Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP: King Alan S

In today's intricate business landscape, navigating labor and employment law can be one of the most significant challenges for employers across Illinois. From complex class actions and discrimination claims to high-stakes workplace investigations, having legal counsel that is not only profoundly knowledgeable but also highly strategic and results-oriented is absolutely essential. For businesses and organizations throughout Illinois, particularly those operating in the dynamic Chicago metropolitan area, Alan S. King, a distinguished Partner and First Deputy Counsel at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila (RSHC), stands as a leading authority in this critical field. His extensive experience and acclaimed reputation make him a premier choice for comprehensive labor and employment legal services.

Alan S. King is a renowned labor and employment lawyer with over three decades of experience advising and defending clients in individual and class action litigation. Having previously held a significant role at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (which later merged to become Faegre Drinker), he now leads the Labor & Employment practice at RSHC, a firm celebrated for its client-focused approach and innovative legal solutions. Mr. King is not only an accomplished trial lawyer known for handling high-stakes cases for businesses across various industries—including retail, airlines, healthcare, telecommunications, and education—but he is also a certified mediator and a member of the American Arbitration Association's (AAA) National Panel of Employment Arbitrators. This unique blend of litigation prowess and alternative dispute resolution expertise allows him to guide clients toward favorable resolutions, whether through protracted litigation or efficient settlement. For Illinois employers, engaging with Alan S. King means partnering with a legal professional who brings a wealth of strategic insight, a commitment to fairness and civility, and a proven track record of success in the most challenging employment-related disputes.

Location and Accessibility

Alan S. King practices from the Chicago office of Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila, which is centrally located and highly accessible for clients throughout Illinois. The firm's main Chicago address is:

191 N Wacker Dr # 3700, Chicago, IL 60606, USA

This prestigious address places the firm within the vibrant heart of downtown Chicago, known for its concentration of legal, financial, and corporate businesses. North Wacker Drive is a prominent thoroughfare offering excellent connectivity to various parts of the city and surrounding suburbs. For those utilizing public transportation, the office building is ideally situated within close walking distance of several CTA 'L' train stations, including stops for the Brown, Pink, Purple, Orange, and Green Lines. This provides seamless access for clients commuting from diverse Chicago neighborhoods and from many suburban areas served by Metra commuter rail lines. Additionally, numerous bus routes serve the Wacker Drive corridor and surrounding streets, further enhancing public transit options. For clients who choose to drive, while downtown Chicago parking requires planning, there are multiple parking garages available in the immediate vicinity, making it feasible to attend appointments. The office building at 191 N Wacker Dr provides a professional and discreet environment, ensuring comfort and privacy for clients during their sensitive legal discussions. This accessible location underscores RSHC's commitment to providing premier legal services within convenient reach for businesses and employers across the state of Illinois.

Services Offered

Alan S. King's extensive experience and prominent role at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila position him as a leading legal resource for employers across a wide spectrum of labor and employment law matters. His practice areas are comprehensive, addressing both preventative counsel and robust litigation defense. While it is always advisable to consult directly with RSHC for the most detailed and current list of services, based on his distinguished public profile, Mr. King's services primarily include:

• Labor & Employment Litigation: Representing employers in individual and class action lawsuits in federal and state courts nationwide. This includes defending against claims related to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower actions, wage and hour disputes, and breach of contract.
• Workplace Investigations: Conducting high-stakes and sensitive internal workplace investigations, often involving C-Suite and senior management personnel, to address allegations of misconduct or legal violations.
• Employment Law Counseling: Regularly advising clients on a broad range of employment law issues to ensure compliance and mitigate risk, covering topics like hiring practices, employee policies, terminations, non-competition agreements, and trade secrets.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Utilizing his expertise as a certified mediator and a member of the American Arbitration Association's National Panel of Employment Arbitrators to help parties resolve employment-related disputes efficiently through arbitration, mediation, and settlement conferences, often avoiding protracted and costly litigation.
• Representation Before Administrative Agencies: Advocating for employers before federal, state, and local administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and state human rights departments.
• Restrictive Covenants and Trade Secrets: Handling matters involving non-competition agreements, confidentiality agreements, and the protection of trade secrets.

Mr. King's holistic approach, combining his strong litigation skills with a deep passion for dispute resolution, ensures that clients receive tailored and effective strategies to navigate their most critical labor and employment challenges.

Features / Highlights

Alan S. King's reputation as a premier labor and employment attorney is built upon a multitude of impressive features and highlights, making him a highly sought-after legal professional for employers across Illinois:

• Decades of Experience: With over three decades of experience, Mr. King brings a profound depth of knowledge and a seasoned perspective to every case, having navigated countless complex employment law issues across various industries.
• Leading the Labor & Employment Team: As the Lead of RSHC's Labor & Employment Practice Team, he guides a dedicated group of legal professionals, ensuring consistent excellence and strategic alignment in all client matters.
• Dual Expertise in Litigation and ADR: Uniquely, Alan is not only an accomplished trial lawyer who handles high-stakes employment litigation but also a certified mediator and an appointed arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. This dual capability allows him to strategically assess the best path to resolution—whether in court or through alternative dispute methods—often leading to more efficient and favorable outcomes for clients.
• Highly Strategic and Results-Oriented: Clients and peers recognize him as a "highly strategic and results-oriented advocate." This focus ensures that legal efforts are precisely targeted to achieve the client's business objectives and mitigate risks effectively.
• Recognized Industry Leader: His consistent inclusion in prestigious lists such as "The Best Lawyers in America," "Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers," and "Crain's Chicago Business Notable Litigators & Trial Attorneys" (including being named a "Notable Black Leader" multiple times) underscores his preeminent standing in the legal community.
• Experience Across Diverse Industries: He has represented employers across a wide array of industries, including retail, airlines, healthcare, telecommunications, education, and financial services, providing him with a broad understanding of sector-specific employment challenges.
• Commitment to Fairness and Civility: As a third-party neutral, he is frequently chosen based on his "reputation for fairness and civility," highlighting his ethical approach and ability to foster constructive discussions even in contentious disputes.
• Thoughtful Counselor and Guide: Clients view him as a "thoughtful counselor with the unique ability to guide clients to favorable resolutions," indicating a holistic approach that prioritizes the client's long-term interests beyond just the immediate legal battle.

These exceptional features solidify Alan S. King's position as a trusted and effective legal partner for employers in Illinois.

Promotions or Special Offers

As a highly distinguished and experienced attorney specializing in complex labor and employment law, Alan S. King at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila does not typically offer "promotions" or "special offers" in the conventional retail sense. The value provided by a legal professional of his caliber is rooted in his extensive expertise, strategic counsel, and proven ability to navigate intricate and high-stakes legal challenges for employers.

However, for businesses and organizations in Illinois seeking elite legal representation in labor and employment matters, working with Alan S. King and RSHC offers inherent benefits and professional arrangements that can be considered invaluable:

• Strategic Consultations: While specific billing for initial consultations will vary based on the complexity of the inquiry and the firm's policy, engaging in a consultation with an attorney of Mr. King's stature provides unparalleled strategic insight into potential legal issues and pathways to resolution. This initial interaction is critical for assessing legal risks and planning effective defenses.
• Tailored Legal Solutions: Rather than generic offers, clients receive highly customized legal strategies designed to meet their specific business objectives and address their unique labor and employment challenges. This bespoke approach often leads to more efficient and cost-effective outcomes in the long run.
• Value Through Risk Mitigation and Favorable Outcomes: The primary "offer" from Mr. King and RSHC is their ability to mitigate significant legal risks, defend against costly litigation, and achieve favorable resolutions, whether through successful trial defense, strategic settlements, or effective alternative dispute resolution. Their expertise can save businesses substantial financial and reputational costs.
• Proactive Compliance Guidance: Beyond reactive litigation, Mr. King provides proactive advice on employment law issues, helping clients to implement best practices, comply with evolving regulations, and thereby prevent future disputes and liabilities. This preventative counsel is a long-term investment in legal health.
• Access to Extensive Firm Resources: Engaging with RSHC provides access to the full resources of a top-tier law firm, including specialized legal research, paralegal support, and a collaborative team approach, all of which contribute to comprehensive and robust legal representation.

For detailed information regarding their fee structures for specific types of labor and employment matters, and to discuss your unique business needs, it is highly recommended to contact Alan S. King's office at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila directly.

Contact Information

If you are an employer or business in Illinois seeking highly experienced and strategic legal counsel for complex labor and employment matters, including litigation, workplace investigations, or compliance advice, you can reach out to Alan S. King at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila using the following contact details:

Address: 191 N Wacker Dr # 3700, Chicago, IL 60606, USA

Phone: (312) 569-1334

Mobile Phone: +1 312-569-1334

Connecting with his office directly via phone is the most efficient way to discuss your specific legal needs, inquire about his availability for a consultation, and begin the process of addressing your labor and employment challenges with an expert.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For businesses and employers across Illinois, particularly those operating in the bustling Chicago metropolitan area, Alan S. King at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila stands as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended legal partner for all labor and employment law needs. His office, strategically located on North Wacker Drive in Chicago, offers excellent accessibility, ensuring that premier legal expertise is within convenient reach for local businesses. This central location facilitates easy access via public transport and major road networks, which is essential for busy corporate clients.

What truly makes Alan S. King ideal for the local business community is his unparalleled depth of experience, strategic acumen, and versatile approach to labor and employment law. With over three decades in the field, including leading a significant practice group at a top-tier firm like RSHC, he brings a level of insight and trial readiness that is critical for navigating complex issues like class actions, discrimination claims, and sensitive workplace investigations. For Illinois employers, this translates into peace of mind, knowing that their most challenging employment disputes are in the hands of an attorney who is not only a skilled litigator but also an accomplished mediator and arbitrator, capable of finding the most efficient and favorable resolutions.

His consistent recognition by esteemed legal publications and peer organizations further underscores his high professional standing and trusted expertise within the Illinois legal landscape. When facing the complexities of workforce management, compliance, or high-stakes employment litigation, Alan S. King offers the precise blend of strategic advice, proactive risk mitigation, and robust defense that local businesses require to protect their interests and maintain a thriving operation. He is more than just a lawyer; he is a crucial strategic ally for employers in our state.