can be counted on to get results in the toughest cases."
"This lawyer does a great job for the community. I endorse this lawyer"
"This lawyer does a great job with the community. I endorse this lawyer"
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
Employment and labor lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Immigration lawyer
Family lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Employment and labor lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Experience
Honors
2013
Section and Chair of the Year, Chicago Bar Association
2004
Section Rising Star Award, Chicago Bar Association
Work Experience
2015 - Present
General Counsel, Serra International
2014 - Present
Founder, Attorney, HR Law Counsel, LLC
2005 - Present
Professor, Loyola University Chicago School Of Law
2012 - 2014
Senior Associate, Littler Mendelson
2010 - 2012
Senior Associate, Dla Piper Us, LLP
2008 - 2010
Associate, Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker
2006 - 2008
Associate, Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP (Formerly Gardner Carton & Douglas)
2004 - 2005
Associate, Morgan Lewis & Bockius
1999 - 2004
Paralegal, Summer Associate, Associate, Vedder Price Kaufman & Kammholz
Associations
2015 - Present
American Society of Legal AdvocatesMember
2003 - Present
Chicago Bar AssocationMember
2003 - Present
American Bar AssocationMember
2008 - 2012
American Bar AssociationCommittee Chair
2003 - 2012
Chicago Bar AssocationCommittee Chair
Sample of Legal Cases
Judgment in favor of client.
Judgment in favor of client.
Education
2003
JD - Juris Doctor
2000
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2012
Non-competes in the Electronic Workplace: Solicitation in the Age of Social Media
2012
Non-Statutory Employment Claims: Employer-Employee Privacy Concerns in Social Media,
2010
Social Media – Using It For Litigation, IICLE 14th Annual Labor and Employment Law Update
Publications
2012
2012
2009
2008
2002
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Top Contributor
Ethan earned significant contribution points in 2015.
Legal Answers
Financial compensation for lost wages?
22 Sep 2025
How do I deal with an employee who had a stroke and is now disabled?
23 Sep 2025
Can a job modify information in its handbook that may supersede, modify or eliminate existing policy and be binding to employees
23 Sep 2025