For over 25 years, Julie Bruch has been the go-to attorney for countless Illinois employers seeking legal advice related to employment law. Illinois attorneys rely on Julie to provide timely updates and advice on employment law to Illinois lawyers and judges through her Employment Law Column in the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IDC) Quarterly Magazine.
Prior to joining IFMK Law, Julie was a partner at the Northbrook, Illinois firm of O’Halloran Kosoff Geitner & Cook, LLC and where she had been since 1998. She oversaw the firm’s Employment Practices Group which represents clients throughout the State of Illinois. Julie has successfully argued employment and civil rights-related cases before both federal and state courts. Her extensive legal experience encompasses defending employers against Section 1983, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, and state law discrimination claims.
Julie regularly provides training and seminars in all areas of employment law throughout the State of Illinois. Classes range from small groups to large auditoriums and can be customized for each client’s needs. Attendees of Julie’s seminars have described her classes as some of the most useful and worthwhile classes they have ever attended. She is an engaging speaker who is able to weave real-life examples of cases she has handled over the years into her presentations. Julie’s specialty is sexual harassment prevention training, which she has been providing for over 25 years.
Julie is an active member of both the Chicago area legal community and her local community at home. She serves on the Employment Law Committee for the Illinois Association of Defense Counsel (IDC) and the Defense Research Institute. She also serves as President of Friends of Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook. Julie has previously served as the President of the Glenview District 34 PTA Council, Vice-President of the Westbrook/Glen Grove PTA, and served as a board member of the Glenview Education Foundation. Julie has also served as an Arbitrator for the Cook County Mandatory Arbitration Program. In her spare time, Julie enjoys CrossFit, hot yoga, and cheering on her beloved Northwestern Wildcats.
EDUCATION
- Loyola University of Chicago, J.D., 1993 (Dean’s List; Student Articles Editor of Loyola Law Journal)
- Northwestern University, B.A., 1989
ADMISSIONS
- United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
- Illinois
SAMPLE REPRESENTATIONS
- Nelson v. Village of Morton, 17 CV 1311, United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. Former police dispatcher claimed that the Village discriminated against her in violation of the ADA, failed to accommodate her disability and retaliated against her for her complaints of sexual harassment. Summary judgment entered in favor of defendant as to all federal claims.
- Hoekstra v. City of Momence, 17 CV 2040, United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. Former police officer claimed age discrimination in violation of the ADEA, Section 1983 equal protection, and Title VII retaliation. Summary judgment entered in favor of defendants as to all federal claims.
- Lyons v. Stephenson County, 16 CV 50300, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Former corrections officer claimed that the Sheriff’s Office violated the Family Medical Leave Act following her pregnancy leave. Summary judgment entered in favor of defendants as to all claims.
- Warren v. Kendall County Sheriff, 15-CV-496, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Former corrections deputy brought claims of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, Section 1983 equal protection, and retaliation. Jury verdict entered in favor of all defendants following two week trial.
- Jones v. St. Clair County, 15 CV 574, United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Arrestee brought a Section 1983 conspiracy claim, Fourth Amendment unlawful arrest, and state law claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Summary judgment entered in favor of clients as to all claims.
- Stallings v. Johnson City, 13 CV 422, United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Former water clerk for city claimed deprivation of her due process rights in connection with her termination for alleged theft. Jury verdict entered in favor of all defendants following six day trial.
- Scruggs v. Fairview Heights, 13 CV 1088, United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Arrestee brought Fourth Amendment claim that he was stopped and arrested without probable cause and the stop constituted an unreasonable search and seizure; and a claim that defendants violated his Fourteenth Amendment equal protection rights by stopping him because he is African American. Summary judgment entered in favor of all defendants on all claims.
- Henderson v. County of Douglas, 12 CV 2180, United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. Former employee in the State’s Attorney’s Office claimed that she was terminated in retaliation for seeking an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and that the State’s Attorney failed to accommodate her medical condition. Jury verdict in favor of defendants following four day trial.
- Holliday v. Trooper Ramert, 12 CV 1060, United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Arrestee brought Section 1983 claim of failure to intervene against a police officer when a state trooper allegedly used excessive force to arrest the plaintiff. Summary judgment entered in favor of client police officer on all claims.
- Armstrong v. City of Belleville, 12 CV 1171, United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Citizen claimed excessive force when he was tasered after he was acting erratically and walked into traffic. Summary judgment entered in favor of defendants.
- Porus v. County of Kendall, 12 CV 9243, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Former corrections deputy claimed sexual harassment against Sheriff’s Office. Summary judgment entered in favor of defendants.
- Harris v. Calumet Park, 11 CV 8435, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Female police officer claimed that she was harassed and discriminated against because of her gender and retaliated against for her complaints. Summary judgment entered in favor of defendants on all claims.
- Harper v. Fulton County, 10 CV 1423, United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. County treasurer sued the county board claiming gender discrimination with respect to her pay. Summary judgment entered in favor of defendants on all claims. Judgment for defendants affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Case No. 13-2553.
- Hensler v. City of O’Fallon, 09 CV 268, United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Former police dispatcher claimed City discriminated against her based on her disability in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and retaliated against her based on her complaints of discrimination. Verdict in favor of defendants following a two day trial.
- United States v. Henry County, 09 CV 4015, United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. United States Department of Justice filed suit on behalf of former county employee who claimed that her supervisor sexually harassed her and the county failed to take prompt action to remedy the harassment. Jury verdict in favor of defendants following a two day trial.
- Groszek v. Village of Calumet Park, 09 CV 6240, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Former police officer claimed that the chief of police engaged in race, age, disability, and retaliatory discrimination by constructively discharging him. Summary judgment entered in favor of defendants on all claims.
- Raab v. Jo Daviess County, 08 CV 50087, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Sheriff’s deputy claimed deprivation of his right to free speech pursuant to the First Amendment, as well as state law claims for false light and intentional infliction of emotional distress against the Sheriff’s Office and supervisory employees. Summary judgment entered in favor of all defendants.
- Hernandez v. City of Belleville, 08 CV 925, United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Section 1983 equal protection claim brought by a citizen against the police. Summary judgment entered in favor of defendants on all claims.
- Shakir v. Rend Lake College, 08 CV 768, United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Former college vice president sued college board of trustees following his demotion and alleged the board’s refusal to name him college president was due to his race, religion and national origin and in retaliation for his complaints. Summary judgment entered in favor of defendants as to all claims.
- Brown v. Waukegan Township, 04 CV 1289, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Earnfare worker claimed that the Township violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to accommodate his disability. Jury verdict in favor of defendants following two day trial. Judgment affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, No.08 3130.
- Wenskunas v. Sheriff of Bureau County, 02-1288, United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois. Arrestee claimed excessive force against sheriff’s deputies. Jury verdict in favor of defendants on all claims following multi-day trial.
SAMPLE APPELLATE COURT DECISIONS IN FAVOR OF CLIENTS
- Callico v. City of Belleville, 5-06-0358, Illinois Appellate Court, Fifth District.
- Harper v. Fulton County, 13-2553, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
- Messner v. Calderone, 11-2099 and 10-1816, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
- Stockwell v. City of Harvey, 09-2355, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
- Hefley v. Village of Calumet Park, 06-3130, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
- Brown v. City of North Chicago, 08-3130, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
- Nagle v. Village of Calumet Park, 07-1157, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
- Woods v. Perry County, 02-3717, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
- Owoseni v. City of Belleville, 02-2219, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.